THEATER REVIEW : Some in This Adaptation Are Green as the Gables

COSTA MESA —  With the current television exposure of L.M. Montgomery’s “Anne of Green Gables,” there was bound to be a surge of adaptations to satisfy the demands of girls anxious to experience with Anne the joys and mishaps of a young orphan growing up on Canada’s Prince Edward Island in the early 1900s.

Joseph Robinette’s stage version is only lacking in depth because of the telescoping of the story’s events to fit into a comfortable evening’s entertainment. The bones of the story are still there, but not a lot of its flesh.

That thinness hasn’t hampered director Phyllis Gitlin’s staging at Orange Coast College. What has hampered it is the obvious inexperience of some of her cast members. The production is the result of a summer acting class at the college, and the wide range of success--or lack of it--of the actors is very evident.

Gitlin has given the production the right tones and shadings, with the help of charming original music by Michael C. Cross. She moves everything along briskly, but hasn’t been able with several of her actors to turn mutton into lamb.

In the story’s central role, Sherry Mattson makes a strong impression as Anne Shirley, from the very young orphan adopted by a brother and sister who live alone on an Avonlea farm, to the mature Anne who is about to take on life’s responsibilities.

Although Mattson may be a bit overkinetic at first, it suits Anne’s strong personality and rapidly metamorphoses into an assured strength as Anne remakes herself in society’s pattern.

Tim Adams and Ellen Walcutt Brown are a rewarding brother and sister anxious to dispel their loneliness by Anne’s adoption. Adams’ subdued wisdom and gentle warmth give dimension to Mathew’s affection for the child, and Brown’s starchy surface barely hides the tenderness and maternal longing beneath.

*

Michelle Dupree is very good as Anne’s new “bosom friend” Diane, defining a complicated role clearly. Bryan Prince is also strong as the obnoxious boy who angers Anne by making fun of her red hair, aging into the responsible young man who matches Anne’s academic success and probably will finally win her heart.

About half of the doubling supporting cast also give effective performances, such as Pete Smith’s nerdy Moody McPherson (his Rev. Bentley is beyond him), and Lorena Ramirez’s teacher’s pet Prissy Andrews (her elderly Aunt Josephine is oddly like Mae West).

Cathleen Arena, in the crucial role of a friendly but busybody neighbor, appears to like the role so much she acts it all over the stage, with her posy movements and lines spoken with audible italics and underlinings.

* “Anne of Green Gables,” Orange Coast College Drama Lab, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m., Friday & Saturday, 7 p.m., Saturday & Sunday, 2 p.m. Ends Sunday. $5-$8. (714) 432-5880. Running time: 2 hours.

Sherry Mattson: Anne Shirley

Tim Adams: Mathew Cuthbert

Ellen Walcutt Brown: Marrilla Cuthbert

Michelle Dupree: Diane Barry

Cathleen Arena: Rachel Lynde

Bryan Prince: Gilbert Blythe

Pete Smith: Moody McPherson

Lorena Ramirez: Prissy/Aunt Josephine Barry

An Orange Coast College Theatre Department production. Adapted from the L.M. Montgomery novel by Joseph Robinette. Directed by Phyllis Gitlin. Scenic design: David Scaglione. Light & sound design: Breeze Erwin. Original music: Michael C. Cross. Costumes: Jennifer Joe Leva.