CATS Playhouse Opens Lovely Production Of “Anne Of Green Gables”
L.A. | The Atom
This weekend, Lubbock families are invited to the opening of the CATS Playhouse production of “Anne of Green Gables” to join in the youthful adventures of a boldly expressive, redheaded orphan girl. “Anne of Green Gables” (adapted for the stage by Silvia Ashby) is based on the classic 117-year-old children’s novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. Directed by Jennifer Renae Conlee and Tyson Lemasters, the show is set in the fictional town of Avonlea in Canada’s Prince Edward Island in the early 20th century. It tells the story of a young girl named Anne, who is sent to live with Matthew and Marilla Cuthberts. Though these aging siblings had expected to be adopting a boy to work on their farm, they grew attached to Anne despite her mischief.
Dani Hollis does a perfectly splendid job in the role of the precocious young Anne Shirley. It is an epic performance that is only fitting for a character so imaginative and committed to life’s joys. Laura Bryan (as Marilla Cuthbert) and Brad Seaton (as Matthew Cuthbert) also bring the stern but gentle balance that builds the emotional investment of the audience. Every member of this cast contributes something to the warm and positive audience response, but these three leads are especially successful due to their confident portrayal of the characters they play.
Rynn Day adds support and comic relief in her role as Marilla’s friend, Rachel Lynde. Amber and Kiley Seaton also offer authentic impressions of a mother and daughter as the Cuthbert’s neighbors, Mrs. Barry and her daughter, Diana, who befriends Anne.
Desirae Elwell is fantastic as Anne’s fun and fashionable teacher, Miss Stacy. Elwell does a great job conveying the energy and empathy the role requires. Playing Anne’s peers and classmates, Levin White, Jemma and Max Bossio, Marley Higgins and Solomon Vasquez really make the show enjoyable and give a right impressive performance.
Stage manager Lisa Melcher keeps the backstage work running well behind the curtain. Although it was a relatively simple set, designed and constructed by Chris Davis and Jenny Lewis, there are clever changes so that the focus stays on the characters. Dea Young Smith is to credit for the accurate period costumes and Ryan Tullis provided the lighting and sound design carried out very well by Michael Wales and William Huntsman.
Remaining performance dates include matinees this afternoon and April 13 and evening performances April 11-12. Purchase tickets at https://catsplayhouse.ludus.com/index.php.
