On 13 June 2009, AMJ and Leo began
the rehearsal process, stepping into the roles of director and music director,
respectively. Just the week before, Haley Batchilder - who was set to return
as Maud, announced that she would be unable to due to a family emergency,
which meant an immediate recast of Nine Lives' most crucial character.
She was ultimately replaced by Natalie Oman, who accepted the challenge of
taking Maud from age 19 to age 67. AMJ also became a recast when one of the
original cast had to vacate the role of Chester. With only four rehearsal
weeks instead of six this time, Leo and AMJ had their work cut out for them!
Fortunately, the 2009 cast had an incredible camaraderie from the first day,
creating sort of a summer camp atmosphere. And the latest incarnation of
Nine Lives was on its way!
The 2009 cast just after the first meeting and read-through. |
AMJ (far left) stages More Important Things with Matt Dumouchel (Nate), Anders Balderston (Edwin), and Brodie MacRae (Jack). |
Lindsay Kyte channels her best Anne, even in modern clothes. |
Natalie Oman (Maud) runs through a scene with Scott McGuigan (Herman). |
Grandmother (Hazel St. Amand) and granddaughter recreate the post office at the Cavendish homestead. |
Kyla Cook practices Kilmeny's theme. |
Helen Killorn and Natalie Oman were able to work their own newfound friendship into the "kindred spirit" relationship of Frede and Maud. |
Brodie MacRae (now in the role of Ewan, Maud's husband) tackles Eternally Lost, the song revealing Ewan's religious melancholia. |
Anders Balderston works on his character's song The Correspondence of Edwin. |
Natalie Oman gets into the emotionality of Maud processing her father's death. |
Madeline Duffy on her first day rehearsing her role of Young Maud. |
Now working at the Carrefour Theatre, choreographer Jemima Sutherland takes the cast through The Dream Life Waltz. Here, Leo stands in for an absent cast member. |
AMJ was allowed to borrow a real vintage telephone from The Telephone Museum of PEI to use as a prop in the show. Photo by Dave Hunter. |
AMJ celebrated his 40th birthday on stage in the middle of rehearsals. Hair and Make-Up girl (and Understudy Maud) Renae Perry holds the cake. |
Jemima Sutherland and the cast jitterbug their way through Two-Timin' Timmy, with stage manager (and assistant director) Rob Reddin observing. |
During all-important Tech Week, Natalie Oman and Helen Killorn wait as not only stage lights are set, but as the video screen is also used to display LED lights. |
The red Eternally Lost lights are trained on Brodie MacRae. |
Lacey Koughan (Marigold) and Natalie Oman take their turn waiting for lighting 3 days before preview night. |
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Adam-Michael James
The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery © 2008-2010 Nine Lives Musicals, Inc.
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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.