L. M. Montgomery's books have
been brought to life upon the stage in yet another contribution to her lasting
legacy. So far I have seen "Anne
of Green Gables - The Musical" and "Anne
and Gilbert." Both of
these musicals are wonderful! Thank you to John Tonner for information
on two of the Anne plays. If anyone knows of other plays and musicals which should
be added to the list, please send me an email.
Anne of Green Gables Plays and Musicals
"Anne
of Green Gables" (1937) - a play by Wilbur Braun
(pseud.
Alice Chadwicke)
" Anne of Avonlea" (1940) - a play by James Reach
(pseud.
Jeanette Carlisle)
"Anne
of Green Gables" (external link) - play adapted by Jody
Davidson. Available for production from ENCORE Performance Publishing.
"Anne
of Green Gables - The Musical" (1965, external link) -
The longest running musical in Canada. It has been performed on stage since
its premiere in 1965. Written by Don Harron, composed by Norman Campbell
with lyrics by Elaine Campbell and Mavor Moore.
" Anne of Green Gables" (1992) - play adapted by
Sylvia Ashby. Available from Baker's Plays.
"Anne of Green Gables" (1991) - play adapted by
R.N. Sandberg by Anchorage Press Plays.
"Anne
of Green Gables" (external
link, 1997) - play by Joseph Robinette. It is available from Dramatic Publishing.
"Anne
of Avonlea" (external link) - a play adapted by Joseph
Robinette. Available for production from Dramatic Publishing. The premise
is Anne is
applying to Redmond and has to write an autobiography. She can't figure exactly
what to write, but after a discussion with Marilla she decides to "talk
it out." The story then is unfolded as her memory of what had happened
to her. There is some retelling of the basic story from Anne of Green
Gables but the bulk of the play is set during Anne of Avonlea.
It includes the A.V.I.S., Mr. Harrison's cow, Thomas Lynde's death, Davy
and Dora's adventures, and most of the rest of the book.
"Anne
of Green Gables" (1997,
external
link) - Musical by Joseph Robinette with lyrics by Evelyn Swensson. It is
available from Dramatic Publishing.
"Anne" adapted by Paul Ledoux (1998)
"Anne … with
and "E"– The Green Gables Musical" (1998,
external Link) - Musical by Neil K. Newell and C. Michael Perry. This production
is through ENCORE Performance Publishing at www.encoreplay.com. Music downloads
available on their website.
"Anne and Gilbert" (2005)
- a musical by Bob Johnston and Nancy White (composers and co-lyricists)
and Jeff Hochhauser (librettist and co-lyricist)
"Anne
of Green Gables" (2007, external link) - musical by
Gretchen Cryer (Book and Lyrics) and Nancy Ford (Music)
"Anne
of Green Gables" (2007, external link) adapted by Peter
DeLaurier.
Emily of New Moon Plays and Musicals
"Emily
of New Moon" (1998, external link) - a play written and
adapted by Hank Stinson for The Castle Co., a P.E.I. based musical theatre
company that has brought many of Montgomery's works to the stage.
Emily: the Musical (1999) by librettist-lyricist Richard
Ouzounian and Marek Norman. This musical based on the
three books in the Emily series debuted at Charlottetown in 1999.
Other Productions Based on L.M. Montgomery's Works
"The Wooden Hill" (1994), written by Don Hannah,
is based on L. M. Montgomery's
journals and life.
"Songs
of the Island" - a musical written and adapted
by Hank
Stinson for The Castle Co.. This is
a tribute to L. M. Montgomery with excerpts from Emily
of New Moon, Rainbow Valley, The Blue Castle and The
Alpine Path, and the lyrics
for "Peace" were written by L.M. Montgomery
in 'Prince Edward Island,' The Spirit of Canada 1939.
"The
Blue Castle" (1997, external link) - a play written and
adapted by Hank Stinson for The Castle Co.
" Rainbow
Valley" (1999, external link) - a play written and adapted
by Hank Stinson for The Castle Co.
"The Strike at Putney Church" (2005) - play by
Eliza Jane Wilson, based on a short story by L.M. Montgomery
External Links (will open in new windows):
ANNE
and GILBERT, The Musical
"Anne
of Green Gables - The Musical," The
Confederation Centre - links to a history and schedule of the musical
The
Castle Co.
Prince
Edward Island Government page - summarizes many details of the
LMM theatre productions
Encyclopedia of Music in Canada
Last Updated 10.28.07
© An L.M. Montgomery Resource Page and TickledOrange.com
