• Anne Shirley Home Page {v. 7} •

• Anne of Green Gables - The Musical^TM•

LATEST NEWS l BEGINNINGS: BRINGING ANNE TO THE STAGE l ITS CREATORS: IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR THEM l MUSICAL NUMBERS l SCENE SETTINGS l CHOIR & ORCHESTRATION l THEATRE TRIVIA l WEBSITES

Beginnings: Bringing Anne to the Stage
Anne of Green Gables - The Musical^TM came to life in a few whirlwind weeks in June 1965. The brand new Charlottetown Festival commissioned the show, based on an earlier CBC television special.

The stage version needed new scenes, songs, choreography, sets and costumes-not to mention a cast, musicians and a production team. It seemed an impossible task, yet, against all odds, Anne premiered to rave reviews. It has since become Canada’s most popular musical and is produced annually at the Charlottetown Festival where it continues to capture the hearts of Anne fans worldwide!

[Back to top]

Its Creators: If it Hadn't Been for Them
Anne of Green Gables - The Musical^TM would not exist without the artistic vision of its creative team.

	Donald Harron, Writer and Co-Lyricist Writer Don Harron hatched the idea of creating a musical of Anne of Green Gables while reading the book to his daughter. In penning the musical-first for television, then for the stage-he “ tried to be as faithful as possible to L. M. Montgomery’s story.” Three years ago, he adapted his own incredibly popular musical stage version of Anne of Green Gables for a cast of young people with physical disabilities. Named the Volunteer of the Year for all of North America in 1982, Mr. Harron has long supported and promoted organizations that help young people with disabilities. The received the Order of Ontario in 2000.
	Norman Campbell, Composer and Co-Lyricist The lilting melodies of Anne of Green Gables were composed by Norman Campbell. He worked closely with Mr. Harron to create the musical, but distance was an obstacle. Recalls Mr. Campbell: “We were in different cities, so we mostly composed over the phone”.
Elaine Campbell, Co-Lyricist Songwriter Elaine Campbell was in hospital, about to give birth, when she penned the words to “Gee, I’m Glad”. At the time, she says: “I never imagined that one day I would see the show performed in New York, London, or Osaka.”
	Mavor Moore, Artistic Director and Co-Lyricist It was artistic director Mavor Moore who brought Anne of Green Gables, the Musical to Charlottetown. He commissioned the stage version, negotiated the rights and headed the production team. On top of that, he wrote the lyrics to three songs. He was also the first Chair of the British Columbia Arts Council, he guided it through its formative years and left a legacy that will last for generations. Currently Research Professor in Fine Arts and Humanities at the University of Victoria, he has contributed generously to the cultural and artistic life of British Columbia. His passionate advocacy for and defence of the arts and his talents as an actor, producer, director and playwright are legendary. He recieved the Order of British Columbia in 1999.
Alan Lund, Stage Director and Choreographer The dance and staging that bring Anne of Green Gables, the Musical to life were created by Alan Lund. Although Mr. Lund was a seasoned choreographer, he had never directed a play before. Nevertheless, the original 1965 Anne staging is still in use today.

Bibliography:
Author's Last name, First name (unavailable). "The Creators of Anne of Green Gables - The MusicalTM." Confederation Centre of the Arts. 2005. Confederation Centre of the Arts. December 25, 2005. <http://www.confederationcentre.com/anne>.
Author's Last name, First name (unavailable). "The Order of Ontario - 2000 Recipients." Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration. 2002. Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration. December 25, 2005. <http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/citdiv/honours/order/order-winners00.htm>.
Author's Last name, First name (unavailable). "J. Mavor Moore - Victoria." Order of British Columbia. 2001. Government of British Columbia. December 25, 2005. <http://www.protocol.gov.bc.ca/protocol/prgs/obc/1999/1999_JMoore.htm>.

[Back to top]

Musical Numbers
ACT 1

Anne of Green Gables - Full Company
Great Workers for the Cause - Rachel Lynde and the Ladies
Where is Matthew Going? - The Ladies, Farmer and Mailman
Gee I'm Glad I'm No One Else But Me - Anne and Matthew
We Clearly Requested a Boy - Marilla, Anne and Matthew
The Facts - Anne, Mrs. Spencer, Mrs. Blewett and Marilla
Where'd Marilla Come From? - The Ladies, Farmer and Mailman
Humble Pie - Matthew and Anne
The Apology - Anne
Back to School Ballet - The Pupils
Avonlea We Love Thee - Mr. Phillips and the Pupils
Wondrin' - Gilbert
Did You Hear? - Josie, Mrs. Pye and the Townspeople
Ice Cream - Diana, Anne and Company
The Picnic - Diana, Anne and Company

