Drama students from Bow Valley High School are performing a musical rendition of Anne of Green Gables tonight and tomorrow.
The performances will take place at the Cochrane Ranchehouse Theatre at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 16, and 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 17.
The performance is based on the novel of the same name by L. M. Montgomery. The Canadian novel tells the story of the iconic red-haired orphan, Anne Shirley, the fictional town of Avelonea, P.E.I., and Anne’s adventures with her adoptive family, the Cuthberts.
With several students involved in this year’s December production, Bow Valley High School teacher and director of the play Adreinne Fossheim said the cast and crew are eager to take to the stage.
“We have been having so much fun,” Fossheim said, adding over 80 students are involved in the cast and crew, either on the technical theatre side or the performance side.
Fossheim said along with the well-known characters, audiences can expect an even more enjoyable performance thanks to the hard work of the students.
“Lots of amazing singing, dancing, choreography, [and] the technical aspects of the show are outstanding,” she said. “We are so proud of our production.”
Many of the students who have taken on various roles to put the show together, like Aiden Bilodeau, (light and sound technical director) agree that it has been a rewarding and fun experience to prepare for tonight's premiere presentation.
“It’s really nice having the extra hands,” Bilodeau said. “And it’s a lot of fun having people and getting stuff done. And with more people, we can get more stuff done, so it’s sort of amazing.”
As costume technical director, Mia Genyk shared the same thoughts as Bilodeau, when asked about the costume creation process.
“It was a lot of work, but with people we were working with in our little costume room, making costumes and getting everything together – it brought us all together,” Genyk said.
Ashley Oram, along with her counterpart Lauren Achtemichuk as both Miss Muriel Stacy and assistant director, said Bow Valley High's rendition of Anne of Green Gables is unique due to the connection it has with the Cochrane community.
“We are part of both the tech communities as well as the performing communities,” Oram said. “And it just intermingled and it’s a really tight community of friends and family, with amazing support.”
Brielle Flaherty, starring as Josie Pye, echoed the same thoughts. She’s been involved with various productions put on by the school over the last four years. Alongside other seniors, she noted this will be their final performance together.
“The songs are beautiful and the set is so amazing,” Flahery said. “It’s probably one of my favourite parts and what makes it so special is the work that has gone into it by both the actors and techs.
“With the time we had, I’m glad we pulled it together.”
As the performance takes place tonight and tomorrow, Anthony Juliano, co-starring in the role of Gilbert Blythe alongside Austin Laroque, hopes viewers see the hard work put forward by everyone involved through the performances.
“It’s just so awesome to share an amazing experience with your friends and family,” Juliano said.
Tickets are available on eventbrite.ca and searching Anne of Green Gables, as ticket sales are limited, in the event they are sold out, those unable to purchase a ticket can be added to a waitlist for both the Dec. 16 and 17 shows.
