THEATER REVIEW : Classic ‘Anne’ Comes to Life at Wilshire Theatre

The Great American Children’s Theatre of Wisconsin is in town again for a 10-day stop at its home away from home, the Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills, with a capable and often captivating production about a spunky, red-headed orphan.

“Annie”? Nope, it’s the 1908 L.M. Montgomery classic “Anne of Green Gables.”

Staged in period costume, on a large, raked set of muted greens and browns resembling a page from a pop-up storybook, this favorite tale about the spirited orphan of Prince Edward Island who changes the lives of everyone she meets is not for girls only.

At a recent performance, boys were chuckling, too, at Anne Shirley’s comic misadventures on her bumpy road to young adulthood--dying her hated red hair green, intoxicating her best friend by mistake, breaking her slate over the head of a young tormentor, coming to grief over her temper.

And, while Joanna Blythe’s adaptation accents the fun, it offers some substance as well, allowing the audience to feel Anne’s growing pains and the close bond that develops between her and her at first reluctant, adoptive guardians--Marilla (Ellen Lochhead and Matthew (Paul Bentzen).

Directed by Leslie Reidel, the cast (all adults) does a respectable job in dual roles--Candace Taylor and Patrick Lawlor, in particular, are appealing as Anne’s best friend Diana and as her would-be beau Gilbert, respectively, while Carol Zippel is properly snooty as disapproving Rachel Lynde.

It is Julie Jones’ thoroughly enjoyable performance in the title role, however, that makes this “Anne” more than just a pleasant introduction to a classic. With effervescent charm, Jones captures the essence of the young girl whose irrepressible enthusiasm for life and discovery both bemuses and enchants those around her.

Composer Adam Guettel accompanies the action with a light touch; Linda Black designed the attractive period costumes and Gary Baehler’s lighting is clean and effective.

* “Anne of Green Gables,” Wilshire Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, todayand next Saturday, 1 and 3 p.m.; Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m. and noon; Sun., 3 and 5 p.m. through Feb. 27. Also at Copley Symphony Hall, 1245 7th Ave., San Diego on March 2-4, 9:45 and 11:45 a.m. $6-$16.50; (800) 852-9772.