Photo Flash: Cast of BEND IN THE ROAD Celebrates Opening Night at Sardi's

BEND IN THE ROAD, a new musical comedy by Michael Upward and Benita Scheckel, celebrated its Opening Night earlier this week at Sardi's. BEND IN THE ROAD is an official selection of the New York Musical Theatre Festival's (NYMF) 2013 Next Link Project. Check out a look back at the evening below!

Under the direction of Benjamin Endsley Klein, the 14-member cast features Alison Woods (THE FANTASTICKS, "Big Love") as Anne Shirley, Martin Vidnovic (OKLAHOMA!, THE KING AND I, GUYS AND DOLLS, BRIGADOON, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, BABY), Jordan Barrow, Mimi Bessette (THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, BONNIE AND CLYDE), Brandon Essig, Kasie Gasparini, Justine Huxley (MAX AND RUBY),Anne Kanengeiser (RAGTIME, LITTLE WOMEN), Kevin Ligon (KISS ME, KATE, THE SECRET GARDEN), CJ Pawlikowski,Maureen Silliman (SHENANDOAH, I REMEMBER MAMA), Chelsea Stavis, Rachel Weintraub ("Saturday Night Live"), and Whitney Winfield (SHREK).

BEND IN THE ROAD is based on the classic novel ANNE OF GREEN GABLES and centers on young Anne Shirley, an orphan who is mistakenly adopted by siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. Although they had hoped for a boy to help with their Avonlea farm, Anne's joyous, intelligent and vivacious spirit changes the lives of all those around her, including Matthew, Marilla and nosy town gossip Mrs. Rachel Lynde. Anne finds fast friendships at school, while her rivalry with handsome classmate Gilbert Blythe changes unexpectedly as they enter adulthood.