Anne of Green Gables — The Musical Will No Longer Be Performed Annually in Charlottetown

On November 24, 2022, the Confederation Centre of the Arts announced in a press release that Anne of Green Gables — The Musical would no longer be staged annually in Charlottetown, but instead once every two years. The production will return to the stage in 2024 in commemoration of the 150th birthday of L.M. Montgomery.

The press release states, "Confederation Centre of the Arts is delighted to announce the extension and expansion to its agreement with the show’s rights holders. Starting in 2024, Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ will be playing on the mainstage every two years (biennially) coinciding with the 150th birthday of Lucy Maud Montgomery. The production ran annually for over fifty years from 1965-2019 and was presented in 2022 after a brief hiatus due to COVID-related challenges."

The announcement was met with concern about how the decision may affect tourism on Prince Edward Island.

Image Credit:
Promotional photograph for Anne of Green Gables — The Musical from the Confederation Centre of the Arts website.

References:
Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ to return to The Charlottetown Festival in 2024. (November 24, 2022). Confederation Centre of the Arts. Retrieved from: https://confederationcentre.com/anne-of-green-gables-the-musical-to-return-to-the-charlottetown-festival-in-2024/.

Austen, Ian. (December 3, 2022). After Half a Century, Prince Edward Island’s Musical Tradition Takes a Break. The New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/03/world/canada/prince-edward-island-musical.html.

P.E.I.'s long-running 'Anne of Green Gables — The Musical' no longer an annual event. (November 24, 2022). The Canadian Press. Retrieved from: https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/entertainment/p-e-i-s-long-running-anne-of-green-gables-the-musical-no-longer-an/article_fc3d2ee5-929c-5b2f-88fe-96129abda91f.html.


Created November 28, 2022. Last updated December 3, 2022.
© worldofanneshirley.com

The Charlottetown Festival Returns in 2021 Without Anne of Green Gables — The Musical

When the Charlottetown Festival returns in 2021, it will not include its long-running mainstay Anne of Green Gables — The Musical. In 2020, the Festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ending the musical's world-record run of 55 consecutive years. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Festival organizers decided that presenting a musical like Anne with a large cast and audience would not be possible in 2021. Due to safety protocols, the 1,100-seat Confederation Centre auditorium has a restricted seating capacity of 300. Performances will have staggered seating, mandatory masks, and social distancing procedures in place for the safety of the audience members.

Festival artistic director Adam Brazier stated, "The decision was made for us and we embrace it. We really feel like this is an opportunity for us to stretch our wings and to tell some other stories."

This year's Charlottetown Festival lineup includes three shorter, smaller-scale shows featuring stories from Atlantic Canada:

Between Breaths - a play inspired by the true story of a Newfoundland man who rescued more than 500 whales trapped in fishing nets.

Dear Rita - a musical honouring the life of the Maritime singer-songwriter Rita MacNeil.

Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story - the true story of two Romanian refugees who meet at Pier 21 in Halifax while waiting to enter Canada.

Image credit:
Photograph of Anne of Green Gables — The Musical from the 2017 Charlottetown Festival by Louise Vessey.

Reference:
Decision not to stage Anne at Charlottetown Festival 'was made for us': Reduced capacity due to COVID-19 among factors preventing perennial favourite from returning. (April 8, 2021). CBC News. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-charlottetown-festival-2021-season-launch-1.5979351.

Created April 10, 2021.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Pandemic Ends 55-Year Run of Anne of Green Gables — The Musical

The 2020 Charlottetown Festival has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ending the 55-year run of Anne of Green Gables — The Musical. The musical has been featured as part of the Charlottetown Festival at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in PEI every year since it premiered in 1965. Its long run was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's longest running annual musical theatre production.

The Confederation Centre of the Arts CEO Steve Bellamy explained the cancellation stating, "Unfortunately, with the necessary restrictions on large gatherings and the need for social distancing remaining in place for some time, our ability is limited, not only to host audiences, but to prepare with rehearsals and construction in the months ahead of our performances."


Image credit:
Photograph of Anne of Green Gables — The Musical from the 2017 Charlottetown Festival by Louise Vessey.

Reference:
Yarr, Kevin. (April 24, 2021). Charlottetown Festival cancelled for 2020: Record-breaking run of Anne musical ends. CBC News. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-charlottetown-festival-cancelled-1.5543692.

