ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, A New Folk Rock Musical Will Launch At The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival

Next up this summer at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival (FLMTF) is Anne of Green Gables: A New Folk Rock Musical. Book and lyrics by Matte O'Brien and music by Matt Vinson. The show runs July 5 through July 25 at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Emerson Park and is presented by special arrangement with Justin Nichols.

Anne of Green Gables is directed by Jenn Thompson (Off Broadway: Abundance, Natural Affection, Lost in Yonkers, Oklahoma! at Goodspeed Opera House) with Jennifer Jancuska (Broadway: Hamilton, Off Broadway: FMK, Regional: One Hit Wonder) as Choreographer and Amanda Morton (Off Broadway: KPOP, Malpractice Makes Perfect, Regional: A Year with Frog & Toad, The Secret Garden) as Music Director. Anne of Green Gables will feature scenic design by Wilson Chin (Broadway: Next Fall, Cost of Living, Regional: Lucia di Lammermoor, A Florentine Tragedy), lighting design by Phillip Rosenberg (Broadway: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, The Elephant Man, It's Only a Play), sound design by Miles Polaski (Fulfillment at The Flea Theater, Xanadu at American Theater Company), costume design by Tracy Christensen (Broadway: Sunset Boulevard, Off Broadway: Pride and Prejudice), and wig design by Al Annotto (Broadway: Wicked, Into the Woods, The Phantom of the Opera). Orchestrations by Justin Goldner (Deathless at Godspeed Opera House, Bubble Boy, Broadway: Dear Evan Hansen).

Anne of Green Gables appears at the Festival direct from four sold out performances at the company's new works program, "The PiTCH." This modern but reverent adaptation tells the beloved tale of the world-renowned novel (by Lucy M. Montgomery) with a contemporary and bold twist, blending folk-rock, pop, gospel, and musical theatre into its score.

Producing Artistic Director Brett Smock states, "With their presentation at The PiTCH last summer, it was clear that the style and strength of this ANNE OF GREEN GABLES was a perfect match for our search for cross generational material and our investment in new musicals. This show will be the first musical to bridge our development stage with our production stage, bringing to life the tangible path in place here at the Festival for the development of new musicals. Matt and Matte have created a version that is very much of today -- smart, fresh and relevant. Add to that a brilliant creative team and this will be an ANNE unlike anything you've ever seen."

Mckenzie Custin (National tour: All Hands on Deck, Regional: Newsies and Mary Poppins at Centenary Stage Co.) makes her festival debut as titular character Anne Shirley; with Nancy Anderson (Broadway: Sunset Boulevard, A Wonderful Life, Wonderful Town, A Class Act) and D.C. Anderson (Broadway: The Phantom of the Opera, National tour: The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Pippin, Martin Guerre, The Phantom of the Opera) as siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert; Chris McCarrell (Broadway: Les Misérables, Off Broadway: The Lightning Thief) as Gilbert Blythe and Michelle Veintimilla (Broadway: The Visit) as Diana Barry. Dawn Troupe will be playing the role of Rachel Lynde; with Alan Ariano as Mr. Blythe/Mr. Phillips and Angela Travino as Mrs. Barry/Miss Stacy.

The ensemble will feature: Avery Sobczak (Jude/Mr. Edwards), Bridget Elise Yingling (Prissy), David Socolar (Fred Wright), Dillan Smith (Moody), Jarred Bedgood (Charlie Sloan), Olivia Griffin (Ruby), Shawn Fisher (Melody), and Theresa Rowley (Josie Pye/Lucilla Harris).

The 60th Anniversary season also includes Holiday Inn, Murder for Two, and Beehive. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 315-255-1785 or toll free at 1-800-457-8897, and online at FingerLakesMTF.com.

Headquartered in Auburn, NY, the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival is a dynamic arts organization committed to creating theatrical experiences at the highest levels of artistic integrity. It leverages the power of the arts as a tool for entertainment, education, social awareness and cultural development in its community and in the region. The Festival is situated in the picturesque Finger Lakes wine region of Central New York. Four hours from NYC and situated between Syracuse, Rochester and Ithaca, the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival is one of the largest producing musical theatre organizations in New York State, outside of New York City. Find Merry Go Round Finger Lakes Music Theatre on Facebook, follow @FingerLakesMTF on Twitter and Instagram and visit www.FingerLakesMTF.com.

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