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About 50 cast members and 50 crew are in rehearsals for the Kincardine Theatre Guild production of "Anne of Green Gables, the Musical," set to open Nov. 17 at the Kincardine Arts Centre.

Director Shirley Bieman says there are 26 children and teenagers in the show, and many have never been on stage before.

Speaking of casts, Patt Lowry has one on her wrist after breaking it last week. She had been playing the keyboard for rehearsals and was planning to play for the show, but has handed over that job to Brenda Manderson. Also providing live music are Chris Lazarenko on violin and Lisa Klein Haar on bass violin. Elaine (Van Rooyen) Slade is doing the choreography.

One of the newcomers to the stage is Steven Travale, playing one of the main roles of Gilbert Blyth.

The 13-year-old son of Monique and Steve Travale of Point Clark says he thought it would be an interesting opportunity because he has never acted on stage before.

"I'm comfortable on stage because I've been an MC for events before," he says, "but I'm working on the singing part. I do a fair amount of singing as Gilbert, by myself and with others."

He says it has been a lot of fun and a great experience. "I'm going to come back and audition for 'Hollywood Arms'. "

Steven says he tried out for the part because his friend, Brontae Hunter, is involved in theatre. They are both in Grade 8 at St. Anthony's School in Kincardine, and Brontae urged him to audition.

"I practised the lines with Brontae and then I auditioned and I got the part," he says. "I would like to continue in community theatre, but my goal is to become a chef."

Besides school and theatre, Steven is part of the multicultural committee in Kincardine, the diversity committee and the student's council at his school, and he has joined the Youth Waves Coalition.

He likes curling in the winter and enjoys trying new things.

"I tried theatre and I like it," he says.

Joining Steven on stage are:

• Olivia Nussey as Anne Shirley
• Janice Griffith as Marilla Cuthbert
• Chris Mercanti as Matthew Cuthbert
• Alexandra Chapleau, 14, as Diana Barry
• Mary Beth Dennis as Rachel Lynde
• Joyce Ellis as Mrs. McPherson
• Liz Small as Mrs. Barry
• Jennifer House as Mrs. Sloan
• Martha Hack as Mrs. Pye
• Kevin Nussey as Earl the Mailman
• Jim Peddie as Cecil the Farmer
• Marla Chapleau as Mrs. Spencer
• Leise Peddie as Mrs. Blewett
• Rachel Anstett, 17, as Prissy Andrews
• Brontae Hunter, 11, as Josie Pye
• Robyn Mercanti, 12, as Ruby Gillis
• Lara Clubb, 14, as Tillie Boulter
• Devony House, 7, as Gertie Pye
• Marc Glipo, 13, as Tommy Sloan
• Timothy McTiernan, 14, as Gerry Buote
• Liam Chapleau, 10, as Charlie Sloan
• Carson Rutledge, 9, as Moody MacPherson
• Gabriel Pitre, 11, as Malcolm Andrews
• John Adams as Mr. Phillips
• Melinda Smegal as Lucilla
• Kathleen Reilley as Miss Stacy
• David Ellis as the Minister
• Josiah Chalmers as the Station Master
• Plus 15 girls, six boys, three women and two men

NEW FACES

Carson Rutledge is new to the stage as Moody MacPherson.

The nine-year-old son of Colleen and Bill Rutledge of Huron-Kinloss says it's a lot of fun, interacting with other people on stage.

"They are all helping me out and that's great," he says. The singing isn't too hard for him because he sings with the Pine River Cherubs choir.

He is in Grade 4 at Ripley-Huron Community School and enjoys playing hockey and soccer.

Lara Clubb, 14, of Kincardine is playing Tillie Boulter.

"I have auditioned before but this is my first part," she says. "My brother, William, is an actor and lives in Toronto.

"I don't have a lot to say, but in most scenes, I'm the real 'pain'."

The Grade 9 student at Kincardine District Secondary School (KDSS) plays hockey, and is the daughter of Diane Clubb and Bill Clubb.

Martha Hack of Kincardine is playing Mrs. Pye.

"My daughter, Michelle, wanted to be in the play, so we both came out to audition, and we were both selected," she says. "I sing with the Kincardine Community Singers so the singing part is okay. It's fun."

She and her husband have three children and are farmers in the former Kincardine Township.

Marc Glipo, 13, of Kincardine, is playing Tommy Sloan.

A Grade 8 student at St. Anthony's School, he is the son of Sarita and Arcadio Glipo.

"Some of my friends were auditioning, and I like to sing and dance, so I tried out too and got the part," he says. "It's fun. You meet a lot of great people. I have some solos and sing in groups as well."

Marc enjoys reading, spending time with his family, and playing school sports.

Gabriel Pitre, 11, of Kincardine, is playing the part of Malcolm Andrews.

The Grade 7 student at St. Anthony's School is the son of Daniel and Samantha Pitre.

"My dad encouraged me to try out for the play, so I did," he says. "It's a lot of fun. I've never been in a play before."

Gabriel likes playing golf, baseball and kick-boxing.

Kathleen Reilley is Miss Stacy, the teacher.

Originally from Sacramento, California, she has been in plays before. She and her husband, Matthew Dodd, lived in Hamilton for seven years. Their baby was born in February, and then they moved to Kincardine in March. Dodd works for Bruce Telecom.

With all the transition, Reilley says she wanted an opportunity to get out and meet people, so the theatre was it.

"I saw the auditions advertised so I decided to try out, and I got the part," she says. "I was so excited. It's been great working with the people in the theatre guild. I like community theatre. I'm used to doing chorus work, but in this show I have to do a lot of singing alone."

Kevin Nussey is Earl the Mailman, and father of Olivia Nussey who has the starring role as Anne.

"I came to read when my daughter tried out for the part of Anne Shirley," says Nussey. "She never told me there was going to be singing involved. I suppose I'll be providing the comic relief."

A Bruce Power worker, he is enjoying the rehearsals. "I'm warming up to the idea of actually performing. It'll be fun."

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Monday, October 24, 2011