To borrow a line from one of the most popular songs in Anne & Gilbert, the cast and creative team will be “island through and through”.
Leading the strong Island contingent is the director Martha Irving. Ms. Irving has a long and distinguished film, television, and stage career in North America and the Charlottetown production will be the third time this celebrated Canadian theatre professional has directed the musical.
Ms. Irving is joined by Brittany Banks, who is both the choreographer and a performer in the show, playing Diana Barry. Ms. Banks has performed in all of the seven previous Island productions of Anne & Gilbert-The Musical.
Returning in the role of Josie Pye is Brieonna Locche. Two other popular character roles will also feature Islanders with Morgan Wagner as Philippa Gordon . The list of Islanders grows longer with Andrew German, Olivia King and Celia Koughan all joining the cast. There will be a ten-person Young Company in addition to the main cast. Names of the Young Company will be announced soon.
Nancy White, born and raised in PEI, is one of the co-writers of the Anne & Gilbert show and composer of some of it’s most popular tunes. Ms. White became nationally known for her humourous topical songs on CBC Radio’s Sunday Morning and has performed in theatres and music and comedy festivals across the country. She is regarded as one of Canada’s great comic songwriters.
Behind the curtain, the Island connection continues with Tanya Gallant as Production Manager, Kelly Caseley as Head of Wardrobe, Michelle Banks as Company Manager, and Ian Costello as Assistant Stage Manager.
“Anne & Gilbert embraces a simple idea,” said Alanna Jankov, Executive Director of The Guild. “Put together a first rate cast that is also mostly Islanders. Islanders are among the most talented performers, and no matter where in Canada the auditions were conducted, Island talent impressed.”
Since Anne & Gilbert first premiered it has gone on to receive international critical praise. Newsweek, New York’s VARIETY, the Toronto Star, The Ottawa Citizen, and dozens of other media outlets have celebrated Anne & Gilbert.
Anne & Gilbert’s critical success led it to being produced on over thirty different stages across North America, including Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston, and in the USA in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Washington and Iowa.
Anne & Gilbert is the only Canadian musical ever to receive a recording industry Album of the Year Award (ECMA) for its original cast recording.
Anne & Gilbert beings June 18 and runs until October 13. There are eight shows a week, with matinees and evening performances available. Tickets can be purchased on-line from The Guild or by calling the box office at 1-877-566-3346
