If you take your theater like some of us take our coffee -- strong and bitter -- "Anne of Green Gables" is not your cup of cocoa.
On the other hand, if you still get a warm glow thinking about the first time you saw a Shirley Temple movie, the current Contra Costa Christian Theatre production at Walnut Creek's Del Valle Theatre will not only be your cup of cocoa, but it'll toss in a couple of extra marshmallows on top.
To call a show "sweet and gentle" is usually the kiss of death in theater, but in this case the sweeter the show gets the more charming it becomes.
Based on the popular young adult novel by Canadian L.M. Montgomery, "Anne of Green Gables" tells the story of Anne Shirley (Jenna Stitch), essentially a mail-order orphan, who is sent to the farm home of Marilla (Heather Lane) and her brother Matthew (Keith Parker). Trouble begins almost immediately, because the brother and sister had specifically said they wanted a boy who could help Uncle Matthew with chores around the farm.
Set on turn-of-the-20th-century Prince Edward Island, the play immediately has a bucolic, small-town feel to it, helped considerably by Doug Ham's sets, and the costumes by Cindy Sarmiento. Both set a very specific mood from the moment Anne gets off the train to meet Matthew.
When Anne arrives at the farm, it becomes clear that Marilla runs things, but Matthew does his best to listen to exactly what she wants, then finds a way to do just what he pleases. It is also apparent that Anne has won over Matthew, but is less sure of Marilla, who, at least, doesn't send her packing that same day.
In fact, what may have persuaded Marilla to hang on to Anne is the fact that a neighbor was very interested in adopting a girl, and offers to take the tall redhead off her hands. Suddenly, Anne becomes valuable property, and Marilla accepts her into the house and the small family.
The story is about Anne becoming part of the farming community, then flourishing both socially and intellectually, as she grows up. Not only has she been able to charm Marilla, but the town gossip Rachel Lynde (a delightfully funny Rose Marie Sweeney) grudgingly sees some good in her -- and takes some credit for raising her.
What makes the play work is the cast -- particularly Stitch, Lane and Parker, who breathe a tremendous sense of reality into their characters. Stitch, particularly, does a fine job, as she makes Anne grow from a girl into a young woman, and a hugely engaging character.
"Anne of Green Gables" is a family show in the best sense. Kids (particularly girls) will enjoy the story, but there is enough detail and charm in the small-town tale to keep the adults entertained as well.
If you take your theater like some of us take our coffee -- strong and bitter -- "Anne of Green Gables" is not your cup of cocoa.
On the other hand, if you still get a warm glow thinking about the first time you saw a Shirley Temple movie, the current Contra Costa Christian Theatre production at Walnut Creek's Del Valle Theatre will not only be your cup of cocoa, but it'll toss in a couple of extra marshmallows on top.
To call a show "sweet and gentle" is usually the kiss of death in theater, but in this case the sweeter the show gets the more charming it becomes.
Based on the popular young adult novel by Canadian L.M. Montgomery, "Anne of Green Gables" tells the story of Anne Shirley (Jenna Stitch), essentially a mail-order orphan, who is sent to the farm home of Marilla (Heather Lane) and her brother Matthew (Keith Parker). Trouble begins almost immediately, because the brother and sister had specifically said they wanted a boy who could help Uncle Matthew with chores around the farm.
Set on turn-of-the-20th-century Prince Edward Island, the play immediately has a bucolic, small-town feel to it, helped considerably by Doug Ham's sets, and the costumes by Cindy Sarmiento. Both set a very specific mood from the moment Anne gets off the train to meet Matthew.
When Anne arrives at the farm, it becomes clear that Marilla runs things, but Matthew does his best to listen to exactly what she wants, then finds a way to do just what he pleases. It is also apparent that Anne has won over Matthew, but is less sure of Marilla, who, at least, doesn't send her packing that same day.
In fact, what may have persuaded Marilla to hang on to Anne is the fact that a neighbor was very interested in adopting a girl, and offers to take the tall redhead off her hands. Suddenly, Anne becomes valuable property, and Marilla accepts her into the house and the small family.
The story is about Anne becoming part of the farming community, then flourishing both socially and intellectually, as she grows up. Not only has she been able to charm Marilla, but the town gossip Rachel Lynde (a delightfully funny Rose Marie Sweeney) grudgingly sees some good in her -- and takes some credit for raising her.
What makes the play work is the cast -- particularly Stitch, Lane and Parker, who breathe a tremendous sense of reality into their characters. Stitch, particularly, does a fine job, as she makes Anne grow from a girl into a young woman, and a hugely engaging character.
"Anne of Green Gables" is a family show in the best sense. Kids (particularly girls) will enjoy the story, but there is enough detail and charm in the small-town tale to keep the adults entertained as well.
If you take your theater like some of us take our coffee -- strong and bitter -- "Anne of Green Gables" is not your cup of cocoa.
On the other hand, if you still get a warm glow thinking about the first time you saw a Shirley Temple movie, the current Contra Costa Christian Theatre production at Walnut Creek's Del Valle Theatre will not only be your cup of cocoa, but it'll toss in a couple of extra marshmallows on top.
To call a show "sweet and gentle" is usually the kiss of death in theater, but in this case the sweeter the show gets the more charming it becomes.
Based on the popular young adult novel by Canadian L.M. Montgomery, "Anne of Green Gables" tells the story of Anne Shirley (Jenna Stitch), essentially a mail-order orphan, who is sent to the farm home of Marilla (Heather Lane) and her brother Matthew (Keith Parker). Trouble begins almost immediately, because the brother and sister had specifically said they wanted a boy who could help Uncle Matthew with chores around the farm.
Set on turn-of-the-20th-century Prince Edward Island, the play immediately has a bucolic, small-town feel to it, helped considerably by Doug Ham's sets, and the costumes by Cindy Sarmiento. Both set a very specific mood from the moment Anne gets off the train to meet Matthew.
When Anne arrives at the farm, it becomes clear that Marilla runs things, but Matthew does his best to listen to exactly what she wants, then finds a way to do just what he pleases. It is also apparent that Anne has won over Matthew, but is less sure of Marilla, who, at least, doesn't send her packing that same day.
In fact, what may have persuaded Marilla to hang on to Anne is the fact that a neighbor was very interested in adopting a girl, and offers to take the tall redhead off her hands. Suddenly, Anne becomes valuable property, and Marilla accepts her into the house and the small family.
The story is about Anne becoming part of the farming community, then flourishing both socially and intellectually, as she grows up. Not only has she been able to charm Marilla, but the town gossip Rachel Lynde (a delightfully funny Rose Marie Sweeney) grudgingly sees some good in her -- and takes some credit for raising her.
What makes the play work is the cast -- particularly Stitch, Lane and Parker, who breathe a tremendous sense of reality into their characters. Stitch, particularly, does a fine job, as she makes Anne grow from a girl into a young woman, and a hugely engaging character.
"Anne of Green Gables" is a family show in the best sense. Kids (particularly girls) will enjoy the story, but there is enough detail and charm in the small-town tale to keep the adults entertained as well.
