Anne of Green Gables ...a new folk rock musical ______

Book & Lyrics by Matte O'Brien Music by Matt Vinson

Contact: Max Grossman Abrams Artists Agency 275 Seventh Ave, 26th Floor New York, NY 10001 P: 646-461-9372 E: [email protected] ii.

PLACE The Town of Avonlea, on Prince Edward Island

TIME The start of a new century iii.

CAST

ANNE SHIRLEY (12-21) Intensely imaginative and verbose orphan in search of a family and driven by a desperate desire to belong. Feisty, passionate, stubborn, and insecure, Anne journeys from awkward little girl to a young lady teetering on the brink of adulthood and a new, hard- won confidence. Strong belt/mix. DIANA BARRY / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Classmate and neighbor of Anne's and her eventual best friend. Beautiful, elegant, with a simple/naive nature that belies a keen intuition. On paper she is Anne’s opposite, but clearly her soul mate. Strong belt/mix. MARILLA CUTHBERT / ENSEMBLE (40’s-60’s) A hard, stolid spinster and the proprietress of Green Gables - the farm she shares with her younger brother, Matthew. She begrudgingly agrees to adopt Anne but struggles in warming to her. Her stubbornness and chilly demeanor - cover a good heart buried deep beneath years of pain. Powerhouse belt/mix. RACHEL LYNDE / ENSEMBLE (50’s-60's) The overly opinionated town gossip. Pious and outspoken, she prides herself on being a good Christian woman and the pillar of the community. Though she and Anne clash at first, she eventually becomes one of her fiercest advocates. Powerhouse belt/mix. RUBY GILLIS / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Boy-crazy classmate of Anne. Uncouth, melodramatic, smart-ass. Excellent singer/dancer. PRISSY ANDREWS / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Boy-crazy classmate of Anne’s, mousy and sweet. Excellent singer/dancer. JOSIE PYE / LUCILLA HARRIS / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Josie: Pretty, mean, competitive classmate of Anne’s. Lucilla: kind and courteous store clerk. Excellent singer/dancer. MRS. BARRY / ENSEMBLE (40’s) Diana’s mother, a haughty, pious woman who detests Anne for her orphan upbringing and “over-attachment” to Diana. Excellent singer/dancer. MISS STACY / ENSEMBLE (30’s-40’s) Anne's teacher. An independent, smart, driven, single woman. Excellent singer/dancer. iv.

GILBERT BLYTHE / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Classmate and neighbor of Anne’s. Magnetic, handsome, warm, and perhaps a little too sure of himself. Gilbert’s world is upended when he meets his match in the headstrong, Anne. Strong pop/folk sensibility. MATTHEW CUTHBERT / ENSEMBLE (50’s-60’s) Marilla’s quiet and hard-working younger brother, and the co- occupant of their family farm, Green Gables. As warm and gentle as his sister is not, he is immediately taken by Anne’s unique and vibrant personality and successfully lobbies to give her a home. Strong singer. MOODY MCPHERSON / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Classmate of Anne’s, soft-spoken, geeky, outsider. Best friends with Ruby and Prissy. Excellent singer/dancer. CHARLIE SLOAN / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Girl-crazy classmate of Anne’s, a boy's boy, not very bright. Excellent singer/dancer. JUDE ANDREWS / MR. EDWARDS / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Jude: Classmate of Anne's, and Prissy Andrew's brother. A boy's boy, not very bright. Mr. Edwards: a kindly real estate agent. Excellent singer/dancer FRED WRIGHT / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Diana Barry’s intended, handsome, upright guy. Excellent singer/dancer. MR. PHILLIPS / MR. BLYTHE / ENSEMBLE (50's - 60's) Mr. Philips: Anne’s stern teacher; Mr. Blythe: Gilbert Blythe’s father and the former beau of Marilla. Excellent singer/dancer. v.

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHORS Anne of Green Gables is intended to be performed on a unit set with no break in momentum between one scene and the next. Like growing up, the show should progress far quicker than we are aware. The chapter numbers and titles written in the script should be projected onto the set to mark transitions and provide the audience with necessary context. Exits and entrances should be parcelled out judiciously; the majority of the ensemble should be ever present. There is a strong sense of community in the original L.M. Montgomery stories, and it is imperative to recreate this feeling amongst the cast and audience. Most importantly, the show is intended to give a glimpse into Anne's imagination. The actors should move fluidly between their duties as characters in the story and narrators of the story. The company is aware of the tale they are telling and the show they are performing. They should constantly be finding ways to directly engage the audience in the process. In short, destroy the fourth wall!

- M&M Preset: An empty space. The following quote is visible... "It is never quite safe to think we have done with life. When we imagine we have finished our story fate has a trick of turning the page and showing us yet another chapter." ~ L.M. Montgomery At Rise: the quote fades and “CHAPTER 21: THE BEND IN THE ROAD” is seen as Anne, in a beautiful pastel green gown, holding a small bouquet of flowers, watches a wedding. Distant voices... DIANA (OFF) I... FRED (OFF) I... DIANA (OFF) I MAKE A VOW... FRED (OFF) I MAKE A VOW... DIANA (OFF) FRED (OFF) (CONT'D) IT’S ONLY YOU AND I FOREVER IT’S ONLY EVER YOU AND I NOW... FOREVER HERE AND NOW... DIANA (OFF) MY LIFE, MY LOVE, MY BOSOM FRIEND... FRED (OFF) MY LOVE AND MY BEST FRIEND... BOTH (OFF) I PROMISE TO RESPECT YOU, TO DEFEND YOU, AND PROTECT YOU... DIANA (OFF) THIS I SWEAR... FRED (OFF) THIS I SWEAR... BOTH (OFF) THIS I SWEAR... ANNE UNTIL THE BITTER END... Anne’s bouquet of flowers slips from her fingers and tumbles to the ground - drums are heard. Time slowly begins to reverse. Characters swirl around Anne as she transforms from a young woman back into the little girl who first arrived in Avonlea. 3/6/18 2.

“CHAPTER 21: THE BEND IN THE ROAD” vanishes as “CHAPTER 20: THE REAPER WHOSE NAME IS DEATH” replaces it, then “CHAPTER 19,” “CHAPTER 18,” etc - as people from her past flood the stage... ENSEMBLE QUIET, QUIET, QUIET LITTLE TOWN... MARILLA ...you shouldn’t waste time concerning yourself with what people say, Anne... ENSEMBLE SLEEPY, SILENT, QUIET LITTLE TOWN... RACHEL ...she’s terribly homely... MR. PHILLIPS ...Anne Shirley has a very bad temper... ENSEMBLE NOTHING SPECIAL, A TINY LITTLE PLACE OF NO RENOWN... MRS. BARRY ...a rotten orphan like her doesn’t belong among decent people... MISS STACEY ...Women like us - like you and I - we are the disobedient! We are the discontent... ENSEMBLE THIS PEACEFUL, PLEASANT, PERFECT, LITTLE QUIET LITTLE TOWN... MATTHEW ...you didn’t have a foot in the door here before I knew you were just passing through... GILBERT ...Anne, let me help you. Please... DIANA ...you’re a queer girl, Anne Shirley. But, I believe I’m going to like you very much... ENSEMBLE A TOWN ON AN ISLAND ON A PLANET LOST IN SPACE... THIS PEACEFUL, PLEASANT, PERFECT, LITTLE QUIET LITTLE PLACE... QUIET, QUIET, QUIET LITTLE TOWN MY SILENT, SLEEPY, QUIET LITTLE TOWN WHERE I RISE TO GREET THE DAWN EACH DAY 3/6/18 3.

AND AT NIGHT I LAY ME DOWN IN THIS... DIANA & GILBERT SLEEPY... ENSEMBLE SILENT... DIANA & GILBERT PEACEFUL... ENSEMBLE PERFECT... DIANA & GILBERT QUIET, LITTLE... A train whistle is heard. It is many years earlier, Anne sits on a bench in the Carmody train station, waiting for Matthew Cuthbert. As we arrive at... CHAPTER 1: RACHEL LYNDE IS SURPRISED In another time and place, Rachel Lynde appears... RACHEL I SAW MATTHEW CUTHBERT, DRESSED LIKE SUNDAY, HEADING UP TOWARD CARMODY... HIS BUGGY HITCHED TO THE SORREL MARE, WHICH MAKES A PERSON THINK HE’S TRAVELIN’ SOMEWHERE OUT AWAY FROM AVONLEA... BUT GOSSIP IS A SIN... YES, GOSSIP IS A SIN... SO, LET’S BE CLEAR YOU DIDN’T HEAR IT FROM ME... Mrs. Barry, having heard Rachel’s story, rushes to tell others. MRS. BARRY RACHEL LYNDE SAW MATTHEW CUTHBERT, RACING DOWN THE ROAD, QUICK AS COULD BE... NOW, MATTHEW RARELY LEAVES- MRS. BARRY & ENSEMBLE GREEN GABLES- MRS. BARRY BARELY STEPS BEYOND HIS STABLES, LET ALONE THE LINES OF AVONLEA... SOMETHING’S COMING ROUND THE BEND - JUST WAIT AND SEE! RACHEL BUT GOSSIP IS A SIN... 3/6/18 4.

