Anne of Green Gables
at Oakcrest School

Reviewed on February 26, 2016

Raquel Sequeira
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

Modern society often lacks an element of imaginative romanticism in the midst of everyday life—the kind that turns a blossoming tree into "The Snow Queen" or a red clay road into a blood-stained battleground. Oakcrest Upper School's performance of Anne of Green Gables portrayed a touching blend of this earnest romanticism with simple, heart-warming relationships and bright humor—the very soul of the show's classic title character.

Based on L.M. Montgomery's 1908 novel set in Canada's enchanting Prince Edward Island, Anne of Green Gables follows the coming-of-age of orphan Anne Shirley, whose lively imagination and melodrama fill her life with both mishaps and invaluable friendships. The book has been adapted into numerous film and television productions as well as a musical in 1965, which has been performed worldwide and as an annual tradition on Prince Edward Island.

The show's all-female cast portrayed an entertaining company of characters with intentionality and energy. From the first song, an ensemble of gossiping matrons engaged the audience with in-character movements and facial expressions across the stage. This dynamic characterization was maintained throughout the show.

Starring as the one and only "Anne with an ‘e'," Clare Kolasch captured the depth of her character by balancing histrionic dialogue with technically skilled vocals. Kolasch's poignant delivery was natural and was accompanied by amusing facial expressions—such as when Anne turned her reluctant apology into an operetta. Annie Pacious and Eliana Talavera as Anne's parent-figures, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, stood out from the levity of the rest of the townspeople. Talavera defined her character with sharp movement and language, broken by moments of emotion and moving vocals. Pacious' slouching shoulders and shuffling movements, hands stuffed in worn denim pockets, and convincing male vocals established the character of the soft-spoken father-figure. Jill Collins as Gilbert Blythe was also consistent, with a low-range speaking and singing voice and boyish mannerisms.

A number of performers added to the humor and vivacity of the production. Brigid Kilner as Rachel Lynde hit on hilarious comic details, including an unexpected swig of the currant-wine. Katie McNeish, whining and flirting as Josie Pye, provided an intriguing foil for Anne. Supporting ensembles such as the town ladies and the school pupils, though occasionally restrained, maintained commitment to the lively atmosphere with solid dancing—notably Kiley Hatch and Shine Peng as Diana Barry and Ruby Gillis—and a blend of strong vocals. Though some actors struggled with articulation, all retained the nuances of their characters throughout their performances.

A simple but elegant set illustrated the unaffected beauty of the relationships that grounded Anne's melodramatics. Similarly, natural contouring makeup, although failing to distinguish age differences between characters, brought out realistic men and women onstage. There were some instances of imbalances with the sound, but the actors kept the audience enthralled with dynamic dialogue and movement.

Balancing emotions ranging from "the depths of despair" to rejoicing in the beauties of friendship, Oakcrest's heartfelt Anne of Green Gables evoked a compelling unity of feeling and laughter.

Alexa Tucker
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

When Matthew Cuthbert goes to the train station, he expects to pick up a hardworking young orphan boy to help on the farm. Instead, he finds an outspoken girl with carrot-red hair and an overactive imagination. Anne is used to being unwanted, but this time, she is determined to keep her newly found family in Oakcrest School's cheery and spirited production of Anne of Green Gables: The Musical.

Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, an aging brother and sister, decide to adopt a boy to help them on their farm on Prince Edward Island. Due to a mix-up at the orphanage, Anne Shirley arrives instead of the preferred boy, and hilarity ensues as she attempts to adapt her quirky and unconventional nature to the reserved attitudes of her family and community. Originally a book written in 1908 by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables was adapted to musical form in the 1950s. Although virtually unknown in the United States, the musical has run continuously in Canada since 1965, making it the longest-running musical in history.

Oakcrest, an all-girls school, faced the challenge of creating believable male characters using only female actresses. These actresses not only sang harmonies originally written for men, but also created realistic romantic relationships with the female characters in the show. The vocal talent of the entire cast was evident from the very first notes, as lofty soprano voices rang out into the audience.

From insisting that her name be spelled with an 'e' to proclaiming that she calls herself Cordelia in times of distress, Clare Kolasch exemplified the offbeat and occasionally melodramatic Anne Shirley. Kolasch beautifully chronicled Anne's growth from an awkward, unattractive child to a clever and beautiful young woman, without ever losing the touch of quirkiness that makes Anne who she is. Her incredible vocal talent was apparent throughout the show. One standout moment occurred in "Oh Mrs. Lynde!", where Anne begged for a woman's forgiveness in a schmaltzy, operatic song that had the audience in stitches.

