THE BASICS: ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, the world premiere of a play by Donna Hoke, freely adapted from the novel by L.M. Montgomery, directed by Annette Daniels Taylor, starring Kira Whitehead as Anne, Pamela Rose Mangus as Marilla, and Roderick Garr as Matthew, among others. Public Performances run January 27-February 4, 2024 at Theatre of Youth. 203 Allen Street, Buffalo. (716) 884.4400 theaterofyouth.org Geared for children grades 5+ (ages 10+) and their families. Masks are not required but are strongly encouraged.
RUN TIME: 1 hour and 50 minutes without intermission (allow ample time for talkback after the show).
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: When aging brother and sister Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert decide to take in a foster child on their farm, they request a boy who will help with the chores. They are surprised when Anne, a girl of boundless imagination who’s not shy about expressing her thoughts, shows up. After much discussion, the two of them take a chance on her in hopes they can do some good with this free spirit who has only known the foster care system and longs for a family of her own. Playwright Hoke has done a masterful job of including many of the memorable scenes in only 75 minutes including the “stolen” broach, the apology to busybody Mrs. Lynde, the spelling bee against Gilbert Blythe (the arch-rival ever since he commented on her hair), the currant wine/raspberry cordial mixup with Anne’s bosom friend Diana Barry, the standoff with the school “queen bully” Josie Pye, and with the support of Anne’s role model and mentor, Miss Stacy, a college scholarship.
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION: All the emotions you’ve ever felt enjoying Anne of Green Gables in any format (the book, the television series, the movie) will be revisited here. I laughed and I cried and had fun revisiting a story that I hadn’t thought about in years, but a story that takes you right in. Playwright Hoke has made one important change and that is that Anne Shirley is black, and instead of people making fun of her red hair, as in the original, they make fun of her kinky hair. Over time, as Anne gains inner confidence, and feels the love of her foster parents, and learns “anger management” techniques from Marilla, her reactions become more subtle.
In this re-telling, the cast is color-inclusive including an exceptional portrayal of Matthew Cuthbert by Roderick Garr. What a voice! Garr makes a fine foil for his more edgy sister Marilla as played by one of Buffalo’s favorite actors, Pamela Rose Mangus, who excels at crusty exterior / heart of marshmallow roles. And UB senior Kira Whitehead makes for a delightful and engaging Anne, full of energy.
As usual with TOY productions, the stage management (Brittany Wysocki) is flawless and the sound, both music and SFX, are excellent. But I want to give a shout-out to the scenic design (Donnie Woodard) which coupled with the Lighting Design (Brian Cavanagh) created “theater magic” as the on-stage set revolved and reconfigured while the suspended outline of the house (Green Gables) was re-lit to present two different aspects. I can’t remember seeing that so expertly done before.
The rest of the cast includes Meghan O’Connor (Ruby Gillis/Mrs. Spencer), Kristen-Marie Lopez (Mrs. Rachel Lynde/Josie Pye/Girl in White Lace), Glen Chitty (Thomas Lynde/Gilbert Blythe), Juli Grygier (Diana Barry), and Ember Tate (Mrs. Barry/Miss Stacey/Ms. Gold/Woman in Silk). Ever since COVID forced major interruptions to scheduled performances in the theater industry, understudies have become the unsung heroes. Understudy cast members include Emily Yancey, Michael Garvey, Maria Ta, Kaylie Horowitz, Alyssa Grace Adams, Aaron Saldana, Shelby McNulty, and Kujané Lyons-Latimer Glenn. They will be the entire cast at the Saturday, February 3rd, 2:00 pm performance.
Lead image: Pamela Rose Mangus, Kira Whitehead, Roderick Garr
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!