MRS. BARRY & ENSEMBLE GOSSIP IS A SIN... RACHEL YES, GOSSIP IS A SIN... MRS. BARRY & ENSEMBLE GOSSIP IS A SIN... RACHEL SO, LET’S BE CLEAR... MRS. BARRY & ENSEMBLE SO, IF YOU CHOOSE TO SHARE... RACHEL YOU DIDN’T HEAR... MRS. BARRY & ENSEMBLE PLEASE BE AWARE... ALL YOU NEVER HEARD A WORD OF IT FROM ME! Diana and Gilbert watch as Rachel’s news ricochets around town. DIANA & GILBERT QUIET, QUIET, QUIET LITTLE TOWN SLEEPY, SILENT, QUIET LITTLE TOWN OH, NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE OF ANY GREAT RENOWN IN THIS - ENSEMBLE CHARMING! DIANA & GILBERT CHATTY... ENSEMBLE GORGEOUS! DIANA & GILBERT GABBY... ALL QUIET LITTLE TOWN! Rachel’s news begins to spread like wild fire... MR. PHILLIPS RACHEL LYNDE TOLD MRS. BARRY SHE SAW MATTHEW CUTHBERT, IN A PANIC, HEADING OFF THIS MORNING, 3/6/18 5.

NO WORD WHERE HE WAS GOING, ONLY DOWN THE ROAD... MR. PHILLIPS (CONT'D) PRISSY & RUBY & MOODY TOWARD CARMODY... MR. PHILLIPS SAID MRS. BARRY LOOKING SNEAKY AND HEARD FROM RACHEL LYNDE THAT SUSPICIOUS, MATTHEW CUTHBERT, LOOKING SUBVERSIVE, SURREPTITIOUS! MANIC, IN A STATE OF PANIC, WELL, I HATE TO SAY WHAT I RACED AWAY AT A PACE THAT HEARD TODAY, WAS ABSURD. HE WAS DRIVING BUT THE WORD TODAY, AS HE LIKE A LUNATIC I HEARD, BUT SPED AWAY, GOSSIP IS A SIN - IS A TRAGEDY, A DEPRAVITY, BUT BE DISCREET, CAUSE I MUST REPEAT THAT - GOSSIP IS A SIN! The gossipers, Diana and Gilbert all blend together... DIANA & GILBERT ALL OH, MY QUIET LITTLE TOWN GOSSIP IS A SIN YES, GOSSIP IS A SIN! OH, MY QUIET LITTLE TOWN SO, LET’S BE CLEAR YOU DIDN’T HEAR IT FROM - Lighting shift - sudden silence - as Matthew Cuthbert appears on the train platform. He is looking for someone - not Anne. CHAPTER 2: MATTHEW CUTHBERT IS SURPRISED ANNE MATTHEW? MATTHEW CUTHBERT? IS IT YOU? IS IT REALLY YOU? YOU’RE WHAT I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR. FOR HOURS, SITTING, WAITING FOR... I WAITED TILL I DIDN’T THINK THAT I COULD WAIT ONE MINUTE MORE. I HOPE THAT YOU KNOW THAT. OH, I HOPE THAT YOU DO. ALL OF MY LIFE I HAVE BEEN WAITING... I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU. I’VE BEEN WAITING SINCE HALF PAST TEN, I DIDN’T THINK YOU’D COME, BUT THEN I SAW YOU STANDING THERE WITH YOUR SUNDAY SUIT AND SILVER HAIR - AND I DON’T KNOW HOW I KNEW, BUT I KNEW AT ONCE THAT IT WAS YOU! OH! MY NAME’S ANNE SHIRLEY - THAT’S ANNE SPELLED WITH AN ‘E.’ SO, IF YOU’RE MATTHEW CUTHBERT, 3/6/18 6.

YOU ARE MATTHEW CUTHBERT, THAT’S YOUR NAME, RIGHT, MATTHEW CUTHBERT? MATTHEW Um. Yes? ANNE THEN I’M WHO YOU SENT FOR, I’M THE ORPHAN YOU SENT FOR, THE ORPHAN GIRL THAT YOU SENT FOR, AND YOU’VE COME TO TAKE ME HOME TO AVONLEA! MATTHEW I’m sorry, but - ANNE Oh, no! I’m sorry, Mr. Cuthbert! I have to apologize in advance for my inability to contain my joy and comport myself in a perfectly respectable manner, but you have to understand I am positively euphoric. MATTHEW Euphoric? ANNE Yes! See - I NEVER RODE A TRAIN BEFORE TODAY AND, LET ME SAY, BEFORE YOU ASK ME HOW IT WAS - I KNOW YOU’LL ASK ME THAT BECAUSE - WHO WOULD EXPECT SOMEONE LIKE ME TO ARRIVE IN AVONLEA ON A WEEKEND TRAIN LOOKING MEEK AND PLAIN? BUT IT WAS AMAZING, GAZING OUT THE WINDOW BLAZING THROUGH THE COUNTRY SIDE... AND IT WAS ASTOUNDING BOUNDING PAST THE SURROUNDING AND POUNDING OCEAN TIDE... IT’S WHAT I WISHED FOR, I’LL NEVER WANT MORE THAN WHAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW, I’M EXACTLY WHERE AND WHO I WANT TO BE... ANNE WITH AN ‘E’ IN A LAND CALLED AVONLEA! Oh, Mr. Cuthbert! Is this your carriage and stallion? MATTHEW No, it’s just my wagon and horse. ANNE It’s exquisite, isn’t it? MATTHEW Exquisite? 3/6/18 7.

ANNE Oh, people laugh at me because I use big words. But if you have big ideas, you have to use big words to express them, haven't you? MATTHEW Well, now, I suppose. (re: her bag) Oh, let me help you with that. ANNE I can carry it. It isn’t heavy. Besides, I think having luggage is the most exciting thing ever! I NEVER PACKED A BAG BEFORE TODAY, AND LET ME SAY, TO MY DISMAY, IT’S RATHER SMALL, BUT IT’S GOT EVERYTHING AND ALL I’VE EVER OWNED OR WORN, BUT SEE THE HANDLE’S TORN UP IN THE CORNER A BIT, SO I’VE LEARNED TO MANAGE IT... ANY WAY YOU CONVEY IT MAY FRAY IT. ON ACCOUNT OF DECAY IT PULLS AWAY IF YOU SWAY IT RIGHT. BUT, HOLD IT TIGHT AND IT MIGHT JUST PROVIDE A PLACE FOR YOU TO HIDE YOUR PAST, AT LAST, HELD FAST INSIDE... AS YOU RIDE THE TRAIN YOU RIDE... INTO A FUTURE VAST AND WIDE... OH, I’VE BEEN WAITING SINCE I DON’T KNOW - CERTAIN YOU WOULDN'T SHOW, BUT HERE WE ARE NOW ME AND YOU, AND AIN’T IT FUNNY HOW DREAMS COME TRUE? I TOLD THE ORPHANS NOT TO CRY THIS MORNING WHEN I SAID, “BUH-BYE!” I WASN’T GONNA HANG ABOUT, OR LET THE DOOR HIT ME ON MY WAY OUT! I’M FINALLY WHERE I’M MEANT TO BE... PINCH ME NOW! (pinches herself:) LOOK - OW! SEE, IT’S NOT A DREAM SOMEHOW! I’M IN A LAND CALLED AVONLEA! Oh! Mr. Cuthbert! What is this place? MATTHEW Folks call it The Avenue. ANNE No, no! A place this divinely beautiful needs a name to match! We shall call it The White Way of Delight! What do you think? Pretty good, right? MATTHEW Um- 3/6/18 8.

ANNE I know! I know! I’ve always had a talent for naming things - Oh! And what’s that over there - ? MATTHEW Barry’s pond? ANNE Ugh! No! All wrong! That glimmering sapphire lagoon shall from henceforth be known to us as The Lake of Shining Waters! Ta-da! Oh, Prince Edward Island is just the most beautiful place in the world, isn’t it? For years I imagined what it would be like to live here, but I never really expected I would! It's delightful when your imaginations come true, isn't it? MATTHEW Um, well, yes? ANNE OH, YOU DON’T LIKE TO TALK! I CAN SEE THAT... WELL, YOU DON’T HAVE TO TALK... I CAN TALK ENOUGH FOR TWO... ANYTHING YOU WANT... I CAN BE THAT... ANYTHING YOU ASK ME... I WILL DO... BUT, I’LL NEVER BE BEAUTIFUL... WON’T EVER BE BEAUTIFUL... NOT EVEN SORT OF BEAUTIFUL - NO, NOT ME! I COULD BE SMART OR STRONG - OR STAY SILENT THE WHOLE DAY LONG... WELL, THAT MIGHT BE HARD, I’LL ADMIT, BUT I’D DO IT - JUST ASK IT OF ME! I’LL BE WHAT YOU WANT ME TO BE... WHOEVER YOU WANT ME TO BE! I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT BEFORE TODAY THERE WAS A WAY THAT I COULD PLAY THE INGENUE- I MEAN, BETWEEN ME AND YOU, I’M A HOMELY ADOLESCENT, MY HAIR IS PHOSPHORESCENT, I’M PALLID, PALE, AND THIN, WITH FRECKLES SPECKLING MY SKIN... BUT I’M HERE AND I MUST SAY- IT’S LIKE THE STORIES THAT I’VE READ, THE HERO WAKES AND SHAKES THE DREAMS OUT OF HER HEAD! SHE TAKES A CHANCE! SHE MAKES A STANCE! SHE FAKES THE MOVES TILL SHE LEARNS TO DANCE! YOU GOTTA FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT! 3/6/18 9.

