Jory Rossiter will play Gilbert Bylthe in the Prince Edward Island production of the hit musical Anne & Gilbert. He’ll co-star with Amy Reitsma who has been cast as Anne Shirley. The announcement was made by the Harbourfront Theatre, in Summerside, where the musical begins its sixth year of production in June.
It’s a continuation of sorts for the Toronto-based actor. In 2004, Rossiter played a youthful Gilbert in the Confederation Centre of the Arts production of Anne of Green Gables. “It’s ironic,” says Rossiter. “I had to leave my run of Gilbert a few weeks short of the closing night because of an injury. So, I sort of felt like there has been unfinished business between me and the role of Gilbert.”
Martha Irving, director of Anne & Gilbert, says, “I think it’s wonderfully fitting that now that Jory is a few years older, he’s playing the same character a few years on. He truly understands Gilbert’s history and his dreams. Jory’s a beautifully sensitive and nuanced performer whose enthusiasm for Anne and Gilbert, the Musical is almost tangible. I think he and Amy Reitsma will have a wonderful chemistry together.”
Rossiter says it’s difficult to single out just one quality he likes about the character. “To me, Gilbert is the quintessential ‘All-Canadian-Lad’: strong, hard-working, athletic, artistic, compassionate, humble yet proud.”
Anne & Gilbert is based on the sequel novels to Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery and reveals Anne as an independent-minded young woman about to start her first job. Romantic complications unfold when childhood sweetheart Gilbert Blythe proposes marriage. Written by Jeff Hochhauser, Bob Johnston and Nancy White, the musical features fourteen cast members, a young people’s chorus and a live orchestra. The producer is Maurice Gallant.
Anne & Gilbert runs June 15 to September 26 — three shows a week — Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday (matine). For tickets contact the Harbourfront Theatre at 1-800-708-6505 or www.harbourfrontheatre.com.
