So, there was a bit of a do going on in downtown Charlottetown this past Saturday evening.
It was at the Confederation Centre — ever hear of it? Me neither.
Apparently, it was built to commemorate some kind of historical event. We should really try to do more to promote this whole Confederation thing.
Anyway, the hoopla was for a little-known production called Anne of Green Gables — The Musical.
Again, I was drawing a blank. Forty-five years it’s been running now, apparently.
And, after seeing it, I’m thinking this Anne character might be pretty marketable. Somebody in the Tourism Department should get on that.
No, of course I’m familiar with Lucy Maud’s famous creation, Anne Shirley.
Less so, admittedly, with the successful musical adaptation by Don Harron and Norman Campbell. But, not unlike Anne’s dislike of her iconic red hair, I’ve sometimes found myself turning my nose up at the best-promoted images of P.E.I. — Confederation, potatoes and Anne herself. 
So, I was skeptical. It’s been 22 years since I last saw the musical production of Anne (and subsequently won the lookalike contest, in the category of Matthew, held by my second grade class.) 
There were some youngsters peppered amongst the mostly adult crowd this night who were seeing it with those same widened eyes that I assume I once had.
And you know what? I was thoroughly entertained the entire time.
Yes, beforehand, I was hoping I’d get a chance to display my intimidating critical prowess in this, my first review, leaving all other theatre shows I will be visiting this summer trembling. But no, I was smiling and even humming throughout.
Was I moved? Oh, maybe a couple of times. But it was really the aesthetics of the show,
professional and cohesive, that grabbed me.
The visuals were gorgeous. The scrims (or are they backdrops? But they’re near the front of the stage?) that drop during set changes, in particular, a quilted pattern and a repeating floral patterned one, reminiscent of a golden era in graphic design, added a wonderful storybook feel.
I understand that some of the set pieces have been with the production for years. Well, they weaved perfectly with the newer elements.
Another backdrop, this one at the Sunday picnic scene, complemented well a burst of applause from the audience (usually reserved for the ends of songs, it seems) as it began to rotate during the egg-in-spoon race spectacle — one of many engaging group choreographed dances.
Although you can’t escape the quaintness, I appreciated some of the more stylistic liberties taken in design, eschewing a possible hokey cartoonish romanticism. Certainly the centerpiece of set design was Green Gables itself. Complete with a dollhouse-like removable wall on the top floor, and trees plucked from the background of an old Hanna-Barbera cartoon, it was a perfect marriage of style and function.
Oh right, and there were some actors, too.
The title role, channeled impeccably by Amy Wallis, was captivating. Anne moved confidently and on beat. You could see her mind racing and follow her romantic digressions.
Vocally, she was unwavering — her talent first truly hit me during “The Apology” to Mrs. Lynde.
I couldn’t take my eyes off of Marilla, played by Janet MacEwen, when she was on stage. She delivered the most moving scene, returning home after Matthew’s funeral. (oops, did I give away that ending? Or is Anne a tragedy, and so we all know what’s coming anyway?)
Throughout, her stone-faced, unimpressed glances to Anne were countered wonderfully by Matthew’s doting. Sandy Winsby, as Matthew, who I had initially misread as playing the role too subdued, captured the audience with every subtle gesture and bumbling line — a favourite being an otherwise benign miming of cleaning off his shoes before he entered the house. 
The large cast, too many to individually mention, were exceptionally tight.
All this, wrapped in a score deftly delivered from a world-class pit orchestra — every swell and lull coaching the audience through.
So, don’t be like I was. You can go and be entertained by Anne. I’ll still think you’re cool.

Lennie MacPherson is a Charlottetown-based writer, actor and musician. He welcomes
your feedback at mockmywoods@gmail.com