THIS CHANCE - I’M GONNA TAKE IT! YOUR INGENUE WILL BREAK IT DOWN FOR YOU! THERE AIN’T NOTHIN’ I CAN’T DO! Oh! That! That it, isn’t it?! MATTHEW That’s Green Gables. We’re almost home. ANNE I CAN BARELY TALK... I MEAN, I CAN, BUT ONLY BARELY... AND, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I’M RARELY AT A LOSS FOR WORDS. MATTHEW Are you all right? Little girl? Matthew and the world of Avonlea melts away for a moment... ANNE HOME... ALL I EVER WANTED WAS HOME... ALL I EVER DREAMED OF WAS HOME... A PLACE TO CALL MY OWN... AND NOW I’M STANDING HERE... HOME... NOT A MILLION MILES AWAY, HOME... I CAN REACH OUT TOUCH IT NOW, HOME... I NEVER THOUGHT I’D COME HOME... BUT NOW YOU’RE TAKING ME HOME... NOW YOU’RE TAKING ME HOME... ANNE (CONT’D) ENSEMBLE OH! I’VE BEEN WAITING YEAR OH! WAITING... AFTER YEAR, WAITING... NOW THE MOMENT’S FINALLY HERE! AND, IT’S BETTER THAN MY WILDEST DREAMS - THE WAIT PAID OFF, OR SO IT SEEMS! OH... HOW COULD I KNOW? OH... HOW COULD I SEE? AH... WHILE I WAS HOPELESSLY ANNE WITH AN ‘E’... WAITING MY WHOLE LIFE AWAY ANNE WITH AN ‘E’... GREEN GABLES WAS WAITING ANNE WITH AN ‘E’... HERE FOR ME! IN A LAND CALLED AVONLEA!

CHAPTER 3: MARILLA CUTHBERT IS SURPRISED Anne and Matthew have reached Green Gables. Marilla Cuthbert stands in the doorway. 3/6/18 10.

MARILLA What. Is. That? MATTHEW IT’S A GIRL MARILLA I CAN SEE THAT IT’S A GIRL, BUT WHY IS IT A GIRL? MATTHEW I DON’T KNOW? THEY SENT A GIRL. RUBY AND, ANNE QUICKLY REALIZED THIS WASN’T GOOD. MATTHEW I COULDN’T JUST LEAVE HER THERE... MARILLA I WAS SURE THEY UNDERSTOOD... PRISSY & MOODY ANNE DIDN’T WANT FOR THEM TO SEND HER AWAY- RUBY BUT, SHE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT SHE HAD TO DO TO MAKE THEM LET HER STAY. MARILLA MARILLA STOOD THERE STARING AT THE GIRL, UNSURE OF WHAT TO DO. MATTHEW AND, MATTHEW STOOD THERE TOO. ANNE You don’t want me? You don't want me because I'm not a boy? I might have expected it. MARILLA There's no need to cry about it. ANNE Yes there is! I’ve never belonged anywhere or to anyone. This is the most tragical thing that’s ever happened to me! MARILLA Stop crying. We're not going to throw you out tonight. What’s your name? 3/6/18 11.

ANNE My name? MARILLA You have one, don’t you? ANNE IF YOU COULD CALL ME CORDELIA - MARILLA CALL YOU CORDELIA? WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU MEAN... “CALL” YOU CORDELIA? ANNE CORDELIA’S A NAME FOR SOMEONE LOVELY AND FAIR... SOMEONE WITH ALABASTER SKIN, AND COBALT EYES, AND GOLDEN HAIR, AND - MARILLA That’s all fine, but is that your name? ANNE It's not exactly my name. MARILLA If Cordelia is not your name, what is? ANNE Anne Shirley. But, oh, please - CALL ME CORDELIA MARILLA No. ANNE CALL ME CORDELIA MARILLA I will not. ANNE IF I’M ONLY MEANT TO BE HERE FOR ONE NIGHT, CALL ME CORDELIA... AFTER ALL: “A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD SMELL EXACTLY THE SAME.” I read that in a book once. Although, I’ll admit, I’ve never been able to believe it entirely. I don't believe a rose would smell as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage. And, Anne is such an unromantic name - MARILLA Nonsense. Anne is a good, plain, sensible name. There’s no need to be ashamed of it. 3/6/18 12.

ANNE I’m not ashamed of it. I just like Cordelia better. But if you must call me Anne, please call me Anne spelled with an ‘e.’ MARILLA What difference does it make how it's spelled? ANNE It makes such a difference! When you hear a name pronounced, can’t you always see it in your mind?! MARILLA No. ANNE As if it was printed out? MARILLA No. ANNE Well, I can. And, A-n-n looks dreadful, but A-n-n-e looks so much more distinguished. If you'll call me Anne spelled with an ‘e’ I shall try to reconcile myself to not being called Cordelia. MARILLA Fine, Anne spelled with an ‘e,’ can you tell us how this mistake was made? We wrote to Mrs. Spencer asking for a boy. Were there no boys at the asylum? ANNE You want to know about the asylum? MARILLA I want to know if there were any boys there. ANNE The asylum was a terrible place - like a dungeon. MATTHEW A dungeon? ANNE With ghastly ghostly creatures running loose, everywhere. MARILLA That’s fine, but were there any boy children there? The asylum slowly comes to life around Matthew and Marilla. There are children running amok, evil caretakers, dragons, trolls, etc. Marilla is not amused - Matthew is enraptured. 3/6/18 13.

CHAPTER 4: ANNE’S HISTORY ANNE THE ASYLUM WALLS WERE DARK AND SCARY, NO ONE CAME TO VISIT, AND YOU’D ASK YOURSELF- ANNE & RUBY “HOW IS IT - THAT I CAME TO BE CONFINED WITHIN THESE HALLS? ANNE & RUBY & PRISSY MY ENTIRE LIFE RESIGNED BEHIND THESE WALLS? ENSEMBLE NO ONE CARES, NO ONE COMFORTS, NO ONE CALLS! MATTHEW It sounds terrible. MARILLA Don’t encourage her. (to Anne:) Were there boys at the asylum? ANNE Boys? Yes. Oh, yes - THE ASYLUM WALLS WERE OVERFLOWING, BOYS AND GIRLS APLENTY. ANNE & RUBY & PRISSY & MOODY EVERY BED SLEPT TEN OR TWENTY OF US! ENSEMBLE AND EVERY SLICE OF BREAD THAT THEY’D PROVIDE... ANNE & RUBY & PRISSY & MOODY WE KNEW WE’D BE REQUIRED TO DIVIDE... ANNE AMONG THE THIRTEEN THOUSAND ORPHANS TRAPPED INSIDE! MARILLA Thirteen thousand?! Oh, for heaven’s sake! ANNE AND THERE WERE DRAGONS IN THE CELLAR... ANNE & ENSEMBLE HUNGRY DRAGONS SET TO FEED... ANNE ON THEIR FAVORITE DISH - 3/6/18 14.

ENSEMBLE ORPHAN PIE! ANNE FRIED! ENSEMBLE OR FRICASSEED! MATTHEW She’s an imaginative little thing, isn’t she? The asylum of Anne’s imagination has consumed Green Gables. She disappears into the chaos as Matthew and Marilla take it all in. ENSEMBLE THE ASYLUM WALLS WERE MADE OF BLOOD AND BONES FROM ORPHAN CHILDREN... THEY WERE BUILT AND THEN REFILLED WHEN ANY WILD CHILD TRIED TO RUN AWAY! THEY WOULD SHOOT THEM DOWN, AND GRIND THEM INTO CLAY! ANNE TO BUILD THE WALLS UP, DAY BY DAY, AND MAKE THEM STAY! ENSEMBLE MAKE YOU STAY - YOU’LL NEVER GET AWAY! The asylum is now in high-relief. Anne slices through the chaos. ANNE AND THERE WAS NOTHING YOU COULD TURN TO... JUST THE CORNERS OF YOUR MIND. IF YOU CAN’T DREAM... YOU’D BETTER LEARN TO... IT’S YOUR ONLY HOPE TO LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND- Marilla brings the fantasy crashing back down to Green Gables... MARILLA Enough! Enough! I’m certain the asylum was a perfectly lovely asylum. And, I’m even more certain they have boys there who can provide a simple answer when asked a simple question. ANNE I can - MARILLA You can have your supper and go to bed. I’ll reach out to Mrs. Spencer first thing tomorrow and she will take you back to the asylum. That’s final. 3/6/18 15.

ANNE I can’t eat. MARILLA Why not? ANNE I’m in the depths of despair. Can you eat when you’re in the depths of despair? MARILLA I’ve never been in the depths of despair. ANNE Well, did you ever try to imagine you were in the depths of despair? MARILLA No, I have not. ANNE Then I don’t think you can possibly understand what it’s like. It's very uncomfortable. I’m certain whatever you prepare would be perfectly lovely, but still I couldn’t eat. Not even if it were an entire dinner of chocolate caramels. I had a chocolate caramel once and it was the most delectable- MARILLA Fine. Then, you will go to bed hungry. ANNE Yes. I will go to bed hungry. Hungry for the life that might have been. I will starve. I will suffer. I will - MARILLA You will go to bed. ANNE Yes, Ms. Cuthbert. Anne picks up her bag and follows Marilla. Marilla’s thoughts... MARILLA DADDY WANTED A BOY... SO, MAMA PRAYED FOR A SON... BUT ALL THEIR PRAYING ONLY BROUGHT THEM ME... THEY LOVED ME BEST AS THEY COULD, WHILE THEY WAITED FOR MATTHEW TO COME, AND BE THAT SOMETHING I COULD NEVER BE... MATTHEW WAS THEIR PRIDE, HE WAS THEIR JOY... I WAS NEVER THE PRINCESS OR THE PEARL... 3/6/18 16.

