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New musical at the Goodspeed takes fresh approach to 'Anne of Green Gables'

Michelle Veintimilla, Juliette Redden and Pierre Marais in Goodspeed Musicals Anne of Green Gables.
Diane Sobolewski
/
Goodspeed Musicals
Michelle Veintimilla, Juliette Redden and Pierre Marais in Goodspeed Musicals' "Anne of Green Gables. "

Over the years, the beloved children’s novel “Anne of Green Gables'' has been adapted for stage, film and television (including a recent series on Netflix). There was even an animated cartoon based on the book.

Now a fresh take on this timeless story is playing at Goodspeed Musicals in East Haddam.

The musical, with book and lyrics by Matte O’Brien and music by Matt Vinson, focuses on the title character Anne Shirley, played by actress Juliette Redden. The plucky, red-headed orphan is adopted by siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert and goes to live on their farm in Avonlea on Prince Edward Island.

Juliette Redden and D.C. Anderson with the cast of Goodspeed Musicals Anne of Green Gables.
Diane Sobolewski
/
Goodspeed Musicals
Juliette Redden and D.C. Anderson with the cast of Goodspeed Musicals' "Anne of Green Gables."

The 1908 novel by L.M. Montgomery is set in the late 19th century. But O’Brien and Vinson’s musical reimagines “Anne of Green Gables” with a folk-rock music score and modern dress. Jenn Thompson, the director of the show, said the title character’s personality is perfectly suited for a modern musical interpretation.

“I think it’s one of the reasons people love this character so much. She’s just way ahead of her time,” Thompson said. “It feels like a perfect time for a refresh and a new look at her. You know, she’s such a powerful, passionate character that I think she lends herself very well to this genre.”

“Anne of Green Gables” runs through Sept. 4 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam.

Ray Hardman is Connecticut Public’s Arts and Culture Reporter. He is the host of CPTV’s Emmy-nominated original series Where Art Thou? Listeners to Connecticut Public Radio may know Ray as the local voice of Morning Edition, and later of All Things Considered.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

Connecticut Public’s journalism is made possible, in part by funding from Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Jaeger.