How to go
What: Inspiring Arts Productions presents “Anne of Green Gables”
When: 7 p.m. Friday, June 10; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, June 11; 3 p.m. Sunday, June 12
Where: Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton
Tickets: $10; www.fittoncenter.org, 513-863-8873
More info: https://iapanne.wordpress.com/ or www.facebook.com/iapanne/
Looking for a kindred spirit? She just might be found when Inspiring Arts Productions presents “Anne of Green Gables.”
This musical by Cincinnati-based composers, lyricists and playwrights Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman brings the comical adventures of spunky red-headed orphan Anne Shirley to life, as she wins over her new family and the rest of Prince Edward Island.
“This is a highly entertaining show with beautiful music and endearing characters. The well-paced story features touching moments and so much laugh-out-loud dialogue. It is presented by a large, warm-hearted and well-trained student cast who welcome audiences into Avonlea at the turn of the century,” said Beth Kenniv, artistic director for the show and founding member of Inspiring Arts Productions.
Played by Anna Dudley of West Chester Twp. and Abbie Patrick of Clarksville, Anne Shirley is a young orphan from Nova Scotia, who is mistakenly sent to Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, a middle-aged brother and sister, who live on the Green Gables farm. At first, Marilla — portrayed by Rachel Dudley and Quinn York, both of West Chester Twp. — insists Anne return to the orphanage, but when she learns of her difficult childhood, she decides to allow Anne to stay and to raise her properly. Matthew, on the other hand, instantly bonds with Anne. He is played by Jacob Meadors of Hamilton.
The audience will join Anne on humorous adventures at school, watch her friendship with bosom friend Diana Barry blossom and delight in her academic rivalry with classmate Gilbert Blythe. Marked by her vivid imagination, the red-headed, freckle-faced girl finds endearing ways to get into trouble.
Other principle roles include Eva Milligan of Lebanon and Faith Marsh of Cincinnati as Diana Barry, John Kenniv of Mason as Gilbert Blythe, and Abigail Moore of Cincinnati and Anna Gress of West Chester Twp. as Rachel Lynde, the town busybody.
Performances will be held at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts in Hamilton on June 10-12.
“Anne of Green Gables” is directed by Beth Kenniv of Mason and produced by Lisa Cunningham of Liberty Twp., who bring over 20 combined years of musical experience to this production.
Kenniv talks more about the upcoming production and Inspiring Arts Productions.
Q: How did you decide on “Anne of Green Gables”?
A: We were looking for something with a beautiful story and charming characters for students to enjoy playing: we found it. Anne is a dearly loved favorite. Audiences and actors immediately get excited when they hear the title, and fans of the book will not be disappointed.
Q: What will the experience be like for the audience?
A: The Fitton Center theater offers an intimate experience where the audience surrounds the stage. There's not a bad seat in the house. The students have found it a new and exciting environment to perform in. With no curtain and limited set, the artistic possibilities are magnified we believe.
Q: What is Inspiring Arts Productions?
A: IAP is a brand new theater company that is dedicated to producing high quality, inspiring family-friendly theater in the north Cincinnati area. Each show will have its own focus, so some will be open to adults and kids, some to high school and college students; some to children under 18.
Q: Why is it important to have groups like IAP in the community?
A: People love theater. I know of no other endeavor that brings people together in such intimate and beautiful ways. IAP is a theater group that allows kids to enter the theater world without threat of being exposed to any of theater's more unwholesome aspects. IAP is consistently child-appropriate in all they present.
Q: How did Inspiring Arts Productions come to be?
A: The group originated in 2012 when composers James Kenniv and Jeff Smith and lyricist Dave Thompson teamed up with me as Inspiring Arts Group to write our first musical. That musical, "Horizons of Gold," was produced in 2013 in Hamilton gaining much community support. It brought together many like-minded families, who value wholesome art and new theatrical works. The goal of IAP is to write and perform original pieces, as well as to produce new locally written pieces (such as "Anne of Green Gables") and timeless classics.
Q: What’s next for Inspiring Arts Productions?
A: "Horizons of Gold," the dramatic and inspirational original new musical written by the Inspiring Arts Group, will be showing at Miami University, Hamilton campus (Parrish Auditorium) Aug. 12-14. "Horizons of Gold" is the powerful, modern retelling of the biblical book of Ruth; set in the dust bowl of Kansas in the 1930s. It will feature an experienced cast of young adults ages 14-25.
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