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BWW: Reviews ANNE OF GREEN GABLES Always A Favorite
By: Teresa Rodrick Apr. 03, 2014
I have always loved ANNE (with an 'e') OF GREEN GABLES since I was a little girl. I still own all 8 books and the three movies that were made starring Megan Follows. I was very excited to find out that Encore Theatre, etc was producing the play by Alice Chadwicke based on the novels by L.M. Montgomery, as I had not yet seen the play.
The theatre has a proscenium stage with a large curved thrust. Upon entering the auditorium, the curtains were closed and there was a table with chairs. This is where the first scene takes place and the curtains open and it helps to change scenes seamlessly as it becomes the table at the Cuthbert's house. Based on the fact that there were only these two locations and the scene changes were minor, this play is based on language and character.
My favorite character has always been quite, shy Matthew Cuthbert. I loved him in the books and I loved him in the movie. You know how sometimes when you see the movie version you get that actor in your head as "that character" forever? Well, Richard Farnsworth was Matthew for me. I have to say though that Greg Loper was an excellent Matthew Cuthbert for the stage. He had that same twinkle of mischief in his eye. I thought Marilla Cuthbert (portrayed by Lisa Mathot) and Anne Shirley (Raven Weinstein) were great as well. And I want to give kudos to two of the supporting actors: Kathleen Rogers-Roy and Diana Caylor, who both were full of character and played their roles well.
Poor Anne Shirley, she starts life as an orphan never feeling wanted. She grew up reading lovely stories and books and her imagination is full and rich. She gets mistakenly placed with the Cuthberts: an old bachelor and his spinster sister and brings havoc and much needed love to their lives.
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES is a family show. Everyone is sure to enjoy seeing the red-headed Anne Shirley, spelled with an 'e'. She is sure to bring a smile to your face as she did to the audience's the night I saw it.
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