Brookfield Residents, including Mother and Daughter, Perform in Acacia Theatre’s “Anne of Green Gables”

Photo - Mary Caroline Tilton,Mary Ellen Atwood, Filippo Carini, Abbey Pitchford in "Anne of Green Gables."

Four Brookfield residents help bring Acacia Theatre’s “Anne of Green Gables” to the stage. Danette Buikema, of Brookfield, directs the production. Filippo Carini, also of Brookfield, plays the Postmaster and the Doctor. Mary Ellen Atwood and her daughter, Maura Atwood, both residents of Brookfield, also perform in this timeless L.M. Montgomery classic. Anne Shirley’s story comes to life in this new award-winning musical, with book and lyrics book by Gretchen Cryer and music by Nancy Ford. Follow the adventures of a wildly independent orphan with fiery red hair and a temper to match.

Maura Atwood launched into preparations for her role as Josie Pye. “Along with the typical memorizing of lines and learning music, I have had to think a little more than usual about forming my character, physically and mentally, since Josie Pye is the first ‘nasty girl’ I have ever played,” she explains.

“Throughout the play, the characters learn to give grace to one another. I can't say that my
character ever learns anything,” says Maura, “but I think Anne’s character learns to have grace when dealing with my character, Josie Pye.”

“I have been very familiar with all the Anne books for a long time. My first reaction to this show was, ‘Oh, I hope I can get in the chorus!’ I wanted to watch the story be formed through my old friend Acacia. I think it will be formed very well, and I'm very excited,” says Maura.

“My favorite part of the show, besides the beautiful story itself, is the fact that I can act with my mother again. She and I have been in Acacia shows together before, and it means a lot to me to be doing another with her before I start college,” says Maura. Her mother, Mary Ellen Atwood, plays Rachael Lynde in this production.

She says, “I think it's great fun playing Rachel Lynde. I've been wanting to do that role ever since I saw the film by Kevin Sullivan in the 80"s.”

Danette Buikema, director, describes the entire cast and crew. “It's important to have a very strong cast to tell that story, and an equally strong crew to support it, which we definitely have. The characters, the emotions, the songs, the scenes are all varied and interesting.”

A prominent theme of the production is the power of goodness. Anne brings grace to her new home and finds that grace can be received as well. Her new “parents” Matthew and eventually Marilla are incredibly kind to her, and so are her new friends. “Grace oozes in this show from top to bottom. Anne shows grace in how she deals with disappointment in her life. Despite huge obstacles, which include being orphaned, living in the home of the drunken Mr. Thomas, caring for his children, being sent to another home to care for 8 children, and ending up rejected in an orphan asylum at age 12, Anne still sees beauty in creation and in her imagination,” says Buikema.

All performances will be given in Concordia University Wisconsin’s Todd Wehr Auditorium, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive in Mequon, Wis.

Anne Shirley, a passionately self-determined child, is mistakenly sent to live with a plainspoken farmer and his spinster sister, who thought they were adopting a boy. She wins them and all of Prince Edward Island over with her irrepressible spirit and imagination. Experience this poignant story about love, abundant grace, home and family.

Performances on Friday, July 13, 2012 at 8pm, Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 8pm, Sunday, July 15, 2012 at 3pm, Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 8pm, Friday, July 20, 2012 at 8pm, Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 4pm and 8pm, and Sunday, July 22, 2012 at 3pm.

Tickets will be available by calling (414) 744-5995 or at www.acaciatheatre.com.
Prices - Single ticket cost is $16; senior, student, clergy ticket cost is $13.