The Anne and Gilbert Musical Blog

Anne & Gilbert, The Musical marks 500th performance
The Guardian

The celebrated musical about Anne of Green Gables in love, Anne & Gilbert, The Musical will mark its 500th public performance tonight.

This landmark is unusual for Canadian musicals, one of the few Canadian musicals in recent decades to have received so many performances.

The 500 performances have been spread across the country, with performances in Prince Edward Island, Ontario and Western Canada. For 2010, the performances will likely move into the thousands as the marketing push by the Samuel French company will yield numerous U.S. productions.

Anne & Gilbert, The Musical is based on the sequel novels to Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery. First produced in the 150-seat Victoria Playhouse theatre in Prince Edward Island, it now attracts 20,000 theatre goers each summer in Summerside. It is written by Nancy White, Jeff Hochhauser and Bob Johnston.

"We are thrilled about reaching the 500th performance mark," said producer Campbell Webster. "It is especially exciting given that Anne & Gilbert's sterling critical and audience reputation has been built largely by Islanders. The Anne & Gilbert company is almost 90% Islanders and over five years they have worked hard to create a world class show."

The numerous performances for Anne & Gilbert are likely soon headed for faraway shores, with plans underway for a Japanese tour in 2012.

Anne & Gilbert runs until Sept. 20 at the Harbourfront Theatre, with two rare matinees scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12. and Sunday, Sept. 20.

To book tickets to the any of the remaining performances, including the 500th performance, call 1-800-708-6505 or visit www.AnneAndGilbert.com.