Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables has been translated into 17 languages and adapted for television and theatre, while the musical adaptation has entertained over 3.3 million people worldwide, including a run on Broadway.
So how do you make a new production fresh and fun? For starters you’re going to need an engaging and dynamic actress to portray the spunky and pedantic east coast orphan who arrives at Green Gables in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island hoping to build a new life.
On that score, Drayton Entertainment couldn’t have done better than Danielle Wade. Winner of CBC’s hit reality TV series Over The Rainbow, Wade is no stranger to iconic roles. One of her first acting jobs was portraying Sandy in Grease. She has also played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz for Mirvish Productions, Ariel Moore in Drayton Entertainment’s Footloose and Cinderella on both stage and screen.
She gives a high-energy performance that includes careening several times from a 1,000-megawatt smile to full-blown tantrum in the space of an instant. Wade also displays a wide musical range, with a singing voice capable of soothing sweetness or raucous power as called upon.
Despite her disappointment at discovering her new guardians, elderly siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, had actually requested a boy, the mischievous but engaging Anne Shirley manages to charm her way into their hearts while winning over a village full of small town busybodies in the process.
Veteran actor Ted Simonett gives a touching performance as Matthew Cuthbert, who forms a special bond with Anne, while Susan Gilmour is impressive as the stricter sibling Marilla, who eventually succumbs to the orphan’s charm along with the rest of the community.
Colin Sheen gives a strong performance as Gilbert Blythe, who shyly courts Anne using the type of awkward reverse psychology tactics typical of most schoolboy Romeos.
Jade Repeta is excellent as Diana Barry, who becomes Anne’s best friend and shares her quirky spirit. Kaleigh Gorka provides a surly counterpart as Josie Pye, Anne’s rival for Gilbert’s affections.
Susan Johnston Collins displays good range as Mrs. Lynde, an interfering neighbour, providing the audience an outlet for, alternatively, outrage and comic relief.
Much of the play is set at Avonlea School, where David Cotton, as the stern schoolmaster, and Anwyn Musico, as upbeat teacher and mentor Miss Stacy, provide an interesting juxtaposition in Anne’s life.
The talented cast also includes, in smaller but still key roles, J. Sean Elliott, Kevin Etherington, Rachel Clark, June Crowley, JJ Gerber, Graeme Goodhall, Larry Herbert, Anna Hurshman, Patty Jamieson, Amanda Leigh, Sandra Mantini, Lily McEvenue, Luke Opdahl, Conor Scully and Christine Watson.
The Dunfield Theatre Cambridge has also engaged 30 area young people to serve as a children’s chorus, split into teams and performing on a rotating basis.
It’s no surprise that director Max Reimer has this cast hitting their marks with aplomb. The theatre veteran has directed 11 different productions of Anne of Green Gables around the world, including two touring productions to Japan.
Music director Nico Rhodes guides the ensemble cast through a musical score filled with several memorable numbers, while choreographer Lisa Stevens makes the most of an athletic group of dancers.
The settings, designed by Jean Claude Olivier, range from the Green Gables farmhouse to the local schoolyard and effectively transport the audience to Avonlea with an understated elegance suitable to the late-1800s time period.
Anne of Green Gables runs until Nov. 8 at the Dunfield Theatre. Tickets are $42 for adults and $25 for youth under 20. HST is applicable to all ticket prices. Tickets may be purchased online at www.dunfieldtheatrecambridge.com, in person at the box office, or by calling 519-621-8000 or toll free 1-855-372-9866.