THE GREATEST DISAPPOINTMENT MY PARENTS EVER KNEW... WAS THE DAY THE DOCTOR TOLD THEM... “IT’S A GIRL” (entering the guest room:) This will be your room. ANNE My room! MARILLA For the night. Get changed, say your prayers, and go to bed. ANNE Oh, I never say any prayers. MARILLA What do you mean? ANNE Mrs. Spencer, at the orphanage, told me that God made my hair red on purpose, so I've never cared for him since. Marilla pulls a Bible out of a drawer and hands it to Anne. MARILLA The Bible. Read it. While you are under my roof you will say your prayers - whether you care for God or not. Meanwhile, Matthew sits at the kitchen table... MATTHEW THIRTY YEARS ON OUR OWN... TOGETHER, ALONE... THIRTY YEARS OF NOTHING NEW TO SAY... MARILLA AT HER STOVE, ME IN MY STABLES... OUR QUIET LITTLE LIVES SLOWLY UNFURL... SO, WHAT, IN AN AFTERNOON, COULD END THIRTY YEARS OF QUIET? WHO COULD GUESS? Marilla enters the kitchen, their inner-monologues continue... MARILLA WHO WOULD GUESS? MATTHEW IT’S A GIRL MARILLA IT’S A MESS! MATTHEW BUT, A BOY COULD HELP IN THE FIELDS... 3/6/18 17.

MARILLA MATTHEW NEEDS HELP IN THE FIELDS... MATTHEW HE CAN PLOW, PLANT, AND HOE... MARILLA THAT’S THE ONLY THING I KNOW... MATTHEW A BOY CAN ADD SOME YEARS TO YOUR LIFE... MARILLA MATTHEW’S GETTING SLOWER NOW, AND A GIRL’S NO USE AT ALL... MATTHEW BUT SHE’S SUCH A SWEET LITTLE THING... MARILLA AND THIS ONE’S BAD AS THEY COME... MATTHEW MARCHING TO HER OWN LITTLE DRUM... MARILLA A BOY BECOMES A MAN... A GIRL BECOMES A SPINSTER OR A WIFE... TOMORROW SHE’LL GO BACK TO WHERE SHE CAME FROM... MATTHEW MAYBE SHE COULD STAY - MARILLA TOMORROW WE’LL GO BACK TO WHAT WE KNOW. MATTHEW MAYBE WE SHOULD GIVE IT A WHIRL? MARILLA MATTHEW (CONT'D) WHAT’S THE MOST USELESS WHAT’S THE MOST USEFUL THING THING THAT ANYONE COULD THAT ANYONE COULD BRING TO BRING TO GREEN GABLES? GREEN GABLES? MARILLA IT’S A GIRL... MATTHEW IT’S A GIRL... BOTH IT’S A - Lighting shift. 3/6/18 18.

CHAPTER FIVE: THE BLYTHE BOY RUBY GILLIS, MOODY MCPHERSON, and PRISSY ANDREWS are seen. RUBY Girl! PRISSY A girl? RUBY A ratty ragamuffin orphan girl. PRISSY And they’re adopting her?! RUBY Mother always said Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert were crazy. MOODY I like the Cuthberts. RUBY You would. A couple of old unmarried siblings living together all these years - I’m not saying it’s weird, but I’m not not saying it’s weird. Gilbert enters carrying a valise. GILBERT What’s all the commotion? RUBY (smitten:) Oh, hello, Gilbert. PRISSY MOODY (equally smitten:) (equally smitten:) Hello, Gilbert. Hi. GILBERT What are you all up to? MOODY We were just gonna go look at the orphan some more. GILBERT Oh, right, the orphan. Sounds fun. PRISSY Wanna come? GILBERT I can’t. I’m leaving today. 3/6/18 19.

PRISSY Oh, right! You must be so excited. GILBERT It’s not a big deal. RUBY Not a big deal?! An honors course in Carmody?! GILBERT Stop. PRISSY You’re the only student from Avolnea School to be selected! GILBERT Stop. MOODY One of only ten students in all of Prince Edward Island! GILBERT One of eight. But, who’s counting? RUBY & PRISSY MOODY You’re too humble! Wow, only eight - you are, you’re really humble. GILBERT Well, when you’re as handsome and smart as I am, you have to be humble, or people think you’re a jerk. ALL MY LIFE I’VE BEEN TOLD I WAS PERFECT- “YOU’RE PERFECT,” THEY SAY - WHAT CAN I DO? IF EVERYBODY THINKS I’M PERFECT, WHO AM I TO TELL THEM IT’S NOT TRUE? ANY TEAM, ANY PICK, ANY PARTY, ANY QUESTION AT ALL - THE ANSWER’S ALWAYS ME! AND, I’M EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT IT, BUT, PERFECTION FITS ME PERFECTLY OH, I KNOW, IT’S EASY TO SEE... HOW IT COULD BE EASY FOR ME... NO ONE EVER TAKES A SPOT ABOVE ME! NO ONE’S EVER DONE A THING BUT LOVE ME! NO ONE EVER STOPS THINKING OF ME! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! IF THERE’S A CHALLENGE, I’M PREPARED TO TAKE IT! ANY RECORD, YOU CAN BET I’LL BREAK IT! EVERYBODY KNOWS I’M GONNA MAKE IT! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! 3/6/18 20.

OH, YOU KNOW, I’M HUMBLE AS CAN BE... EVEN THOUGH IT COMES SO EASILY TO ME! PRISSY Aren’t you the tiniest bit nervous about going to Carmody? RUBY It’s a huge metropolis! MOODY Yeah! Almost a thousand people live there! GILBERT SOME PEOPLE LIVE TO WORK AND WORRY, WASTING AWAY WHILE THEY WAIT FOR THEIR WISH TO COME TRUE- BUT ME?! I’M IN NO HURRY! I’VE DONE WHAT I’VE DONE, SO I KNOW I CAN DO WHAT I’LL DO! OH, IT’S EASY TO SEE... IT’LL BE EASY FOR ME... NO ONE’S GONNA TAKE A SPOT ABOVE ME! WAIT AND SEE, CARMODY WILL LOVE ME! AND, AVONLEA IS GONNA BE PROUD OF ME! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! IF THERE’S A CHALLENGE, I’M PREPARED TO TAKE IT! ANY RECORD, YOU CAN BET I’LL BREAK IT! EVERYBODY KNOWS I’M GONNA MAKE IT! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YOU GET IT ALL WHEN YOU’VE GOT IT ALL.. SO, I’LL HAVE IT ALL... ‘CAUSE I’VE HAD IT ALL... NO ONE’S GONNA TAKE A SPOT ABOVE ME! CARMODY, WAIT AND SEE - YOU’LL LOVE ME! AND AVONLEA’LL BE SO, SO PROUD OF ME! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! IF THERE’S A CHALLENGE - WATCH ME TAKE IT! ANY RECORD, YOU KNOW I’LL BREAK IT! EVERYBODY GONNA SEE ME MAKE IT! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! OH, YOU KNOW, I’M HUMBLE AS CAN BE... EVEN THOUGH IT ALL COMES EASILY TO ME! Gilbert grabs his valise and exits. 3/6/18 21.

CHAPTER 6: RACHEL LYNDE IS PROPERLY HORRIFIED Morning. There is a violent knocking at the screen door. RACHEL (OFF) Marilla! Marilla! Marilla Cuthbert, I know you’re in there! Marilla! Matthew sits reading and smoking his pipe, ignoring the knocking. Marilla answers the door. Rachel Lynde enters. MARILLA Good morning, Rachel- RACHEL Marilla Cuthbert! I’ve been hearing some pretty surprising things about you and Matthew. MARILLA I don’t suppose you’re any more surprised than I am myself. RACHEL I saw Matthew the other day... MARILLA Did you? RACHEL Driving up toward Carmody... MARILLA I had supposed you might. RACHEL In a suit... MARILLA Yes? RACHEL His wagon hitched to the sorrel mare. The sorrel mare, Marilla! I mean, the sorrel mare! MARILLA There’s no need to get hysterical, Rachel. RACHEL There is a perfectly good need to get hysterical. You know I’m not the type to stick my nose in other people’s business. I figured you’d tell me your news in your own time. But, it has been nearly three days, Marilla. Three days! And, not a peep. Then, this morning, who comes waddling by my house? 3/6/18 22.

MARILLA Mrs. Spencer and Matilda Blewett, I’d suspect. RACHEL And do you know what they said to me?! Do you?! MARILLA That we’re considering keeping the orphan girl. RACHEL Oh, Marilla! Then it’s true?! Oh, Marilla! Oh, dear, sweet, deluded Marilla! MARILLA Yes, well, when I told Mrs. Spencer we wanted to send the girl back to the orphanage, she suggested Matilda Blewett take her instead - to look after her twins. RACHEL Yes! Yes! Yes! And?! MARILLA And, I wouldn’t give a dog I liked to that Blewett woman. RACHEL Marilla Cuthbert! I’m surprised at you speaking so! Gossiping! I mean, there’s no denying Matilda Blewett is an unfortunate looking woman. Cold. Pasty. Downright cadaverous. And, with a personality to match. But, far be it from me to sit around talking ill of anyone. MARILLA Tea, Rachel? RACHEL No, no! I’m far too distraught for tea. I couldn’t possibly - are those ginger cookies? MARILLA Made fresh this morning. RACHEL Well then, I might have just a splash of tea - to wash down the cookies. No sugar though. No sugar. I’m far too distraught for sug- ANNE Hello. Rachel and Marilla turn to see Anne standing in the doorway. 3/6/18 23.

