‘Anne of Green Gables’ springs to life

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The stage at Sullivan West this past weekend magically became the milieu for the melodramatic exploits of Anne Shirley, the protagonist who first touched the world in the novel “Anne of Green Gables,” written by L.M. Montgomery in 1908.

Staging a full-length drama in lieu of one-act vignettes was a major undertaking for director Russ Johansen and his student director Mackenzie Roeder. Nevertheless, in the short span of a couple of months, the delightful story came to life thanks to a bevy of fine acting performances; fine lighting delivered by Lianne Ramdhany and stage manager Sommer Johansen; stunning period costumes and makeup courtesy of Marlu Costumes, Morgan Edwards, Lynne Tendander and Anne-Marie O’Connor; and the realistic look of Green Gables, Queens Academy and more in the sets designed by director Johansen, Erin Zito, Brittany Flynn and members of the cast.

Bringing Montgomery’s delightful array of characters with all of their charms and foibles to life proved remarkably successful for Johansen’s cast. The touching story compacts events from Montgomery’s first novel and the sequels demanded by her avid readers. She continued writing about Anne’s further adventures for eight more years following the publishing of the original jewel of fiction.

The Sullivan West production transported the audience from Anne’s initial awkward arrival at Green Gables, her developing relationship with friends, rivals and her newfound family to the touching and dramatic conclusion that evinces her compassion and gratefulness to the Cuthberts, played delightfully by Randall Grimm as Matthew and Roeder as Marilla, and her appreciation for the sacrifices made by a character she initially despised, namely Gilbert Blythe, played admirably by Richard Smith.

The freckled, garrulous and inadvertently mishap-prone character of Shirley, played stunningly by junior Nicole Daley, was once described by Mark Twain as “The dearest and most loveable child since the immortal Alice.” Daley’s enactment of Anne was the centerpiece of the show as she brought to life the beloved character much to the delight of the appreciative audience.

Presenting themselves as valuable foils to Anne were Shawna O’Brien as Rachel Lynde, Bridget O’Brien as her best friend Diana Barry, Becky Cutler as Mrs. Barry, Amanda Bercze as Minnie May Barry, Caitlin Jordan as Prissy Andrews, Jennifer Leon as Josie Pye and Grace O’Connor as Ruby Gillis.

Other fine performances were turned in by John Taylor as Mr. Phillips, Coco Campbell as Aunt Josephine Barry, Hannah Rettoun as Mrs. Blewett and Tillie Boulter, Ken Crumley as Reverend Bentley, Sommer Johansen as Miss Susan Stacy, Megan O’Keefe as Jane Andrews, Manny Leon as Jimmy Glover, Sabrina Campfield as Bessie Wright, Leif Johansen as Moody Mcpherson, Alex Vidal as Charlie Smith and Annalise Masten as Mrs. Allen.

Fine drama at Sullivan West will continue later this year with a staging of the musical “Annie.”

Click here for an album of pictures from the show, or to purchase a CD of the photos, send a check for $20 dollars payable to The River Reporter.