As brother and sister pair Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, Annie Pacious and Eilana Talavera shared many tender moments with their adopted daughter, harmonizing beautifully in songs such as "We Clearly Requested." Jill Collins skillfully transformed her body language to portray a young boy, Gilbert Blythe, who picks on Anne and later develops feelings for her. Undeterred by a slate smashed over his head, Gilbert pursues Anne through their tumultuous school years. Blythe and Kolasch's voices complemented each other beautifully in "Wondrin'," ending the show on a heartwarmingly tender moment.

The set reflected the bright and happy world of Anne Shirley, featuring a backdrop with a train and blooming cherry tree painted in vivid colors. During the scenes set in the school, the panels rotated, revealing a working chalkboard. Although there were many issues with sound cutting in and out, all scene transitions happened quickly and effectively.

Anne has many things which she'd like to change about herself, starting with her crimson hair. But at Oakcrest School's production of Anne of Green Gables: The Musical, Anne learned that she never had anything to be ashamed of to begin with. As Matthew sings in his final number: "Anne of Green Gables, never change, I like you just this way."

Maya Hossain
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - ARL/MC/Mont/DC

"Because when you are imagining, you might as well imagine something worthwhile." Anne's innocent piece of wisdom rang true as the audience saw more than something just "worthwhile" in Oakcrest School's performance of "Anne of Green Gables" - they witnessed something authentic and pure in this exuberant rendition of the cherished classic.

A unique twist on the classic "orphan Ann" stories that gained popularity at the turn of the 21st century, Lucy Maud Montgomery's 1908 novel "Anne of Green Gables" became one of the most beloved North American stories of all time and was adapted to be a musical in 1956. The story focuses on aging siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert who try to adopt a young boy to help them on their farm, but are instead sent 11 year old Anne Shirley, a girl with fiery red hair and a fiery personality to match.

Although many actresses had the challenge of portraying male roles, they all did justice to their respective characters. Male characters were played with authenticity and without restraint, and each member of the cast boasted powerful, well-controlled vocals. Every girl in the animated ensemble maintained distinct characterizations without losing the ability to blend well both in difficult harmonies and in interacting with the other characters

Clare Kolasch as the title character did an impeccable job of sweeping the audience into Anne's whimsical reverie. Vocally, Kolasch was absolutely incredible. She showed off strong vibrato and a wide range, while still maintaining Anne's childish spirit in songs like "Oh Mrs. Lynde!'. Every moment Kolasch was on stage was characterized by extravagant, sometimes melodramatic gestures and vocal inflections that excellently typified Anne's vivacious, cheeky personality. Although Anne is a naïve adolescent, she has some very heavy moments in the show, like when she grapples with her insecurities and copes with the trials and tribulations of growing up. Kolasch was able to fluidly shift away from unyielding glee and show the levels of emotion Anne has, which made the show really feel like the coming-of-age story it is intended to be. Anne truly was "forever young" through Kolasch's captivating performance.

Opposite Kolasch was Jill Collins, who portrayed Anne's quick-witted love interest, Gilbert Blythe. Collins tackled the difficult task of playing a convincing boy with great poise and skill; her beautiful alto voice and well-cultivated boyish mannerisms fostered the illusion perfectly. Collins and Kolasch developed a teasing, playful relationship that had all the marks of suppressed puppy-love, and their bond was showcased in songs like "I'll Show Him". Collins charmingly displayed Gilbert's unrequited feelings for Anne in "Wondrin'", and closed the show with a terrific duet with Kolasch in "Wondrin' (reprise)".

The set was partially student designed, and the creativity presented by the team showed thoughtfulness and care. The actresses were able to comfortably interact with the set and transitions between scenes were smooth due to the fluid design. Hair design was tactful; French braids were cleverly used to create the boy characters.

Ms. Montgomery once said, "All things great are wound up with all things little." It was the little things - the sweet, genuine moments cast members shared, the meticulous attention to detail, and the endearing spunk everyone brought to their roles – that made Oakcrest School's rendition of "Anne of Green Gables" so memorable and heart-warming.

Eni Oyeleye
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

A precocious and spunky orphan with red hair, a wild imagination, and a name that begins with "A"? No, our protagonist is not that girl with a hard-knock-life, but a girl named Anne who lives at Green Gables. Anne finds love, friendship, and most importantly, family in Oakcrest School's production of Anne of Green Gables: The Musical.

Anne of Green Gables is based on the beloved 1908 novel of the same name and premiered at Canada's Charlottetown Festival, where it has been performed annually since 1965. It is the world's longest running annual musical production, a testament to its enduring popularity.