RACHEL Well, they didn’t pick you for your looks. Oh, she’s terribly homely, Marilla. Did anyone ever see such freckles? And hair as red as carrots! ANNE I hate you! I hate you! How dare you call me ugly?! How dare you say I’m freckled and redheaded? MARILLA Anne! ANNE How would you like to have such things said about you?! How would you like to be told you’re just a wrinkled, nasty, old shrew. RACHEL MARILLA Well, I never - ! Anne Shirley! You go to your room! ANNE MARILLA (CONT'D) She hadn’t any right to call I’m sorry, Rachel. Anne me ugly and redheaded! doesn’t know any better - RACHEL Good luck bringing up that one, Marilla! Her temper matches her hair! Rachel exits. MARILLA Rachel - ! Anne Shirley, you go tell Mrs. Lynde you’re sorry this instant. ANNE I'm not sorry! I'm glad I told her just what I did! It was a great satisfaction! MARILLA You will apologize. ANNE I will not! MARILLA Then you will pack your bags! MATTHEW Marilla - ! Anne, in tears, runs from the kitchen to her bedroom. 3/6/18 24.

MATTHEW (CONT’D) MARILLA Anne was only - Don’t you go putting your oar in, Matthew Cuthbert! I can see you want to keep her. I should have left her Marilla- to Mrs. Blewett! We sent for a boy, we need a boy- MATTHEW I don’t need any help- MARILLA Yes, you do. MATTHEW I know what I need and what I don’t, and - MARILLA You’re failing! (an awkward moment) I only mean, you’re not as young as you used to be. Neither of us is. And this girl - MATTHEW Anne. With an ‘e.’ MARILLA What use can she be to us? MATTHEW We might be some use to her. Matthew sits with his pipe and paper, actively ignoring Marilla. MARILLA Matthew. Matthew! RACHEL MATTHEW CUTHBERT NEVER LIKED TO TALK. MRS. BARRY MATTHEW CUTHBERT NEVER LIKED TO TALK. SO, HE DIDN’T- RACHEL NO, HE DIDN’T MRS. BARRY MATTHEW CUTHBERT RARELY EVER - RACHEL & MRS. BARRY BARELY EVER EVEN MADE A SOUND 3/6/18 25.

MARILLA Matthew, really... RACHEL MARILLA WAS SO USED TO ALL HIS QUIETNESS MRS. BARRY TIMIDITY RACHEL SHE BARELY EVER - MRS. BARRY RARELY EVER NOTICED - BOTH SHE FAILED TO NOTICE RACHEL & MRS. BARRY BUT EVERY SO OFTEN... EVERY SO OFTEN... YES, EVERY SO OFTEN... MARILLA HIS SILENCE WAS PROFOUND. Marilla exits. Matthew sneaks to Anne’s room... CHAPTER 7: MATTHEW CUTHBERT PUTS HIS OAR IN MATTHEW Anne? ANNE Mr. Cuthbert? What are you doing here? MATTHEW Well now, Anne, don't you think you'd better apologize to Mrs. Lynde and have it over with? You’ll have to do it sooner or later. Marilla's a dreadful determined woman - dreadful determined. ANNE Oh, Mr. Cuthbert - she called me ugly - and carrots. I’ve never hurt so bad. Anne cries into her pillow. Matthew is lost, then... MATTHEW WHAT DO I KNOW ABOUT BEAUTY? NOTHIN’ MUCH AT ALL. 'CEPT THE KNOBBIEST LITTLE TREE WILL STILL CHANGE COLORS COME THE FALL... 3/6/18 26.

AND, THE SCARIEST HAIRIEST CATERPILLARS BECOME THE PRETTIEST BUTTERFLIES... SO, MAYBE, SOMETIMES, BEAUTY LIKE TO TAKE US BY SURPRISE. WHAT DO I KNOW ABOUT PEOPLE? NOT MUCH - IT SEEMS. 'CEPT NO MATTER SHAPE OR COLOR, WE ALL GOT THE SAME OLE DREAMS... WE LAUGH WHEN WE LAUGH, AND WHEN WE HURT IT’S OUR HEART THAT ACHES... BUT THE BIG GUY MADE US JUST AS HE WANTED... AND THE BIG GUY MAKES NO MISTAKES. SO, YOU'RE HAIR'S A LITTLE RED? LIKE CARROTS - SO THEY SAY... WELL, I'M A FARMER, I LOVE CARROTS. I'D EAT'EM EVERY DAY. IT'S JUST THE WAY YOU LOOK AT THINGS DETERMINES WHAT YOU SEE... CARROTS, CATERPILLARS, SOME KNOBBY LITTLE TREE... YEAH, I GUESS I DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT BEAUTY... 'CAUSE THEY'RE ALL BEAUTIFUL TO ME. WHAT DO I KNOW OF FORGIVIN'? A LITTLE - IF I'M BEIN' TRUE. FORGIVIN' AIN'T DONE FOR NOBODY ELSE... FORGIVIN' IS ALL FOR YOU. HATE MAKES THE WORLD SO UGLY, ANGER WIPES BEAUTY AWAY... SO, WHY NOT APOLOGIZE TO THAT WRINKLED OLD SHREW? 'CAUSE I'D SURE LOVE FOR YOU TO STAY. ANNE You want me to stay? MATTHEW Sure. Marilla and I both do. ANNE No, she doesn’t. MATTHEW Yes, she does. She’s just - well - you know - shy. ANNE Shy?! MATTHEW Well, she wants you here, same as me. She just don’t know it yet. So, you have to apologize. Even if Mrs. Lynde is mean, and nosy, and what-have-you. ANNE All right, Mr. Cuthbert. 3/6/18 27.

MATTHEW Matthew. ANNE I’ll tell Ms. Cuthbert that I’ve repented. MATTHEW Good. Oh! But don’t tell her I said anything about it. ANNE Wild horses couldn’t drag it from me, Matthew. Anne throws her arms around Matthew. He is stunned but relaxes into the embrace. Marilla is heard downstairs. Matthew tucks Anne into bed and runs down to the kitchen - almost caught. MARILLA Where were you? MATTHEW I was - just - there’s a heifer - MARILLA A heifer? MATTHEW In the pond. MARILLA A heifer in the pond? MATTHEW That’s right. I was washing - it got loose - so I was in the barn. Good night. Matthew exits. Marilla is confused - then suspicious. She goes to Anne’s room. Anne sits in bed reading her Bible. ANNE Ms. Cuthbert! I’m sorry - I hope my light didn’t bother you. I was just catching up on my Bible. This Leviticus is quite a page turner! MARILLA Well, it seems you’ve successfully loosed yourself from the depths of despair? ANNE Yes, I’ve seen the error of my ways. I was wrong to speak to Mrs. Lynde how I did, and I’m ready to apologize. MARILLA Are you now? I don’t suppose Matthew had anything to do with this sudden change of heart? 3/6/18 28.

ANNE Matthew? MARILLA Cuthbert. You know him, don’t you? White hair, short, wrinkled, and meddlesome. ANNE I can’t imagine what you’re talking about. MARILLA Very well then, I’ll take you to see Mrs. Lynde in the morning. Good night. ANNE Good night. MARILLA Oh, and Anne, if you wouldn’t mind extinguishing your pipe before you go to bed... ANNE My pipe? Marilla gestures to Matthew’s pipe, resting on the night stand, where he’d forgotten it. Anne, caught, hands it to Marilla. ANNE (CONT’D) It’s a disgusting habit, I know. I’ve been trying to quit. MARILLA Lying is a sin. Even if the old fool put you up to it. Now, say your prayers and go to sleep. (she exits the room:) Matthew Cuthbert. Lighting shift - the next day. Rachel Lynde stands on her porch. Marilla and Anne enter. CHAPTER 8: ANNE’S APOLOGY RACHEL Hello, Marilla. Oh, and who do we have here? Why, if it’s not the little orphan girl who tried to kill me with her venomous tongue, not but a day ago! Come back to finish the job, have you? MARILLA Good morning, Rachel. Anne has something she’d like to say to you. Anne? ANNE OH, MRS. LYNDE I’M SO EXTREMELY SORRY. I HOPE THAT YOU’LL FORGIVE ME 3/6/18 29.

FOR THE THINGS I SAID TO YOU. EVERY WORD YOU SAID, WHEN YOU SAID MY HAIR IS RED, AND THAT I’M FRECKLED, UGLY, SKINNY - IT’S ALL TRUE. I KNOW IT’S TRUE... SO, I HOPE YOU’LL BELIEVE ME... WHEN I APOLOGIZE TO YOU. MARILLA That was very good of you, Anne. Wasn’t that good of her Rachel - ? ANNE OOOOOOH, MRS. LYNDE I’M SOOOO EXTREMELY SORRY. I’M SORRIER THAN NEARLY ANYONE HAS EVER BEEN! MARILLA That’s good - ANNE EVEN IF YOU’RE FAT AND OLD, THERE’S NO REASON YOU SHOULD BE TOLD... MARILLA Anne - ANNE MOST OF ALL, NOT BY ME... AND SO I HOPE THAT YOU CAN SEE... THAT I’M SORRY... I’M SO SORRY... I’M SO, SO, SO, SO, SO, SO, SO, SO, SO, SO SORRY! MARILLA Yes, Anne, I think Mrs. Lynde understands - ANNE I CAST MY BODY AT YOUR FEET. LET YOUR JUSTICE BE COMPLETE. I’LL ENDURE WHATEVER TORTURE YOU DEVISE. OH, SWEET, MERCIFUL MRS. LYNDE, FOR ALL THE SINS THAT I HAVE EVER SINNED... I APOLOGIZE. Anne has prostrated herself in front of Rachel Lynde. Marilla is genuinely horrified; Rachel is genuinely moved. MARILLA Oh, for heaven-sake- 3/6/18 30.

