PRESS RELEASE
Community School of the Arts announces ANNE OF GREEN GABLES on APRIL 13
CSA Theatre is proud to present Anne of Green Gables! This is the third installment of our literature based straight-play series. Following plays such as Charlotte’s Web and The Velveteen Rabbit, this production of Anne of Green Gables will fill you with the nostalgia of this classic retelling. In this faithful, unsentimental dramatization of the first part of the beloved classic, Marilla Cuthbert and her brother Matthew request an orphan boy to help work their farm. They are mistakenly sent the high-spirited, red-head named Anne Shirley. Knowing they are ill-equipped to raise a child, Marilla attempts to send Anne back to the orphanage. With Matthew lobbying to keep Anne, Marilla ultimately agrees to let her stay at Green Gables. The trials and tribulations Marilla fears come to pass as Anne insults Marilla’s best friend, “loses” Marilla’s most cherished brooch, smacks the school’s prize pupil with a slate, and inadvertently gets her best friend, Diana, drunk on cherry cordial. She also turns out to be bright, charming, resourceful and full of irresistible imagination. Marilla and Matthew admit she is the best thing that ever happened to them, and Anne comes to understand she is a loved, worthwhile person.
Anne of Green Gables is directed by CSA Theatre directing student, Sarah Goodman. Sarah is a member of CSA’s Thespian Troupe and received a top scholarship at this year’s Arkansas State Thespian Festival. “Throughout this directing process, I’ve taken these life lessons from Anne and the people of Avonlea to heart. It’s very inspiring to see how these kids have brought this story to life. Directing this group has truly been a joy and I’m very excited to finally share this story with the community!” Goodman said about the directing process. Fellow CSA Theatre student, Karly Jones, is serving as the productions stage manager. Dylan Blackwood is serving as the directing mentor for the production. Blackwood has directed the last two literacy productions at CSA, and is happy to pass the torch to Sarah. “Sarah has so much potential as a director. It has been amazing to watch her visions come to life throughout the rehearsal process!” said Blackwood. Anne of Green Gables will be performed on Saturday, April 13 at 2pm and 7pm. Both performances will be held at the King Opera House in Van Buren. Tickets are $18 for Adults, $15 for Students, and $12 for groups of 10 or more. For more information: call (479) 434-2020 or visit us online at csafortsmith.org/stars-on-stage.
Quote from Dr. Rosilee Russell, Executive Director: “Anne of Green Gables is an absolutely wonderful show that the entire family must see! I’m pleased that we present both musical theatre and theatre for our community to enjoy. The cast of this show is extremely talented and I’m proud of all of them!”
Students by City, State:
Fort Smith: Evangelina Bragger, Travis Bragger, Kalliope Holland, Emery Johnson, Charlie Kirk, Nora Lodes, Ian Lodes, Zinna Wagner
Van Buren: Payton Hiler, Eleanor Howell
Mansfield: Katy Jones
Ratcliff: Hannah Bailer
Sallisaw, OK: Zoey Savage
