ANNE OF GREEN
GABLES is the kind of delightful entertainment the Wheelock Family Theatre does
best. The Campbell/Harron musical based on the L.M. Montgomery novel is kid
friendly and adult deep. ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (playing through November 18th)
is the loving story of a little orphan girl from Prince Edward Island who does not lack
reserve. Anne (with an “e”) always speaks her mind, much to the chagrin of the
elderly brother and sister who wanted a boy to help with the farm but quickly
fell in love with the spunky whirlwind.
Lucy Maud
Montgomery created a world where wrongs are soon righted and misunderstandings
soon straightened out…and sometimes adults are as naughty as children. Audiences
will respond to the lively songs and spirited antics of the young actors onstage
and no one, no one could resist Jennifer Beth Glick as Anne. Glick lights up
the musical with her unstoppable exuberance. Glick and Robert Saoud, as the
elderly farmer who adopts Anne, create a transcendent father-daughter
relationship, making the musical far more than “a children’s story.” I found
tears in my eyes, remembering my father, whenever he rescued her or comforted
her or did something special for her.
Director Jane
Staab’s remarkable cast features Jacqui Parker as Saoud’s stern sister, not as
easily won over by Anne. Parker somehow manages to show us the woman’s inward
journey, slowly growing with affection for the little girl. Plenty of comic
turns grace the musical, from Maureen Keiller’s ever present busybody to Susan
Bigger’s absentminded adoption agent to Gamalia Pharms’ eager gossip. Music
director Robert L. Rucinski gets fine singing from the ensemble and lovely
numbers like “Ice Cream” and “Kindred Spirits” for Glick and Jenna Lea Scott as
Anne’s true friend. See what Wheelock can do better than anyone: To present
theater which reflects all of us onstage with stories than touch everyone.
