Previews Begin This Weekend at Cavendish's Montgomery Theatre!

Inaugural season includes Oscar Wilde’Äôs The Importance of Being Earnest,

Village Wooing by George Bernard Shaw and a new adaptation of

Kenneth Grahame’Äôs The Wind in the Willows

Cavendish, PEI ’Äì In celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the publication of Anne of Green Gables, the community of Cavendish, Prince Edward Island will welcome audiences to a brand new, fully professional theatre this summer.

Previews begin this Friday, June 20, 2008 (the day Anne of Green Gables was first published in 1908) with The Importance of Being Earnest at 7:30 p.m. and continue through the weekend with Village Wooing Saturday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m. and The Importance of Being Earnest on Sunday, June 22 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The new adaptation of The Wind in the Willows will preview for the first time on Tuesday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. Full performance schedule is available online at http://www.themontgomerytheatre.com.

Artistic Director Duncan McIntosh has assembled a cast which includes Taylor Baruchel as Merriman (Earnest) and Field Mouse/Portly (Willows); Zach Fraser as Ferret (Willows) and Steward (Wooing), Sylvie Gallant as Gwendolyn Bracknell (Earnest) and Field Mouse/The Car/Ferret (Willows); Gemma James-Smith as Cecily Cardew (Earnest) and Field Mouse/The Home (Willows); Julia Lenardon as Lady Bracknell (Earnest) and Toad (Willows); Wally MacKinnon as Dr. Chausable (Earnest) and ’ÄúA’Äù (Wooing); Donnie Macphee as Algernon Moncreiff (Earnest) and Badger (Willows); Ryan O’ÄôCallaghan as Lane (Earnest) and Mole (Willows); Sean C. Robertson as John ’ÄúJack’Äù Worthing (Earnest) and Rat (Willows); Jackie Torrens as Miss Prism (Earnest) and ’ÄúZ’Äù (Wooing); and Earlla Vickers as Otter.

Joining Mr. McIntosh is a star-studded creative team which includes leading lighting designer Martin Conboy, East Coast Music Award-winning musician Nathan Wiley, renowned director Jillian Keiley, international set & costume designer Cleo Pettitt, and Shaw Festival veteran Wendy Thatcher. The company also includes stage manager Sally Crate, apprentice stage manager Elisa Aragon and assistant directors Zach Fraser (Willows, Wooing) and Earlla Vickers (Earnest).

The Montgomery Theatre will present plays from the life and times of L.M. Montgomery in the Church at Avonlea Village. The famed creator of Canada’Äôs best-loved redheaded heroine lived from 1874 to 1942; works presented at the new theatre will be by playwrights who inspired Ms. Montgomery or whose works were influenced by her.

This first season will feature three plays in repertory:

The Wind in the Willows

Original stage adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’Äôs classic book by Duncan McIntosh

Directed by Jillian Keiley

Set, prop and costume design by Cleo Pettit

Lighting design by Martin Conboy

Music & sound design by Nathan Wiley

The Importance of Being Earnest

By Oscar Wilde

Directed by Duncan McIntosh

Sets, props and costumes designed by Cleo Pettit

Lighting designed by Martin Conboy

Music & sound design by Nathan Wiley

Village Wooing

By George Bernard Shaw

Directed by Wendy Thatcher

Sets, props and costumes designed by Cleo Pettit

Lighting designed by Martin Conboy

Music & sound design by Nathan Wiley

The Montgomery Theatre season will run from June 27 to August 31, 2008 in the Church at Avonlea Village, with student previews beginning June 20 (the day Anne of Green Gables was first published in 1908). Regular ticket prices range from $20 to $32. Memberships are available for $20 which offer discounts on all theatre tickets, priority seating, discounts at area restaurants and stores, newsletter subscription and VIP event invitations.

Tickets are on sale now. For more information, to purchase tickets or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, visit www.themontgomerytheatre.com.

DETAILS:

Dates:
June 27 - August 31, 2008

Previews begin June 20, 2008

Visit www.themontgomerytheatre.com for full performance schedule.

Location:
The Montgomery Theatre

In the Church at Avonlea Village
8779, Route #6

Cavendish, PEI

Tickets:
$20-$32. ON SALE NOW.
Discounts available to members, students and groups

Tickets are available by phone at 902-963-3847, online at www.themontgomerytheatre.com, in person at 57 Church Hill Avenue, North Rustico, PEI (across from Stella Maris Church), or by mail at 57 Church Avenue, North Rustico, PE C1A 1X0.