RACHEL There, there, dear sweet child. Of course I forgive you. I guess I was a little too hard on you. But I'm such an outspoken person. You mustn't mind me. It can't be denied your hair is awfully red, but I knew a girl once whose hair was every bit as red as yours, when she was young, but when she grew up it darkened to a real handsome auburn. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if yours did too. ANNE Oh, Mrs. Lynde! You have given me a hope. I could endure anything if I only thought my hair would be a handsome auburn when I grew up. It would be so much easier to be good if one's hair was a handsome auburn, don't you think? The sound of girls at play is heard, catching Anne’s attention. RACHEL That’s Diana Barry. You’ll be in school together, I suppose. That is, if you’re meant to stay at Green Gables. ANNE Diana Barry. What a beautiful name. RACHEL Why don’t you go introduce yourself? ANNE (to Marilla:) Can I? MARILLA Absolutely n- RACHEL Of course! Of course - run along, dear child! Anne departs. Marilla calls after her. MARILLA Stay close! I have to be getting back to make Matthew’s lunch! (to Rachel:) Dear child?! Yesterday she was a demon. RACHEL A demon?! Oh, Marilla, honestly! Must you always be so melodramatic? Rachel and Marilla exit. Lighting shift. Diana floats in. Anne watches in awe. Diana is effortlessly beautiful, elegant, sweet. 3/6/18 31.

CHAPTER 9: A SOLEMN VOW AND PROMISE RUBY DIANA BARRY WAS VERY, VERY SHY. PRISSY SHE WAS VERY, VERY GOOD. RUBY & PRISSY & MOODY SHE WAS VERY, VERY... ANNE VERY BEAUTIFUL. RUBY & PRISSY & MOODY SHE HAD RAVEN HAIR AND SKIN OF IVORY. SHE WAS EVERYTHING THAT ANNE COULD WISH TO BE... ANNE SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL. RUBY & PRISSY & MOODY DIANA BARRY WAS VERY, VERY KIND. SHE WAS VERY, VERY GOOD. DIANA BUT, MOST OF ALL, DIANA BARRY... WAS VERY, VERY MISUNDERSTOOD. I’ve never met a real live orphan before. ANNE How did you know I was an orphan? DIANA Everyone knows. The whole town is talking about it - it has upset Mrs. Lynde’s entire week. ANNE You wouldn’t know by looking at her, but Mrs. Lynde is a kindred spirit of sorts. Diana is such a pretty name. Do you know what it means? DIANA Yes. Me. ANNE No, I mean the name. It means ‘divine.’ DIANA What does Anne mean? ANNE It means favor - God favors me. 3/6/18 32.

DIANA What did he favor you with? ANNE I don’t know. But, if it’s red hair and freckles- (skyward:) Favor me less! DIANA You’re bizarre. ANNE Have you ever had a bosom friend? DIANA What’s that? ANNE A best friend. Like a sister. DIANA I don’t think so. ANNE We could be bosom friends. Sisters. DIANA But, I have a sister. And you’re an orphan. ANNE Diana, honestly. DIANA What? ANNE I’m not speaking literally. DIANA Oh, good. I only speak English. ANNE HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF FATE? DIANA No. ANNE HAVE YOU HEARD OF DESTINY? DIANA No. 3/6/18 33.

ANNE WELL, IT MEANS SOMETHING WAS MEANT TO OCCUR, THAT THE UNIVERSE PLOTTED IT OUT... SEE, I WAS DESTINED TO MEET YOU... AND YOU WERE FATED TO KNOW ME... WE WERE INTENDED TO BE THE BEST OF FRIENDS, CAN’T YOU SEE THAT? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT? DIANA Not really. But it sounds lovely. A bosom friend. I can hardly imagine. ANNE You can imagine almost anything if you try hard enough. DIANA Well, how do we do it? ANNE We swear to be best friends forever and ever. DIANA Isn’t it wicked to swear? ANNE No - it just means vowing and promising solemnly. DIANA Oh, well, I don’t mind doing that! ANNE Okay then, we must join hands... DIANA (re: Anne’s expression:) What’s wrong? ANNE It’s supposed to be done over running water. DIANA Oh. Well... WE’LL JUST IMAGINE THAT THIS PATH IS A RIVER... A GIANT RIVER LEADING OUT INTO THE SEA... AND WE’RE STANDING ON ADJACENT SHORES. As Diana begins to sing, the path becomes a river and we follow the two girls on their imagined journeys... ANNE YOUR HAND IN MINE- 3/6/18 34.

DIANA AND MINE IN YOURS... JUST AS IT WAS ALWAYS MEANT TO BE. ANNE WE’LL IMAGINE THAT THE MIST IS ALL AROUND US... DIANA AS THE SUN BEGINS TO SET OUT IN THE WEST. ANNE I’LL WHISPER A SOLEMN VOW... DIANA AND I’LL REPEAT IT BACK - SOMEHOW. BOTH AND, THE RIVER WILL DELIVER US A FRIENDSHIP THAT IS BLESSED. ANNE JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES AND YOU CAN HEAR IT... A KINDRED SPIRIT OF YOUR OWN... THAT MISSING PART- DIANA PART OF YOUR HEART- ANNE THE PART YOU KNEW RIGHT FROM THE START WAS MISSING- DIANA FROM THE START A PART OF YOUR OWN HEART HAS ALWAYS KNOWN... BOTH YOU ARE NOT ALONE! ANNE Diana! What adventures we’ll have together! Conquer mountains! Brave primeval forests! DIANA Meet handsome princes and fall in love! ANNE Think bigger, Diana! DIANA What’s bigger than princes?! Kings! ANNE Diana, honestly! 3/6/18 35.

DIANA What?! ANNE JUST IMAGINE OUR LIVES ARE LIKE A RIVER, EVER FLOWING TOWARD SOME DARK AND DISTANT SHORE! DIANA WE SINK BELOW! ANNE WE FLOAT ABOVE! DIANA WE GROW! ANNE WE LEARN! DIANA WE FALL IN LOVE! BOTH AND EVERY DAY - DIANA THERE’S SOMETHING NEW IN STORE... ANNE IN EVERY WAY - IT’S YOU I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR! BOTH JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES - YOU CAN HEAR IT! A KINDRED SPIRIT ALL YOUR OWN... DIANA THE BEST OF YOU- ANNE THE REST OF YOU- DIANA THE BEST OF WHAT’S SUPPRESSED INSIDE YOU- ANNE THE BEST THAT YOU’VE REPRESSED CAN BE EXPRESSED ONCE YOU ARE SHOWN... YOU ARE NOT ALONE! DIANA NO, YOU ARE NOT ALONE... They stand on opposite sides of a raging river, holding hands... 3/6/18 36.

ANNE CAUSE I - DIANA I - ANNE I MAKE A VOW - DIANA I MAKE A VOW - ANNE IT’S ONLY YOU AND I FOREVER NOW. DIANA IT’S ONLY EVER YOU AND I FOREVER HERE AND NOW. ANNE AND I SWEAR TO BE TRUE... DIANA LIKE I SAID, I NEVER SWEAR - BOTH BUT JUST THIS ONCE I’LL SWEAR TO YOU... THAT I WILL ALWAYS BE... WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE ME BE. ANNE A CONFIDANT - DIANA A what? ANNE A BOSOM FRIEND. DIANA Oh, right! BOTH I PROMISE TO RESPECT YOU, TO DEFEND YOU AND PROTECT YOU, ANNE THIS I SWEAR... DIANA THIS I SWEAR... BOTH THIS I SWEAR UNTIL THE BITTER END! 3/6/18 37.

MARILLA (OFF) Anne Shirley! The river has disappeared and they stand back where they started, on opposite sides of the path, holding hands. ANNE Oh, that’s Ms. Cuthbert! I must be late! Marilla enters. MARILLA Didn’t I tell you to stay close? DIANA Hello, Ms. Cuthbert. MARILLA Hello, Diana. It’s time for Anne to go. Mrs. Barry enters. MRS. BARRY Diana- Oh... Ms. Cuthbert, hello. MARILLA Mrs. Barry. Mrs. Barry stares at Anne, struggling to hide her displeasure. DIANA Mother, this is Anne Shirley. She’s my kindred spirit. MRS. BARRY Your what? DIANA Kindred spirit. It’s like a sister. But, not. Because she’s an orphan. And, I have a sister. But, it’s very similar. But, different too. MRS. BARRY Isn’t that nice. MARILLA We should be going, Anne. MRS. BARRY Yes. Diana, too. There’s housework to be done. DIANA I’ll see you at school then, Anne? 3/6/18 38.

