Kaitlin Moye may not have red hair, but she says she resembles cheery orphan Anne Shirley -- whom she plays in The Family Theatre’s production of Anne of Avonlea -- in other ways.
“I think I resemble Anne is some ways,” Moye said. “She can be really quick on her feet. Sometimes that can be good and bad.”
“Anne of Avonlea” is the sequel to “Anne of Green Gables,” which the theatre has performed in the past. Both plays are based on the popular children’s series written by Lucy Maud Montgomery in the early 20th century. In “Anne of Green Gables” Anne is adopted by Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert despite the trouble she causes with her temper and imagination. In “Anne of Avonlea” Anne becomes a teacher at Avonlea School, but her brushes with mischief don’t stop.
One of Moye’s favorite scenes is set in Anne’s classroom.
“I like the scene where Anne has a toothache in the classroom,” said Moye. She’s in a bad mood, which is different from Anne’s usually cheery and optimistic disposition, she said. “It just shows a different side of Anne.”
“I think it’s just because she gets to whip Anthony Pye,” said Blake Lowry, who plays Gilbert Blythe. Gilbert teases Anne about her red hair in “Anne of Green Gables,” but the pair become close friends in “Anne of Avonlea.”
Lowry said he’s naturally more enthusiastic than Gilbert. “Gilbert is the stereotypical boy next door. I’m usually very goofy and cartoonish -- very animated. He’s not.”
The play also includes other familiar characters from the first novel, like Anne’s best friend Diana Barry, played by Kathryn Wood, and her guardian, Marilla Cuthbert, played by Cheryl Palmour. Palmour also directs the play and said she chose it because she liked Anne’s story.
“It’s sort of the character of Anne. She’s an outsider that has to work her way into being accepted,” she said. “The story has a lot of human appeal.”
The theatre, which operates in an annex at Rose Hill Baptist Church, tries to showcase family-oriented plays, she said. This season they are also planning a production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Palmour said the theatre has a “relaxed atmosphere,” that attracts those new to acting as well as people like Moye and Lowry, who have appeared in productions at the Springer Theatre before. Families sometimes appear in productions together as well.
“All of your family can participate,” said Kara Lobley, who plays another friend of Anne’s, Julia Bell. “And all the cast works together as a family.”
Lobley also provides the off-stage voice for a pet parrot belonging to one of Anne’s neighbor’s, Mr. Harrison. The bird frequently interrupts scenes with funny dialogue even though it never appears on-stage.
“The parrot always says the craziest things at the worst times,” Lobley said.
The cast includes several younger kids, like Sydney Cardwell, who plays a younger version of Anne in flashback scenes. Cardwell, who is nine, has been acting with The Family Theatre since she was four. She said she likes to read, like Anne, but she wouldn’t always want her wardrobe.
“I like wearing dresses, but I wouldn’t like to wear them all the time because I like to climb trees and stuff,” she said.
The older cast members said working with the younger kids makes the experience more enjoyable.
“I adore the little kids,” said Wood.
“I was very impressed with the little kid who plays Davy,” Lowry added. “He was off-book (meaning off-script) before everyone else.”
Moye said she felt pressure to set a good example for the younger kids, but that she’d bonded with Cardwell.
“They get so excited. Sydney said to me ‘Bigger version of me, I am so excited about this play.’ That’s what she calls me,” she said, laughing.
Palmour said she liked watching the young actors learn their parts. “It’s really fun to watch the growth of all the kids,” she said.
Sara Pauff, reporter, can be reachedat 706-320-4469
