Louie Rossetti may have played the part of Gilbert Blythe before, but he’s looking forward to doing it on the stage where Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™ was born in 1965.
“I’m so excited to perform where the play was created,” the Riverview, N.B., native commented recently on his reprisal with a new cast, a new perspective and in a new place – well, new to him. “I’m really looking forward to joining the Festival and those who have been doing it for so many years.”
Rossetti filled the role of Gilbert in a 2006 production of Anne™ at the King’s Wharf Theatre and Drayton Festival, Penetanguishene, Ont., to positive reviews. Not one to rest on his laurels, though, Rossetti is looking forward to tackling the role again.
“I’m looking forward to bringing my new life experiences to the role. I have more maturity and experience, and a better understanding of relationships,” he said.
Experience and maturity will definitely come in handy when he faces the formidable task of playing Beatle Paul McCartney in the Confederation Centre’s production The British Invasion: A Musical Revue. “It’s a bit nerve-wracking,” he admits, laughing. “But I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait to sing their music.”
Rossetti decided he wanted to try acting at the tender age of ten, after watching his older brothers Paul and David perform in a high school play. He got his first taste of the stage at the Burlington Student Theatre, where he trained and performed until he was 14. After high school, Rossetti attended the Sheridan Institute’s Music Theatre Performance Program in Ontario. He graduated this spring with a diploma in Musical Theatre.
While attending Sheridan, Rossetti appeared on the stage many times, including in the world premiere of Marathon of Hope as Greg, an amputee who has a brush with Terry Fox. He has also appeared in productions of Plane Crazy, She Loves Me, Forever Plaid and Where the Boys Are.
Rossetti is excited to be a part of Anne™; he has a great appreciation for the history of the production and P.E.I. itself. “Being surrounded by the culture that the play is based on is going to be a really magical experience,” he said, smiling.
Directed by Anne Allan, Anne of Green Gables - The Musical™ plays in the Mainstage Theatre on selected dates from June 18 to September 29, and The British Invasion: A Musical Revue on selected dates from June 19 to August 31. Donald Fraser is music director and conductor of the orchestra. For ticket reservations, contact the Confederation Centre’s box office at 1-800-565-0278 or visit www.confederationcentre.com. The Charlottetown Festival and The British Invasion are sponsored by APM group. Media sponsors for The Festival are The Guardian, CBC-TV and CBC Radio.
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