Anne of Green Gables, the Martyr

Artist Diana Thorneycroft has created a piece called The Martyrdom of St. Anne which is on exhibit as part of The Canadian Martyrdom Series, which is on display at the Ottawa School of Art Gallery through November 22, 2009. The piece includes a photograph of an Anne of Green Gables doll carrying a plate holding her severed breasts. The image is based on a painting called the Martyrdom of St. Agatha by Francisco de Zurbaran. Along with this image of Anne of Green Gables, Thorneycroft’s exhibit depicts the martyrdom of many other Canadian icons to depict the union of religion and torture.

Anne of Green Gables depicted as martyr by CBC News, Tuesday, October 20, 2009

L.M. Montgomery Conference in Sweden

There are Anne fans all over the world, as evidenced yet again by a recent L.M. Montgomery conference in Uppsala, Sweden.

Montgomery celebrated in Sweden by Jocelyne Lloyd, The Journal Pioneer, September 9, 2009

Here’s a related article:
Anne of the world Editorial in The Journal Pioneer, September 9, 2009

Anne of Green Gables vs. Laura Ingalls of Little House on the Prairie

Please vote for Anne Shirley in this poll that pits Anne of Green Gables vs. Laura Ingalls of Little House on the Prairie.

I like Laura Ingalls, but I think Anne should win. I tested out my theory in GoogleFight, where you can see from the results that Anne of Green Gables should win.

My Interview on Anne of Green Gables

Something exciting happened yesterday.  I received an email from Darren Garnick, a reporter at the Boston Herald named, who asked me a couple questions about Anne of Green Gables.  He was writing an article about Cavendish Figurines‘ “Dress up as Anne” photo booth at the Confederation Bridge.  Unfortunately, I’d never visited the booth during my trip, in spite of crossing the Confederation Bridge.  I guess that means I’ll have to go back to PEI!    Darren asked to interview me about Anne and included the interview in his Boston Herald Blog “Working Stiff.”

Here are Darren Garnick’s three articles on Anne of Green Gables and some of his photos:

Boston Herald: For $2, you can be “Anne of Green Gables”

Jeannette Arsenault next to the Dress Up as Anne wall

Boston Herald Blog: “Dress for Success: Why can’t Lexington and Concord be this photo-op friendly?
(features an interview with me)

Anne of Green Gables Costumes

Tacky Tourist Photos: Third runner-up in the “Anne of Green Gables” lookalike contest

Here’s Darren himself as Anne Shirley!

Darren of Green Gables

I hope you enjoy the articles as much as I did!

Talented, blind 12-year-old pianist named Lang Lang loves Anne

I just read this wonderful article about a talented 12-year-old blind pianist named Lang Lang, who is known as “Master Lai.”  Currently Lai is reading Anne of Green Gables, and he comments that, “‘I think Anne has a daring character. She always gets herself into trouble but she learns from this.’”

Blind boy scales heights
editor Deng Shasha, China Daily, Xinhua

New Anne of Avonlea Musical in the Works

A new Anne of Green Gables musical is in the works!  This is exciting news from the Sullivan Entertainment newsletter.

“Emmy award-winning producer, Kevin Sullivan and composer Peter Breiner (who scored the Anne 3 and 4 soundtracks) are prepping to stage ANNE OF AVONLEA™ (as a new Anne of Green Gables musical), based on Sullivan’s multi award-winning Anne movie adaptations. The production is in negotiation to launch in the US in the new year with Sullivan writing both book and lyrics and Breiner composing the musical score.

‘We are very excited to expand our Anne of Green Gables brand, with this classic musical production, to a whole new audience and generation of young people that may never have seen Anne before,” says Executive Producer Trudy Grant. “Kevin’s film adaptations of L.M. Montgomery’s novels have had a beguiling and emotional impact on audiences over their 25 year history and this sparkling new production with its breath-taking music has had a similar audience effect in advance readings and performances.’”

Click here to read the full article.

ABC News Article on PEI and Anne of Green Gables

Find Anne of Green Gables on Prince Edward Island: Prince Edward Island charms visitors like its famous fictional resident, Anne of Green Gables by Jamie Stengle, The Associated Press, ABC News

Anne of Green Gables-Inspired Artwork

I wish I could check out Yoko Kawaguchi’s art exhibit in Charlottetown this weekend.

Awed by the land of Anne: Artist Yoko Kawaguchi is thrilled with her chance to showcase her work in the P.E.I.-inspired Fantasy Art exhibit
by Sally Cole, The Guardian, August 25, 2009

An Avonlea Convention (AvCon) Recap

Sullivan Entertainment has posted a recap of the Avonlea Convention (AvCon) events, which took place last weekend.  It looks like so much fun!  The group visited all sorts of Anne of Green Gables and L.M. Montgomery locations and got to hear stories from a number of Road to Avonlea cast members.

AvCon Recap

Avcon Photos

Official AvCon Website

Maud of Cavendish

Here are some articles on the new play “Maud of Cavendish” by Anne Kathleen McLaughlin about L.M. Montgomery. The play will be performed at the Green Gables House, which is a National Historic Site in Cavendish, P.E.I.

Green Gables backdrop for Lucy Maud play by CBC News, cbc.ca, Friday, July 17, 2009.

In memory of Maud: Montgomery Theatre’s second season begins tonight by Nancy MacPhee, The Journal Pioneer, July 16, 2009.