With fall’s arrival, the theatre department’s seasonal productions are just around the corner and this year they are bringing a classic to the stage. This year’s play, Anne of Green sets itself apart from the other productions by being a unique period piece and the only play within a group of one-acts. The theatre department is bringing this popular piece to life, telling Anne’s original story. An orphan child with a big personality and heart, living and learning with her adoptive family in a new community.
“It is about a mischievous orphan who gets adopted by a brother and sister, Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. Anne has never had a real home and this is her first opportunity to even gain that. She is mischievous and dramatic, but she is all heart,” Theatre Director Margret Hubbard said.
The play takes place during Anne’s formative years through the perspective of Marilla and her recollection of the past. It takes the original story and its more important parts and shows them through her memories.
“The play takes place from when she is about age eleven to sixteen. It is almost like a memory play because it starts as a flashback for Marilla and it takes the story that we know of Anne of Green Gables like the classic book and picks out the key pieces,” Hubbard said.
Hubbard feels like this play fits well within this year’s light and love theme. The overall positive message and storytelling through hard times and found family make her feel that this is a good fit for this year’s cast.
“Anne of Green Gables has this positive message of being, owning, accepting and loving yourself. She finds family, friends and the strength to get through hard and trying times in your life,” Hubbard said.
People are going to be coming into the play with preconceptions from the more popular current version, which is not dissimilar to the source material but not exactly the same. Because their version of the play is closer to the classic, they are hoping to do right by the story and give people a new perspective.
“Usually, when you do something, well-known people come in with expectations. If they have seen things like Anne with an “E” on Netflix, they make lots of comparisons between the two. So I hope we are able to give that classic story justice and everyone likes it,” Hubbard said.
Cast members have felt that this year’s play fits in well with the light and love theme. They feel like the roles are good opportunities to try something new and really get into character.
“I feel like it absolutely fits this year’s theme. Honestly, at first I did not want to be in this show, but after really reading through it and immersing myself in it I really came to love it and I am really looking forward to working with everyone,” senior Connor Holmes said.
Cast members are excited to play the roles that they were given. Most feel like this is a good opportunity for them to learn something new and are happy to do things that they are not used to.
“I love the role I was given. When I first learned about Anne of Green Gables and I learned about the show, I knew that if I ever did the play, I would want to play Rachel because I love her as a character. I feel like I have a lot to learn from this role. This is my first show with a major speaking role and Rachel has more lines than my previous roles and she is kind of an important character to the story,” senior CK Konyeha said.
Opening night is Nov. 6 and the play will run until the seventh which will start at 7 p.m. with a $5 admission fee at the door which will go towards funding for the theatre department.
