Bridget Ryan brings reimagined Anne of Green Gables to Edmonton's Roxy Theatre
A new musical adaptation runs September 15 to October 18, with four women performing all roles in a 20-foot set designed to evoke Prince Edward Island.
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Bridget Ryan's new musical adaptation of Anne of Green Gables opens at Theatre Network's Roxy Theatre on September 17, running through October 18. The show, titled Oh, Anne!, is a 90-minute one-act that Ryan adapted and directs, reimagining the 1908 novel with contemporary weight and a love of Lucy Maud Montgomery's language.
Ryan grew up in a family of musical theatre performers but came late to Montgomery's Anne. During the pandemic, she listened to an audiobook narrated by Megan Follows, who starred in the iconic 1985 CBC television mini-series. "I found myself just lost in this beautiful, eloquent word wizardry of Lucy Maud Montgomery, and the way Anne described the life lived, the eternal optimism," Ryan said. She rejected the long-running Charlottetown Festival iteration and decided to adapt the novel herself.
The production features four women—Abby McDougall, Emma Reynolds, Jorja Polischuk, and Jordan Empson—performing all roles, from Anne to the supporting characters Marilla, Matthew, and Gilbert. "The essence of Anne is taking up space and we have four powerhouse women showcasing and bringing to life the story with a new, contemporary weight," Ryan explained.
The show ran to sold-out houses throughout the summer at the Carter-Ryan Gallery and Live Art Venue in Canmore, a 51-seat space Ryan runs with her partner, artist Jason Carter. For the Edmonton run, the production has built a 20-foot set from distressed barn board, and patrons will hear the sound of waves crashing as they enter the 200-seat Nancy Power space. An immersive sculpture garden and new paintings by Carter are installed in the theatre's Lorne Cardinal space alongside the musical.
Ryan looked to Canadian sea shanties available in the public domain for the score, which she composed with Morgan McKee. "It will make you sob," she said of the music, "and hopefully it has everybody on their feet at the end, dancing."
The Roxy, 10708 124 Street. Previews September 15 and 16; opens September 17. Runs through October 18.
The details
When does Oh, Anne! run in Edmonton?
Oh, Anne! runs from September 15 to October 18 at Theatre Network's Roxy Theatre, with previews on September 15 and 16 and opening on September 17.
Who performs in this production?
Four women—Abby McDougall, Emma Reynolds, Jorja Polischuk, and Jordan Empson—perform all roles in the show, from Anne to supporting characters like Marilla, Matthew, and Gilbert.
What is the set design like?
The production features a 20-foot set built from distressed barn board designed to evoke Prince Edward Island, with sound effects of waves crashing as audiences enter the 200-seat Nancy Power space.
Who adapted and directs Oh, Anne!?
Bridget Ryan adapted the 1908 novel and directs this reimagining, which she composed with Morgan McKee using Canadian sea shanties in the public domain for the score.