A young girl named Anne excitedly searches for her new adoptive father at a train station, but her new father Matthew is not searching for her. Matthew is under impression that his new child is going to be a boy and when he is presented with Anne due to a mix up at the orphanage, he confusedly takes her home and introduces her to his sister Marilla who is none too pleased. Marilla and Matthew, a brother and sister pair who together adopt Anne, contemplate giving Anne up but ultimately decide to keep her. Anne's wild imagination and melodramatic nature cause tension with a stoic Marilla, but endear her to a warm Matthew. She takes her antics with her to school and faces the ire of her classmates and teacher, except for a girl named Diana who quickly becomes her best friend. A boy named Gilbert teases her, but only because he wants to be her "beau". As the years go on, Anne flourishes in her new environment and begins to call Green Gables home.

Oakcrest, an all-girls school, faced the challenge of portraying believable characters and creating believable relationships, and they did so commendably. The production benefited from strong vocal performances all around, with impressive soloists and incredibly well blended harmonies to boot.

Clare Kolasch gave a tour de force performance of a tour de force character. Kolasch's humorous, heartwarming, and at times hilariously histrionic portrayal of Anne was a pleasure to watch from curtain until bows. Her coming of age from an excitable and quirky little girl to a confident, but still quirky young woman did justice to the beloved character. Her beautiful soprano was to be applauded, but her stand out vocal moment happened in the form of a hysterical five minute facetiously apologetic ballad named "Oh Mrs. Lynde!"

Jill Collins was charming as Anne's one-time prospective beau, later her rival, and finally her friend. She shined in the longingly romantic "Wondrin", the dueling "I'll Show Him", and the conciliatory "Wondrin"(reprise). Kiley Hatch was adorable as Anne's best friend Diana Barry. From explaining to Anne the wonders of ice cream to imagining their future as "Kindred Spirits", she developed a believably loving relationship with Anne.

The set made an effective use of limited stage space and was a beautiful representation of an Avonlea farming community in the early 20th century. Set transitions were seamless, although there were problems with the volume and cutting in and out of mics.

At the beginning of Oakcrest High School's wistful production of Anne of Green Gables, Matthew and Marilla grumbled upon receiving Anne that they had "Clearly Requested A Boy". By the end of the evening, an emotional Matthew sang this of the little red-headed girl who had become a not-so-little red-headed woman: "Anne of Green Gables, never change, I like you just this way."

Andrew Sharpe
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Anne proclaims that "Red hair is my life-long sorrow," as she is dropped in her new life on Prince Edward Island filled with delicious treats and kindred spirits. Oakcrest High School's performance of Anne of Green Gables was anything but sorrowful as they solidly portrayed one of Canada's favorite shows.

The musical version of Anne of Green Gables is based of the 1908 novel of the same name by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. It is Canada's longest running musical and has had several TV series, movies, and stage productions based on the original story. The musical follows an 11 year-old girl named Anne Shirley who is adopted by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. The brother and sister intended to adopt a much-needed boy to help on the farm, but a mistake at the orphanage left them with Anne. Anne has to find her way with the Cuthberts, new people, and new relationships in the town of Green Gables.

The all-girls cast maintained strong vocals and enthusiasm throughout the entire show. They had to bring to life several male characters with the cunning combination of bobby pins and makeup. The music was also adjusted seamlessly to function with the higher voices of the cast.

Clare Kolasch tackled the role of the imaginative and playful Anne. Clare easily displayed Anne's growth from a talkative girl to a well-rounded young adult. Clare adroitly portrayed Anne's interest in everything romantic and developed an entertaining relationship with Gilbert. Their petty interactions reminded the audience of the excitement being a child. Clare also displayed superb vocal technique particularly in the song "Oh Mrs.Lynde!" where she hilariously apologized in an operatic style. Anne's awkward energy carried the show forward and was truly a delight to watch.

Anne's childish love interest Gilbert was expertly played by Jill Collins. She faced the challenge of singing songs originally set in a lower key and made it work well with her character. Jill beautifully expressed the confusing disposition of love in the song "Wondrin." The sick Matthew Cuthbert was portrayed by Annie Pacious. From the moment she first saw Anne, she started to create a gripping connection between the two characters. Matthew was a nice contrast from the stoic and reserved Marilla Cuthbert played by Eliana Talavera. Brigid Kilner hilariously portrayed Mrs.Lynde, the egotistical gossip girl of the town. Brigid had sharp comedic timing had humorous banter with all the characters.

The set for the show worked well in the simplistic environment of the stage. Despite some lack of attention to detail, the flats and furniture used in the show fit the time period and overall feeling of the show. Although sound struggled with the high amount of microphones, the cast projected well enough to be understood. Makeup also did a decent job of making the female members of the cast fit into male roles. Transitions for the show were all fairly simple and executed quite well.

The novel says "Because when you are imagining, you might as well imagine something worth while." Oakcrest High School's exemplary performance of Anne of Green Gables was definitely full of imagination and worth all the while.