Rainbow Valley (2011)

Rainbow Valley (2011) is a musical adaptation of the novel Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery with book and lyrics by Felice Kuan and music by Dimitri Landrain. Kuan and Landrain both graduated from NYU's Musical Theatre Graduate Program.

A reading for the musical was presented as part of Emerging Artists Theatre's 7th Annual New Works Series on May 19, 2011. David Alpert staged the reading of the first act, and the musical direction was by Andrew Smithson. The reading was led by Autumn Hurlbert, and the cast also included Merrill Grant, Brian Bailey, Justin Goodemoot, Sara Benjamin, Nick Caruso, Katie Whetsell, Lisa Mindelle, Jessica Dillan, Martin Landry, Cassandra Sandberg, Tiffany Dissette, Paul Luoma, Dan Lawler, and Janice Mays Landry. The reading took place at 6:30 p.m. at the TADA! Theatre on 15 W. 28th Street in Manhattan, NY, and tickets cost $10.

Rainbow Valley was also presented as part of the CDP Summer Workshop Series in 2011. You can watch a New York Minute video with some of the cast, crew, and audience members of the production.

The musical is described as follows:

“Rainbow Valley follows the four motherless children of absent-minded minister John Meredith: laid-back Jerry, spitfire Faith, curious Carl, and shy Una. Growing up in the stern and proper town of Glen St. Mary, Canada, they are surrounded by neighbors who disapprove of their bedraggled appearance and scandalous antics. Wanting to protect their father from criticism and gossip, they form a Good Conduct Club to teach themselves how to behave, but the results turn out differently than they plan.”


Image Credit:
Photograph of the cast of Rainbow Valley from the CDP Summer Workshop Series from Rob Heller's website.

References:
Hetrick, Adam. (May 18, 2011). "Anne of Green Gables" Musical Rainbow Valley Will Get May 19 Workshop With Autumn Hurlbert. Autumn Hurlbert will lead a reading of Rainbow Valley, a musical adaptation of the seventh book in L. M. Montgomery's "Anne of Green Gables" series, which will be presented May 19 in Manhattan. Playbill. Retrieved from: https://playbill.com/article/anne-of-green-gables-musical-rainbow-valley-will-get-may-19-workshop-with-autumn-hurlbert-com-179337

Rainbow Valley, Reading (2011). Ovrtur.

Rainbow Valley. Rob Heller.

Created May 20, 2011. Last updated January 27, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables (2010)

Anne of Green Gables (2010) is a musical with books, music and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman based on the novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. The musical made its world premiere on November 10, 2010 at Village Theatre in Issaquah, Washington and ran through January 30, 2011. Kasey Nusbickel starred as Anne Shirley, and the production also featured Suzy Hunt, Matthew John Kacergis, and Dennis Bateman.

An earlier version of the musical, then titled Green Gables, was performed at Victoria Theatre in Cincinnati in 2005, and a reading was performed as part of York's Developmental Reading Series at York Theatre Company in New York City in February 2006. In addition, the musical was previously presented as part of the Village Originals 9th Annual Festival of New Musicals.

The full two-act version of the musical is 136 minutes long. A one-act version is also available that runs 70 minutes. The musical is licensed by Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

The musical is described as follows by Theatrical Rights Worldwide:

"A new musical lovingly based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s timeless classic with its unforgettable characters, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES brings the comical adventures of spunky red-headed orphan Anne Shirley to life, as she wins over her new family and the rest of Prince Edward Island, as well, with her spirit and imagination in this heartwarming story about love, family, and home."

Village Theatre described the musical as follows:

"Bright, Inspiring Classic
Captivating readers for over a century, Lucy Maud Montgomery's treasured, best-selling novel is transformed into this charming new musical. When the Cuthberts expect to adopt a boy, imagine their surprise when a talkative and clever young girl steps off the train in Avonlea. Witness Anne's transformation from a playful young girl to a confident young woman as she finds her way into the hearts of everyone she meets-despite a knack for getting into trouble! Set to an unforgettably beautiful score, this is an enduring story for all ages."


Image Credit:
Anne of Green Gables musical artwork from Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

References:

Anne of Green Gables. janet yates vogt & mark friedman. Retrieved from: http://vogtfriedmancomposers.com/anne_of_green_gables.

Anne of Green Gables. Theatrical Rights Worldwide. Retrieved from: https://www.theatricalrights.com/show/anne-of-green-gables/.

Anne of Green Gables. Village Theatre. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20101201175334/http://villagetheatre.org/anne.php (archived).

Cain, Scott. (May 6, 2005). Regional Reviews: Cincinnati: Green Gables, The Musical. Talkin' Broadway. Retrieved from: https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/regional/cincy/cincy126.html.

Gans, Andrew. (February 7, 2006). Nancy Opel Part of Free Green Gables Reading Feb. 7: A reading of the musical Green Gables, which features book, music and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, will be presented Feb. 7 at the York Theatre Company. Playbill. Retrieved from: https://playbill.com/article/nancy-opel-part-of-free-green-gables-reading-feb-7-com-130724.

Hetrick, Adam. (March 3, 2010). Village Theatre to Stage Iron Curtain, Green Gables, Sleuth, Superstar and Full Monty: The new musicals Iron Curtain and Anne of Green Gables are on the 2010-2011 season bill for the Village Theatre in Issaquah, WA. Playbill. Retrieved from: https://playbill.com/article/village-theatre-to-stage-iron-curtain-green-gables-sleuth-superstar-and-full-monty-com-166443.

Seattle Spotlight: November 2010: Christmas Story Time. (October 31, 2010). TheatreMania. Retrieved from: https://www.theatermania.com/news/seattle-spotlight-november-2010_31587/.

Created February 2, 2011. Last updated January 24, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com