DUBOIS – Anne of Green Gables by Alice Chadwicke is a show that will take you back to your childhood and all the emotions and sensations you experienced as you figured out how to be your truest, authentic self.
Anne is a young orphan who is adopted by the Cuthberts, a brother and sister who think they are getting a boy.
Instead Anne shows up with her vivid imagination and constant chattering. The setting is 1910 in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
You will experience the change that Anne brings to all she touches. By the end, her list of “kindred spirits” is quite long and she has brought bountiful good to the Cuthberts.
The play is based on the book by L.M. Montgomery that has influenced countless girls and boys. The hope is that you will walk away feeling like you have reconnected with an old friend.
The cast hopes you come and see the show more than once and experience both lovely ladies who are playing Anne Shirley.
Ahead of Anne of Green Gables is a special holiday prologue written by Andi Kohlhepp and performed by the children of the Reitz Theater.
This one act is the story of a special orphan who is afraid to wish because “wishin’ is for babies.”
You will get to see his transformation as he experiences the incredible optimism that Anne Shirley shares everywhere she goes.
Anne of Green Gables with An Orphan’s Christmas Wish will open at the Paul G. Reitz Theater of Cultural Resources Inc. (CRI) on Dec. 1 with shows on Dec. 2, 7, 8, & 9 at 7:30 p.m. and on Dec. 3 at 2 p.m.
Directors have also added two matinees due to high demand on Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at Reitztheater.com, at the theater’s box office Thursdays 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., or at Kohlhepp True Value in DuBois.
The cast is in order of appearance: Andi Kohlhepp (Florence Remsen), Emily Smith (Minnie Stearn, Mrs. Barry), Hayley Dilts (Anne Shirley), Julia Wirths (Anne Shirley), Alyssa Wood (Mrs. Alexander Spencer, Mrs. Allan), Jennifer Gonsalves (Marilla Cuthbert), Valerie Kucenski (Mrs. Rachel Lynde), Max Smith (Matthew Cuthbert), Anna Weible (Josie Pye), Doug Siple (Gilbert Blythe), Madison Olewnick (Diana Barry), Charlie Smith (Moody Spurgeon) and Andrew Benson (Ira Mills).
An Orphan’s Christmas Wish stars: Madison Olewnick (Bessie), Julia Wirths (Adelaide, Anne Shirley), Hayley Dilts (Adelaide, Anne Shirley), Max Smith II (Albert), David Reitz III (Abraham), Isabelle Cebulskie (Cora Mae) Bobbie Reitz (Miss Bertha) and Andi Kohlhepp (Miss Remsen).