Created April 28, 2020.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Confederation Centre of the Arts

The Confederation Centre of the Arts is a cultural arts center located in downtown Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Opened in 1964 by Queen Elizabeth II, the Centre boasts a performing arts theatre, a visual arts gallery, and an impressive array of exhibits and productions that highlight the rich tapestry of Canadian culture. Since 1965, it has been the proud host of the annual Charlottetown Festival, a summer tradition that has captivated audiences for decades. In addition, the Centre houses many of L.M. Montgomery's manuscripts in its archives, including her original handwritten manuscript of Anne of Green Gables.

The Confederation Centre of the Arts holds a unique place in history, earning the Guinness World Record for the longest-running annual musical theatre production with Anne of Green Gables — The Musical. This beloved adaptation of L.M. Montgomery's classic novel graced the stage every summer from 1965 until 2019, creating a legacy that has charmed generations. Though the musical paused during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it triumphantly returned to the stage in 2022. Starting in 2024, the musical will be performed biennially, continuing to enchant audiences every two years.



I had the pleasure of seeing Anne of Green Gables — The Musical at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in 2006. As I wandered through the Centre's main hallway, I was intrigued by the displays dedicated to the long-running production. Among the highlights was a meticulously crafted miniature model of the musical's set, offering a glimpse into the magic that unfolds on stage.



One display featured costumed mannequins frozen in a moment from the musical.



Nearby, costume sketches provided insight into the design process, showcasing detailed drawings like the elegant dress created for Mrs. Sloane.



The display was adorned with posters from past productions, each a snapshot of the musical's enduring appeal.



There was an informative placard on the writers and musicians who brought Anne of Green Gables to life on stage, as well as a tribute to L.M. Montgomery herself.



Along with holding L.M. Montgomery's original handwritten manuscript of Anne of Green Gables, The Confederation Centre of the Arts houses another 14 of L.M. Montgomery's novel manuscripts in its archives.

Official Website:
Confederation Centre of the Arts

Location:
Confederation Centre of the Arts
145 Richmond St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 1J1, Canada.



Image credits:
Photographs by World of Anne Shirley.
Map copyright OpenStreetMap.

Reference:
Longest running annual musical theatre production. Guinness World Records. Retrieved from: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/114132-longest-running-annual-musical-theatre-production


Created July 17, 2007. Last updated September 3, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables — The Musical (1965)

Anne of Green Gables — The Musical (1965) is based on the novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. Its music was composed by Norman Campbell, and the book is by Don Harron. The lyrics were written by Don Harron and Norman Campbell, with additional lyrics by Mavor Moore and Elaine Campbell. It was directed and choreographed by Alan Lund.

At the premiere in 1965, Anne Shirley was portrayed by Jamie Ray. Barbara Hamilton played Marilla Cuthbert, Peter Mews played Matthew Cuthbert, and Dean Regan played Gilbert Blythe. The stage musical was based on the 1956 Anne of Green Gables musical film that was produced for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and directed by Don Harron.

The musical is notably the longest running musical in Canadian history. After its premiere in 1965, the production ran every summer for more than 50 years at the Charlottetown Festival, which is hosted by the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Performances paused during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and the musical returned to the stage in 2022. According to the Confederation Centre of the Arts, "Starting in 2024, Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ will be playing on the mainstage every two years (biennially) coinciding with the 150th birthday of Lucy Maud Montgomery."

I saw this musical in Charlottetown in 2006, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The script is available is available through Concord Theatricals.

A cast recording of the musical was released by The Charlottetown Festival and you can listen to it at Amazon Music. The album includes the following 19 songs:

1. Overture / Great Workers for the Cause / Where Is Matthew Going?

2. Gee I'm Glad I'm No-One Else but Me

3. We Clearly Requested a Boy

4. The Facts

5. Humble Pie

6. Apology

7. Back to School

8. Wond'rin'

9. Did You Hear?

10. Ice Cream

11. Summer

12. Kindred Spirits

13. Open the Window

14. I'll Show Him

15. General Store

16. If It Hadn't Been for Me

17. Anne of Green Gables

18. The Words

19. Wond'rin' (Reprise)

Purchase the Anne of Green Gables — The Musical cast recording:

Official Site:
Anne of Green Gables — The Musical at the Confederation Centre of the Arts

Image Credit:
Anne of Green Gables — The Musical promotional image by the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

Reference:
Confederation Centre of the Arts. Anne of Green Gables — The Musical™ to return to The Charlottetown Festival in 2024. Retrieved from: https://confederationcentre.com/anne-of-green-gables-the-musical-to-return-to-the-charlottetown-festival-in-2024/

Created August 15, 2002. Last updated July 9, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com