MARILLA Yes. (to Anne:) Now, come along- ANNE Yes?! Yes? You mean... I can stay? Then, I apologized well enough to Mrs. Lynde? You liked my apology? MARILLA I can honestly say I have never witnessed an apology quite like it. ANNE Oh, Ms. Cuthbert! MARILLA I haven’t made any decision. Do you understand? So, you will remain at Green Gables, on a trial basis, until I do. But, any more outbursts, or such nonsense, and you’ll be on the first train back to the asylum- Anne hugs her. Marilla is extremely uncomfortable... MARILLA (CONT’D) Yes, well. All right then. Yes. All right, enough of that. That’s good. All right. Anne! Anne releases Marilla. ANNE Thank you so much- MARILLA Just say your good-byes and be quick about it. Good-bye Mrs. Barry, Diana. Marilla exits. ANNE Yes, good-bye. I’ll see you at school - which is very exciting for me, because I’ve never been to a proper school. I always used to imagine that I was- MARILLA (OFFSTAGE) Anne! ANNE Coming! Anne kisses Diana on the cheek and exits. 3/6/18 39.

MRS. BARRY (displeased:) Come along, Diana. Mrs. Barry exits. DIANA You’re a queer girl, Anne Shirley. But, I believe I’m going to like you very much. Lighting shift. Marilla and Anne walk home as the Avonlea Schoolhouse takes shape around them. ANNE What am I to call you now? MARILLA Call me? ANNE Can I call you Aunt Marilla? MARILLA No, you can call me just plain Marilla. ANNE I’d love to call you Aunt Marilla - I’ve never had an aunt or any relation at all - it would make me feel as if I really belonged to you- MARILLA You do not belong to us. This is a trial, nothing more. Do you understand me? Besides, I’m not your aunt. ANNE But, we could imagine you were my aunt. MARILLA No, we could not. When the Lord puts us in certain circumstances He doesn’t intend for us to imagine them away. ANNE So you never imagine things different from how they really are? MARILLA No. ANNE Oh, Marilla, how much you miss. Marilla exits. 3/6/18 40.

CHAPTER 10: A TEMPEST IN A SCHOOL TEAPOT The Avonlea Schoolhouse. Students enter, mayhem ensues... ENSEMBLE ANNE WENT TO SCHOOL! DIANA ANNE STUDIED POETRY AND GEOMETRY... PRISSY & RUBY LITERATURE AND MATH. MOODY ANNE HATED MATH. ENSEMBLE ANNE HATED MATH! MR. PHILLIPS BUT SHE LEARNED IT JUST THE SAME. DIANA ANNE MADE FRIENDS - ENSEMBLE WITH ALL THE OTHER KIDS... MOODY MOODY! PRISSY PRISSY! RUBY RUBY GILLIS TOO! DIANA EVERYONE EXCEPT FOR JOSIE PYE! ENSEMBLE NOBODY AT ALL LIKED JOSIE PYE! ONLY JOSIE PYE LIKED JOSIE PYE! JOSIE JOSIE PYE WAS BEAUTIFUL- RUBY ARROGANT! JOSIE SMART! 3/6/18 41.

DIANA TERRIBLY VAIN. JOSIE AND JOSIE PYE WAS VERY GOOD AT MATH... UNLIKE ANNE! DIANA BUT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT ONLY PEOPLE WITH NO IMAGINATION TAKE PRIDE IN BEING GOOD AT ADDITION, DIVISION, AND SUBTRACTION- JOSIE AND MULTIPLICATION! ENSEMBLE THE WEEKS WENT BY... ANNE STUDIED HARD - UNLIKE THE OTHER GIRLS - JUDE WHO ONLY STUDIED BOYS! CHARLIE SHE STUDIED BOOKS. I MEAN, SHE ACTUALLY SEEMED TO READ THE BOOKS! JUDE SHE WAS WEIRD, CONFUSING, A BIT... MOODY OBTUSE? CHARLIE SHE DIDN’T SEEM TO FLIRT WITH US! MALE ENSEMBLE SHE BARELY EVER LOOKED AT US! RUBY TO BE FRANK - SHE COULDN’T FIND THE USE! PRISSY NO, TO ANNE, BOYS PRESENTED NO PRACTICAL USE. DIANA THAT IS UNTIL... ENSEMBLE THE DAY THAT ANNE MET GIL... Gilbert Blythe enters. The students rush him, ad libs, then: CHARLIE Gil! How was Carmody?! 3/6/18 42.

GILBERT Incredible! I dominated! With both grades and girls! Across the room, the excitement catches Anne’s eye... ANNE Who is he? DIANA That’s Gilbert Blythe. He's been doing an honors course in Carmody all summer, for smart people. He only came home this Saturday. He's awfully handsome, isn’t he, Anne? He teases us girls something terrible. He just torments our lives out. ANNE You sound as if you rather like being tormented. Gilbert notices Anne and winks at her. DIANA Anne he winked at you! He winked at you! Right at you! Did you see that?! Did you? Anne! Oh, Anne, could you just die?! Couldn’t you just die?! I mean, could you?! I could! Couldn’t you?! I could just fall down dead right now, Anne! He winked! He winked at you! I mean, Anne, he winked at you! ANNE Diana, please! Control yourself! I think your Gilbert Blythe is very handsome, but I think he’s also very bold. It isn’t polite to wink at a strange girl. DIANA Perhaps he doesn’t know you’re strange yet! The school bell rings. Again, mayhem ensues... ENSEMBLE THE SEMESTER FLEW! PRISSY ANNE WAS PLEASED WITH ALL THE THINGS SHE LEARNED. RUBY SHE DEVOURED EVERY SUBJECT... MOODY SHE GOT STRAIGHT A’S IN EVERY SUBJECT... JOSIE WHO GETS STRAIGHT A’S IN EVERY SUBJECT? 3/6/18 43.

RUBY ANNE DID! AND, ALL OF WHICH SHE EARNED! DIANA WHILE DIANA BARRY WAS GRATEFUL JUST TO PASS... ENSEMBLE SHE PASSED?! DIANA SHE BARELY PASSED! RUBY OH, ANNE WAS TOP OF THE CLASS! DIANA BUT, IT WASN’T LONG UNTIL... THAT HANDSOME BOY NAMED GIL... WAS NIPPING AT HER HEELS... AND STILL WINKING AT HER AS HE STEALS... Mr. Phillips reads the end of semester placements. MR. PHILLIPS I’m pleased to report that first place goes to Anne Shirley. And, Gilbert Blythe. GILBERT A FIRST PLACE SPOT! Lighting shift. Recess... PRISSY First place, Anne! Congratulations! ANNE Tied for first. DIANA Tied is still first. ANNE Not really. GILBERT Hey! Hey! DIANA Anne, I think Gilbert is calling for you. GILBERT Hey! 3/6/18 44.

ANNE (to Diana, loudly:) If Mr. Blythe wants my attention he can call me by name - like any other civilized person. I don’t answer to “Hey!” GILBERT So, you’re ignoring me then? Really? ANNE Come along, Diana. DIANA But, Anne - GILBERT Hey! Carrots! Gilbert tugs one of Anne’s braids. Anne whirls around, enraged. ANNE Carrots?! You mean, hateful - how dare you! She brings her slate down over his head, cracking it in half. Gilbert falls to the ground. MR. PHILLIPS Anne Shirley! GILBERT It was my fault, Mr. Phillips. I teased her. MR. PHILLIPS Do not forget your place, Ms. Shirley! Top of the class or not, your primary goal at this school is to learn to behave like a good girl. ANNE I have no interest in being a good girl if it means I have to tolerate bad boys! MR. PHILLIPS Ms. Shirley, if you intend on competing with the boys - ANNE I don’t intend on competing with them; I intend on beating them. MR. PHILLIPS Not physically, I hope! ANNE Only when absolutely necessary. 3/6/18 45.

MR. PHILLIPS Apologize to Mr. Blythe! Apologize to Mr. Blythe! ANNE I’m sorry. MR. PHILLIPS That’s more like it- ANNE I’m sorry that you were raised to believe that every female on this planet should be flattered by your attention. I’m sorry that society has taught you that it’s your right to grab a girl who doesn’t immediately respond to your advances. But, most of all, I’m sorry that you are constantly having these antiquated beliefs reinforced by small-minded, chicken-livered, backward-thinking men like him! Mr. Phillips takes Anne to the black board, stands her in front of the class, and writes above her head... MR. PHILLIPS “Ann Shirley has a very bad temper. Ann Shirley must learn to control her temper.” (positioning her below it) Now, you will stand there for the rest of the afternoon and think of an appropriate apology. GILBERT AND SO ANNE STOOD! DIANA ANNE STOOD FOR HOURS THERE, UNMOVING... GILBERT SHE DIDN’T MOVE! MOODY SHE DIDN’T CRY! RUBY DIDN’T LOOK ASHAMED! PRISSY CONTRITE! DIANA TO BE HONEST IT WAS QUITE A SIGHT... JOSIE I’M NOT SURE WHAT SHE THOUGHT THAT SHE WAS PROVING? 3/6/18 46.

