'Gables' is homespun fun

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, Grand Theatre, through Nov. 10 (957-3322 or www.the-grand.org), running time: 140 minutes (one intermission)

With nearly 30 songs, this musical version of L.M. Montgomery's classic novel, is dance- and lyric-driven, with just enough dialogue to move the story gently along.

Originally commissioned for the Charlottetown Festival on Prince Edward Island — site of the fictional Green Gables — this homespun show brings the residents of rural Avonlea delightfully to life.

Director Narlene Mathie has a stage-full cast of 24 performers, four of whom play two or three roles. But between the small-town gossips and the schoolkids, it really boils down to a half-dozen central characters.

The well-known plot revolves around bachelor farmer Matthew Cuthbert and his spinster sister, Marilla, who are looking forward to a strapping young lad from the orphanage in Nova Scotia moving into their home to help with the chores.

So the Cuthberts (solid performances by Gordon Jones and Betsy West) are surprised when the orphanage sends them a girl — spunky Anne Shirley, whose fanciful chatter is nearly as bright as her red hair. Elizabeth White is well cast as Anne (with an "e" please), who not only stirs up the Cuthberts' quiet country life, but alarms quite a few Avonlea residents as well.

By the time it's over, Anne has won over busybody Rachel Lynde (Nancy Jensen), handsome young Gilbert Blythe (Tommy C. Burnett) and the girl who becomes her best friend, Dianna Barry (Amelia Moore).

There are also noteworthy performances from Ryan Paskins as Mr. Phillips, the stern schoolteacher, and Mandi Jensen as Miss Stacy, the somewhat outside-the-box school marm who takes his place.

The music — by Donald Harron and Norman Campbell, and performed nicely by Kevin Mathie's small pit orchestra — maintains the period feel. Exuberant production numbers include a song about the joys of "Ice Cream," the fun of the community "Picnic" and Miss Stacy encouraging her pupils to "Open the Window" (along with their minds), as well as the adventure of going on a "Nature Hunt."

"Anne of Green Gables" is a heartfelt, homespun tale about family love and adapting to change.

Sensitivity rating: There's one brief (and humorous) scene where Anne and Dianna get slightly tipsy after fetching the wrong bottle in the cupboard, but the show is pure G-rated family entertainment.

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E-mail: ivan@desnews.com