June 13, 2010--Anne of Green Gables

We survived play week! Yay! It was really crazy, because not only did we have a dress rehearsal, tech rehearsal, and two performances last week, I had to work and my summer classes started up. So I am glad in a way that it's over, because I'm really tired, but it's also kind of sad that it's over.

The play was amazing, though. The girl I had cast as Anne wasn't able to do it because of her knee, so a week before the play we agreed that Joy should learn the part. She worked very hard and memorized the entire lead role in seven days. That beat my record of learning the part of Tevya in ten days--plus, that was only a one-act play and this was a two-act one.

She did such a super job. I think she made an even better Anne than the girl I had cast in the first place! The play went so smoothly. Of course it had it's little glitches like all plays do. The first night the audience laughed when Matthew died. They couldn't help it--he was so funny when he died. We coached him some more on how to be less funny and they didn't laugh the second night.

The best part of the whole play was when Anne broke the slate over Gilbert's head. The audience was not expecting it at all! Joy loved being able to do that to her brother.

I really enjoyed doing this. It was the first full-length play I've ever directed, and we had so many positive comments that it was as good as any of the high school plays they've been to. The costumes and sets were beautiful. The co-op parents were surprised at how big it was, too. I guess they were expecting a skit and didn't realize we were putting on a major production! We had close to 200 people show up to see it. I think we'll have more next year.

Here are some of the pictures we took. I have lots more on Facebook, but here is a sampling.
Here's Anne Shirley and Diana Barry:

Here are some of the little girls in the play--Mary Jo (the French maid), Minnie May Barry, Tillie Boulter, and Rachel (who was an extra school girl).

The whole cast backstage, waiting for final instructions before the play.

Anne goes to Sunday School

Anne saves Minnie May's life

Right after Anne has broken her slate over Gilbert's head

Minnie May Barry, Josie Pye, Ruby Gillis, Diana Barry and Mrs. Barry all dressed up for the Christmas concert

Anne Shirley getting ready for Act 2 (yes, we dyed her hair red)

The Green Gables set