ACT 2

Where Did the Summer Go To? - Gilbert and the Pupils
Kindred Spirits - Anne and Diana
Open the Window - Miss Stacy and the Pupils
The Words - Matthew
Open the Window (reprise) - Miss Stacy and the Pupils
Nature Hunt Ballet - The Pupils
I'll Show Him - Anne and Gilbert
General Store - Lucilla, Matthew and the Townspeople
Pageant Song - The Pupils
If It Hadn't Been for Me - The Company
There is a Golden Summer - Gilbert and the Pupils
Anne of Green Gables - Matthew
The Words (reprise) - Marilla
Wondrin' (reprise) - Anne and Gilbert

[Back to top]

Scene Settings
ACT 1

Outside the Schoolhouse
A road in Avonlea
Green Gables
The nature hunt
The store at Carmody
The Avonlea Schoolhouse

ACT 2

The church parlour
Bright River Railroad Station
Green Gables
A road in Avonlea
Mrs Blewett's house
The Avonlea Schoolhouse.
All over Town
The picnic site

Bibliography: Lewis, David. "Anne of Green Gables." The Guide to the Musical Theatre. 2005. The Guide to the Musical Theatre. December 25, 2005. <http://www.nodanw.com/shows_a/anne_of_green_gables>.

[Back to top]

Choir & Orchestration
Originally produced without "general company", the musical nevertheless offers some thirty roles of varying lengths: and who minds if twenty singers arrive when the script calls for a farmer, a townsman, and three ladies of Avonlea'? A vastly tuneful score uses harmony sparingly for voices making it all the more effective when it arrives. General company should sustain individual character throughout as "the good people of Avonlea". These, naturally, include the younger generation-the school pupils -who should be played as teenagers, not 'stage babes'. Dancing is an important feature of the performance.

Singing Principals

Anne Shirley
Marilla Cuthbert
Diana Barry
Josie Pye
Mrs Barry
Mrs Pye
Rachel Lynde
Lucilla (store-girl at Carmody)
Miss Stacy
Matthew Cuthbert
Gilbert Blythe

Other minor singing character

Ladies of Avonlea - Mrs MacPherson, Mrs Sloane, Mrs Spencer, Mrs Blewett,
Schoolgirls - Prissy Andrews, Ruby Gillis, Tillie Boulter, Gertie Pye
Schoolboys - Moody McPherson, Charlie Sloane, Tommy Sloane, Gerry Buote
The stationmaster, a farmer, a mailman, a townsman
The Minister - A visiting clergyman

Orchestration

1st Violin
2nd Violin
3rd Violin
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Flute
Oboe
2 Clarinets
Bassoon
2 Horns
2 Trumpets
Trombone
Drums
Harp
Percussion (xylophone, and other keyboard with dulcet tones [glockenspiel and vibes])

[Back to top]

Theatre Trivia

The publisher of Anne of Green Gables in the 1960s had little interest in the musical, thinking it impossible that a show in Charlottetown could have any impact on book sales.
In 1965, the show’s music was performed with only four instruments: two pianos, a trumpet and drums. The next year, a symphony was in the pit.
When the musical version of Anne of Green Gables premiered in 1965, it stimulated an international revival of interest in L.M. Montgomery’s works and in Prince Edward Island.
There has been over 70 world premiers shown since the 1965 season of The Charlottetown Festival.
The many different actresses who have portrayed Anne Shirley over the years are Jamie Ray, 1965 - 1967; Gracie Finley, 1968 - 1974, 1984, 1985; Malorie-Ann Spiller, 1975 - 1978; Susan Cuthbert, 1979 - 1980; Thea MacNeil, 1981 - 1983; Tracey Moore, 1986; Leisa Way, 1987 - 1990, 1993; Glynis Ranney, 1991, 1992; Tracy Michailidis, 1994 - 1996; Samantha Winstanley, 1997; Sharmaine Ryan, 1998 and 1999; Chilina Kennedy, 2000 - 2001; and Jennifer Toulmin, 2002 - 2003.
Anne of Green Gables - The Musical™ has performed at Expo '67 in Montreal, Expo '70 in Osaka, Expo'86 in Vancouver, New York's Broadway in 1972, London's West End as "Musical of the Year" in '69, an 8-city tour to Japan in '91, five Canadian coast to coast tours, and Ottawa in April-May '03.
In 2000, there were 26 roles in Anne of Green Gables - The Musical™.
As of the end of the 1999 season, there have been 2,025 performances on the Mainstage of the Confederation Centre of the Arts. At approximately 70% capacity, 1,513,000 people have attended the show at the Centre.

[Back to top]

Websites
Anne of Green Gables - The Musical™ - The Official Website

[Back to top]

Last updated: March 17, 2007
Back