AMJ and Leo's original plan was
to write a follow-up to the Anne of Green
Gables musical. In the nearly 40 years since that show's début,
it seemed no one had ever taken on adapting Anne of Avonlea for the stage! After
months of not thinking about it, Leo finally suggested they re-examine the
idea. After reading Anne of Avonlea,
AMJ didn't feel there was enough there to support an entire musical, so he
went on to read Anne of the Island.
Neither having gotten PEI out of their systems, Leo and AMJ ventured there
again in August 2005, for themselves as much as to gather ideas for their
show. Upon arriving, they discovered their idea hadn't been as original as
they thought - the new musical Anne and
Gilbert was opening that very month! They were about to give up on
the idea of a musical completely until they met Jim Culbert, who suggested
they tackle the life story of Anne's creator, Lucy Maud Montgomery. AMJ was
dubious at first, but, once they started studying the author, they knew it
was a story they had to tell.
AMJ decided to kick it old school for this trip - really old school! |
Cavendish Beach is different every time you look at it. |
AMJ and Leo visited the fictional Avonlea. Here's AMJ with Anne, Diana, and Josie Pye. |
Leo goes to town at the Avonlea church. |
Avonlea's photo studio allowed Leo to get into the '05 groove - 1905, that is! AMJ, of course, didn't need to change clothes. |
AMJ just loves bright red drinks. |
AMJ fits right in at Avonlea! |
Leo didn't do a bad job of fitting in himself. |
AMJ's unique perspective of Cavendish Beach. |
Hard to believe all this greenery is just a few hundred feet away from the beach! |
Website © 2006-2010
Adam-Michael James
The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery © 2008-2010 Nine Lives Musicals, Inc.
"L.M. Montgomery", "L.M. Montgomery's signature and cat design", and other names and images created by L.M. Montgomery
are trademarks of the Heirs of L.M. Montgomery, Inc. and are used with permission. All rights reserved.
The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery © 2008-2010 Nine Lives Musicals, Inc.
"L.M. Montgomery", "L.M. Montgomery's signature and cat design", and other names and images created by L.M. Montgomery
are trademarks of the Heirs of L.M. Montgomery, Inc. and are used with permission. All rights reserved.