Anne of Green Gables: The Musical, based on the novel by L. M. Montgomery, welcomes everyone for a full-scale in-person production to Gateway Theatre in Richmond, until December 31st. After the last seasons of digital or scaled-down festive seasons, Gateway brings back its much-loved annual Holiday production, with a production about a much-loved redhead.
Staring Kyra Leroux (Riverdale) as orphan Anne “with an e” Shirley, who is taken in by Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, played by Katey Wright and Anthony Santiago, an older sister & brother from fictional, Avonlea, PEI. Needing help on their farm, Green Gables, after Matthew suffered a heart attack, they request a boy from the orphanage but warming to the bright, chatty, self-deprecating, hot-headed young girl they decide to let her stay instead of sending her back. Soon Anne is making fast friends with neighbour Diana Barry (Scotia Browner) as they navigate life and school in Avonlea. Save for some school teasing from rival Gilbert Blythe (Angus Yam) and other shenanigans, soon more of the villagers take a shine to her helping Anne to grow in confidence and become a part of the community.
Directed by Barbara Tomasic, the dynamic ensembled cast, many of whom are also players in the on-stage band, feel like a real community. Just like the residents of Avonlea, the Gateway audiences coming back together as a community is something much needed after these last few years. Gathering to enjoy the communal experience of live theatre and the vibrant musical’s many emotions creates the intimate bond between all involved – artists and audience.
Much to the delight of the audience, the mix of seasoned Vancouver-area actors along with a large youth contingent, sing and dance their hearts out to the music of Norman Campbell with the book by Donald Harron. Her experience and vocal prowess shine through Ms Leroux’s charisma and fittingly youthful energy as the precocious Anne. Scotia Browner and Angus Yam also step up to the plate, as Anne’s bright-eyed compatriots, while Katey Wright, Anthony Santiago, Jennifer Long, Katie-Rose Connors, Caitriona Murphy, Felix Leblance lend voice to the ‘grown-ups’ of Avonlea. Nicol Spinola’s group choreography, buoyed by the youthful vigor of the schoolkids, has a spontaneous joy to the pieces.
Fall in love with Green Gables and the folks of Avonlea as Anne of Green Gables: The Musical plays at Gateway Theatre until December 31st.
Special performances include;
December 21st 1:30pm performance the Richmond Public Library will be present in the Gateway Theatre lobby. Patrons can check out Anne of Green Gables‘ books, as well as other holiday-themed books for all ages.
December 30th 7:30pm performance features live audio description.