By MIKE CHAIKEN
EDITIONS EDITOR
A young orphan girl arrives at a farm, expecting to be welcomed into a new family.
However the new family is taken aback when the orphan arrives. They had been expecting a boy who could help out on the farm on Prince Edward Island.
But instead, they get the chatty and loquacious 12-year-old Anne.
St. Paul Performing Arts transports the story of “Anne of Green Gables” to the Stafford Avenue stage Friday night through Sunday.
Sarah Stanford, 17, takes on the role of the young Anne.
“I like (the story) a lot because it’s about a bright bubbly person coming into a quiet stern home and shows how she can change the environment and turn it into a happy place, which I love” said Sarah.
“I love the relationships she forms with… the people who adopted her,” said Sarah. “I think it’s really amazing.”
Sarah said she loves her character, Anne because she has a “positive outlook on everything. Even when times are tough, she’s always so positive.”
“I think that’s something everybody can work on,” said Sarah.
Additionally, said Sarah, “I love how she’s so creative and she brings a sense of happiness to wherever she goes.”
For Sarah, the character is similar in some ways to herself.
“I would describe myself as extremely bubbly and I love to make other people smile,” said Sarah. “And I love to chat.”
“(Anne) also finds great joy in making other people smile and so do I,” said Sarah.
As for the stage adaptation of the novel being performed by St. Paul, Sarah said, “I think it’s such a beautifully written script. There are so many hilarious lines that Anne has that make her personality so different and so special.”
Regarding the St. Paul production, Sarah said, “I think working with such a talented cast has definitely helped me… and we’ve helped each other.”
Mark Mazzarella, the drama advisor at St. Paul “has incorporated a lot of really fun descriptions and things to do to make characters really stand out and be defined,” said Sarah.
“We took the script and interpreted it in a way to make it best for everyone,” said Sarah.
As for why audience should see the show, Sarah said, “It’s really good for all ages.”
“We’ve put on our own spin on it,” said Sarah. “It’s so heartwarming and it shows the themes of love.”
“I think it could be really enjoyed by a lot of people,” said Sarah.
Performances of “Anne of Green Gables” are Friday, Nov. 11 and Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov 13 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul Catholic High School, 1001 Stafford Ave., Bristol. Tickets are $8 for students, $12 for seniors, and $15 for adults.
Comments? Email mchaiken@BristolObserver.com.
Sarah Stanford rehearses a scene from the St. Paul Performing Arts production of ‘Anne of Green Gables.’ Stanford has the title role.
Joseph Schigas, left, and Sarah Stanford rehearse a scene from the St. Paul Performing Arts production of ‘Anne of Green Gables.’ Stanford has the title role.