Hamilton-Gibson’s family-friendly production of “Anne Of Green Gables: The Musical” has a cast of 24 people, 10 adults and 14 youth. Playing eight of the 24 roles are three moms and their daughters and a dad and son. Enjoyed by audiences of all ages, this musical is set in the late 1800s and is about the adventures of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old girl. 

Lilace Guignard as Mrs. Spencer brings Anne, an orphan, to Green Gables, a farm on Prince Edward Island operated by a middle-aged brother and sister Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, rather than a boy orphan as they had requested.

Sarah Duterte is Marilla, a stern yet caring woman who decides to raise Anne played by June Roth.

Herb Johnson is Matthew, who is co-parenting Anne. He not only helps Anne find her place in the world but also awakens the compassion his sister lost through heartbreak.

Guignard’s daughter West plays Diana Barry, Anne’s best friend, and Duterte’s daughter Sylvia plays Minnie Mae Barry, Diana’s little sister.

“My last time on stage with HG was in fourth grade,” West said. “I am excited to bring my own ideas to my character and see how they play out.” “I am happy to be in this show with West,” Lilace said.

Director Jessie Thompson has encouraged all of us to delve into why our characters are the way they are, and why they make the decisions they do,” said Lilace.

“This musical is delightful and very touching,” Lilace said.  “It has no bad language. The theme –  wanting to belong but only if you are accepted for who you are – is universal.”

“My biggest challenge is helping my mom learn her lines,” said Reese Charles who is playing a school student.

“I have loved ‘Anne of Green Gables’ since my first exposure to the 1985 version that I recorded on videotape without fail each week,” said mom Beka Charles. “This is my first production outside of high school drama. It’s been quite a while. I’m taking a giant leap outside my comfort zone. I don’t know if I would have pushed myself through this process for a show other than Anne.  I’m also extremely excited to do this show with my daughter,” Beka said. “My role is Rachel Lynde, the town busybody who shares her opinion with everyone.”

“This is my first time acting in a musical,” said David Gordon who plays the town doctor. “I’m not a natural singer or dancer so it’s been a challenge. Fortunately, my son Justin is in the show as Anne’s academic rival Gilbert Blythe and has been working with me.”

“My favorite part is the fact that my father is finally joining me in a production,” Justin said.

“It’s a witty and family-friendly production with a lot of heart,” said David. “I can relate to Anne’s struggles to find her place since my wife and I are adoptive parents of children who came into our home at an older age.”

A pre-show with Greg Smith on Irish flute, Daria Lin-Guelig on hammered dulcimer, concertina, and fiddle, and Anne Acker at the piano playing a selection of Celtic music will start 30 minutes before each performance.

The musical will begin at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 10 & 11 and 17 & 18, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12 in the Deane Center’s Coolidge Theatre at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.  

Opening night Nov. 10 will be a reception with refreshments for the actors and audience.

Order tickets at hgp.booktix.com. 

Admission is $16 for adults and $8 for students, 18 and under.

Email hamgib@gmail.com or call the H-G office at 570-724-2079 for more information.