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!
Below is a listing of stage adaptations of L. M. Montgomery's works. Thank you
to John Tonner for information on two of the Anne plays listed. 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" (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.
"A Green Gables Christmas" (2006) - a one act play by Jean
Simonson. This annual holiday production, features a one act play and a Victorian
tea service suitable for families. The one act play includes nine scenes, including
the raspberry cordial scene with Diana, Matthew presenting Anne with the puffed
sleeve dress as a Christmas present, and Anne saving Minnie Mae from croup, which
earns her Mrs. Barry's forgiveness at Christmas time. The play
features Anne, Marilla, Matthew, Mrs. Lynde, Mrs. Barry and Diana.
"Anne and Gilbert" (2005)
- a musical by Bob Johnston and Nancy White (composers and co-lyricists)
and Jeff Hochhauser (librettist and co-lyricist).
A
Bend in the Road (2005, external link) - a musical by Michael
Upward (music/book) and Benita Scheckel (lyrics/book) licensed through Maestro
Theatre Library. The musical revisits the classical story of Anne Shirley
and her adventures in Avonlea.
" 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" adapted by Paul Ledoux (1998)
" Anne
of Green Gables" (external
link, 1997) - play by Joseph Robinette. It is available from Dramatic Publishing.
" Anne
of Green Gables" (1997,
external link) - Musical by Joseph Robinette with lyrics by Evelyn Swensson.
It is available from Dramatic Publishing.
" Anne of Avonlea" (1997, 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" (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 - 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. I saw this play in Charlottetown
in 2006, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
" Anne
of Green Gables" (external link) - play adapted by Jody
Davidson. Available for production from ENCORE Performance Publishing.
" Anne of Avonlea" (1940) - a play by James Reach (pseud.
Jeanette Carlisle)
"Anne
of Green Gables" (1937) - a play by Wilbur Braun
(pseud.
Alice Chadwicke)
Emily of New Moon Plays and Musicals
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.
" 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.
Other Productions Based on L.M. Montgomery's Works and Life
"The Nine
Lives of L.M. Montgomery" (2008, external link) - a musical
written by Adam-Michael James and composed by Leo Marchildon. This musical
biography, based on L.M. Montgomery's life premiered at Kings Playhouse
in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island on 20 June 20, 2008, which was the
100th anniversary to the day of the publication of L.M. Montgomery's Anne
of Green Gables. Adam-Michael James has documented the progress of
the musical in his blog.
" The Strike at Putney Church" (2005) - play by Eliza Jane
Wilson, based on a short story by L.M. Montgomery
" Rainbow
Valley" (1999, external link) - a play written and adapted
by Hank Stinson for The Castle Co.
" The
Blue Castle" (1997, external link) - a play written and
adapted by Hank Stinson for The Castle Co.
"The Wooden Hill" (1994), written by Don Hannah,
is based on L. M. Montgomery's
journals and life.
"Songs
of the Island" (date?) - 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.
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 01.28.09
© An L.M. Montgomery Resource Page and TickledOrange.com
