Charlottetown – The Confederation Centre of the Arts is gearing up for the 2008 Charlottetown Festival season! Cast members from across Canada are busy in rehearsals for the Festival’s ever-popular Anne of Green Gables - The Musical™ which opens with a gala event on June 14.
The world-famous Anne ™, back for its 44th consecutive year at the Charlottetown Festival, features Amy Wallis returning for her third turn as the Island’s favourite redhead. Janet MacEwen and Sandy Winsby also return for their third seasons as Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, respectively.
Making her debut appearance at the Festival in the role of Diana Barry, Anne’s kindred spirit, is Kathryn Ballantine. There is a new Gilbert Blythe in Avonlea this year, played by Matt Wagman, who returns for his second season on the Mainstage at the Charlottetown Festival. Wagman appeared as male swing in Anne™ last year and was a major player in The British Invasion! including playing the narrator, Phil Collins, and the lead in The Hollies.
Charlottetown Festival favourite Charlotte Moore returns as well-loved community busybody Mrs. Rachel Lynde.
New faces in Anne™ this year include April Cook as Tillie Boulter; Alana Hibbert as Lucilla and Mrs. MacPherson; Kara Purdy as Prissy Andrews, and Derek Wiens as Cecil, the Farmer. Lisa Messina returns to the Festival after five years in the role of Gertie Pye, and Wade Lynch returns to the role of Mr. Phillips, the Schoolmaster, a role he last played two years ago.
John Edwards, a member of the 2000 Young Company, and returning cast member Robin Calvert are the male and female swings.
Returning to the production are; Gabriel Antonacci as Moody MacPherson; Andrew Barley as Charlie Sloane; Danielle Benton as Ruby Gillis; Gerrad Everard as The Minister; Terry Hatty as Earl, the Mailman and The Stationmaster; Zak Kearns as Willie Boulter; Glenda Landry as Mrs. Sloane and Mrs. Spencer; Julain Molnar as Mrs. Gillis and schoolteacher Miss Stacy; Laura Nason switches to the role of Josie Pye; Kristen Peace as Mrs. Barry and Mrs. Blewett; Shawna van Omme as Mrs. Pye; and Kyle Young as Tommy Sloane.
Playing on selected dates from June 12 to September 27, Anne™ tells the poignant and funny story of the redheaded orphan who comes to live - by mistake - with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert in Avonlea. Based on L.M. Montgomery's 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables, the show is written by Don Harron and composed by Norman Campbell with lyrics by Don Harron, Norman Campbell, Elaine Campbell and Mavor Moore.
Anne Allan, artistic director for The Charlottetown Festival, once again is director and choreographer for Anne™. Donald Fraser is music director.
Half price preview performances of Anne™ are on June 12 and 13. The gala opening on June 14 caps a day full of celebrations at the Confederation Centre of the Arts marking the centenary of the novel. Tickets are available at the Confederation Centre’s Box Office at 1-800-565-0278 or online at www.charlottetownfestival.com.
The Charlottetown Festival is sponsored by APM Group. Media sponsors for the Festival are The Guardian, CTV, K-ROCK and Ocean 100.
Cutline: Amy Wallis as Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™, 2008, photo by Louise Vessey.
-30-
Media contact: Dan Wall, publicist, Confederation Centre of the Arts, phone (902) 628-6135
Email: confederationcentre.com, web www.confederationcentre.com
Or, Megan Gauthier, PR assistant, phone (902) 628-1864 ext 315, email confederationcentre.com