GILBERT AND GILBERT FELT ASHAMED OF WHAT HE SAID... HE DIDN’T KNOW SHE HATED THAT HER HAIR WAS RED... HE COULDN’T FOCUS ON THE LECTURE... MR. PHILLIPS LED THAT DAY... HE COULD ONLY STARE AT ANNE... HE COULD ONLY STARE AT ANNE... AND WONDER WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH HER HEAD...? Anne glares at Gilbert, as she summons an apocalyptic thunderstorm of rage in her imagination... ANNE FOREVER... I WILL HATE YOU FOREVER... FOREVER, AND EVER, AND EVER... AND BEYOND! BEYOND FOREVER... FOR SO MUCH LONGER THAN FOREVER... MR. BLYTHE, IF YOU EVER ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE ME, I NEVER WILL RESPOND. IF YOU CAN HEAR WHAT I’M THINKING RIGHT NOW- LET ME SAY... YOU DO NOT EXIST IN MY WORLD BEYOND TODAY! NOTHING YOU SAY AND NOTHING YOU DO... CAN ERASE WHAT YOU’VE DONE- SO LET ME SAY THIS TO YOU- I’LL HATE YOU FOREVER... I WILL HATE YOU UNTIL THE END OF TIME... HATE! HATE! HATE YOU FOREVER! AND, EVER! AND, EVER! FOR YOUR ABHORRENT CRIME. IF I STAND HERE DISGRACED, THEN I STAND HERE AS A MARTYR, AND MY ONLY REGRET, THE ONLY SORROW I FEEL... IS THAT I DIDN’T HIT YOU HARDER. MR. PHILLIPS Well, Ms. Shirley? You can end this public humiliation right now with a simple apology, or we can continue on like this all afternoon. It’s entirely your choice. So? Do you have anything to say? ANNE Get comfortable. MR. PHILLIPS Very, well. Then, from now on, instead of sitting beside Diana Barry, you will share a desk with Mr. Blythe. Perhaps this will teach you to behave. Did you hear what I said, Ms. Shirley? 3/6/18 47.

ANNE Yes. But I didn’t suppose you really meant it. MR. PHILLIPS I assure you, I did. (pointing to the desk) Go on. Get comfortable. ANNE GILBERT FOREVER... GILBERT FELT ASHAMED OF WHAT I WILL HATE YOU FOREVER HE SAID FOREVER, AND EVER, AND HE DIDN’T KNOW SHE HATED EVER... THAT HER HAIR WAS RED UNTIL THE END OF DAYS HE COULDN’T FOCUS ON THE NOTHING AND NO ONE LECTURE NO WAY, NO HOW, NO NEVER MR. PHILLIPS LED THAT DAY I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU HE COULD ONLY STARE AT ANNE I WILL HATE YOU FOREVER! HE COULD ONLY STARE AT ANNE AND WONDER WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH HER HEAD... FOREVER! Lighting shift. That evening, the kitchen of Green Gables... CHAPTER 11: VANITY AND VEXATION OF SPIRIT MATTHEW What do you mean she broke her slate over his head? MARILLA Rachel said she cracked the slate right in half. I had expected a bit of turmoil, but violence? MATTHEW Well, that Blythe boy shouldn’t have twitted her about her looks. (a moment) She really broke the slate over his head? MARILLA Positively shattered it. (Matthew starts to laugh) Stop that. It’s not funny. Stop that now. She’ll have to be punished. This vanity of hers! I should go check on her. She’s been up there since she got home from school. Lighting shift - Gilbert enters the kitchen of his house. JOHN (re: the bump on his head) What in the...? What happened to you? GILBERT I got into a fight. At school. 3/6/18 48.

JOHN A fight?! Gilbert - ! GILBERT It - I didn’t - it was a misunderstanding. JOHN A big one, from the looks of it. First you flunk out of the honors course this summer, a total embarrassment, and now this? I’m ashamed of you, Gilbert. Fighting?! GILBERT It’s over now. JOHN Oh, no it’s not. I plan to talk to Mr. Phillips tomorrow - and the other lad’s parents. GILBERT BLYTHE JOHN BLYTHE No! Please! What’s his name? GILBERT Dad, please don’t - JOHN What’s his name? GILBERT Anne. Lighting shift - back at Green Gables, Marilla enters Anne’s room. Anne is buried beneath the covers of her bed, crying. MARILLA Anne? ANNE Go away. MARILLA Anne, we need to talk. ANNE Please, Marilla - don’t look at me. My life is a perfect graveyard of buried hopes. MARILLA Yes, I thought it might be. ANNE I'm in the depths of despair, and I don't suppose I'll ever be able to go anywhere ever again. 3/6/18 49.

MARILLA For heaven’s sake, what are you babbling on about? ANNE I THOUGHT NOTHING COULD BE WORSE THAN RED... THAT’S WHAT I ALWAYS THOUGHT - THAT’S WHAT I ALWAYS SAID. I IMAGINED MYSELF WITH EVERY COLOR HAIR I’D EVER SEEN... OH, BUT MARILLA, DEAR SWEET, MARILLA... I NEVER IMAGINED GREEN. MARILLA What are you - ? Anne sits up to reveal a head of putrid green hair. ANNE Is it as awful as I imagine it is? MARILLA Yes. What have you done? ANNE I dyed it. MARILLA Dyed it?! ANNE After what Gilbert said - MARILLA You shouldn’t waste time concerning yourself with what people say. The only thing more common than bad opinions are the people who have them. ANNE You don’t understand- MARILLA I understand that ‘beauty is as beauty does.’ ANNE I hate that saying. MARILLA I can’t imagine why. ANNE No, I’m sure you can’t. 3/6/18 50.

MARILLA Well, sometimes it’s beneficial to have a limited imagination, Anne. For example, I would never imagine dying my hair green- ANNE It was meant to be black! MARILLA Black! Green! What difference does it make? I would never imagine dying it any color. I’d be modest enough to leave it alone. You have red hair and freckles. And, you will have red hair and freckles for the rest of your life. So, whether you like it or not, you should learn to accept it, because that’s the ugly truth! Marilla immediately regrets her choice of words. A long moment. Anne stares at her reflection in the mirror... ANNE I WATCHED THE OTHER LITTLE GIRLS, THE ONES WITH WATERFALLS OF CURLS, ONE BY ONE THEY’D LEAVE WITH BRAND NEW PARENTS OF THEIR OWN I’D SIT AND WONDER WHAT WAS WRONG, THERE MUST BE SOME PLACE I BELONG, BUT YEARS WOULD COME AND YEARS WOULD GO AND I’D BE LEFT THERE, ALL ALONE HOW WAS I TO KNOW...? YOU DON’T KNOW YOU’RE UGLY UNTIL SOMEONE TELLS YOU SO. HOW COULD I BE... THAT SOMETHING THEY WANTED TO SEE? DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE LONELY? DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE ALONE? I KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE ONLY ON MY OWN- ONLY EVER ON MY OWN. “BEAUTY IS AS BEAUTY DOES” I DON’T BELIEVE THAT’S TRUE, BECAUSE I’VE SEEN IT. I HAVE LIVED IT. BEAUTY ALWAYS WINS. I LIVED IN DREAMS THE BEST I COULD, I TRIED TO BE SO SMART AND GOOD, BUT NONE OF THAT MATTERS, ONCE THE CHOOSING BEGINS. WHY CAN’T YOU SEE...? WHATEVER BEAUTY MEANS TO YOU, 3/6/18 51.

IT’S MEANT SOMETHING ELSE TO ME DON’T YOU KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE LONELY? DON’T YOU KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE ALONE? I KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE ONLY ON MY OWN- ONLY EVER ON MY OWN. EVERY DAY I’D WHISPER “PLEASE, CHOOSE ME,” EVERY DAY THEY’D PASS ME BY NOW, LOOK AT ME, STILL DESPERATE TO BE CHOSEN... WHY, MARILLA? WHY? MARILLA Anne- ANNE YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE LONELY... NO, I DON’T THINK YOU KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE ALONE... BUT, I KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE ONLY ON MY OWN... ONLY EVER ON MY OWN. I LISTENED AND I LEARNED THE LESSONS OF MY YOUTH THE WORLD ADORES THE BEAUTIFUL... THE WORLD REWARDS THE BEAUTIFUL... AND THAT’S THE UGLY TRUTH. I’ll go get the scissors. Anne exits. Marilla is shaken. A moment. Lighting shift... CHAPTER 12: DIANA IS INVITED TO TEA WITH TRAGIC RESULTS PRISSY FOR SEVERAL WEEKS... ENSEMBLE ANNE WOULDN’T GO TO SCHOOL! RUBY SHE COULDN’T GO TO SCHOOL! PRISSY SHE WAS AFRAID WHAT JOSIE PYE WOULD SAY... JOSIE JOSIE PYE WOULD SAY HER HAIR WAS REALLY UGLY... SHORT AND STUPID LOOKING AND REALLY, REALLY UGLY... SHORT AND STUPID - AND STILL RED - AND REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY UGLY! RUBY & PRISSY & MOODY SO, AT GREEN GABLES, ANNE HID AWAY, WHERE NOBODY COULD SEE. 3/6/18 52.

DIANA UNTIL THE DAY MARILLA TOLD HER... THAT SHE COULD INVITE DIANA BARRY... OVER TO GREEN GABLES FOR TEA! ANNE Marilla! You are able to imagine things after all, or else you'd never have understood how badly I've wanted to have a proper tea with Diana! MARILLA You can open the little crock of cherry preserves, cut some lemon bread, and there's a bottle of raspberry cordial on the second shelf of the sitting-room closet. ANNE Raspberry cordial! Oh, I love bright red drinks, don't you? They taste twice as good as any other color! MARILLA For heaven’s sake! The things you say! I’ll be gone till late tonight and Matthew won’t be back from the fields till who-knows-when, I’m trusting you to take care of the house. ANNE You won’t regret it! MARILLA I think I already do. Marilla exits. Lighting shift - Diana enters. RUBY DIANA ARRIVED AT NOON! MOODY AND ANNE WAS WAITING BY THE WINDOW... PRISSY SHE COULD HARDLY CONTAIN HERSELF... RUBY SHE FLEW OVER TO THE SECOND SHELF... OF THE SITTING ROOM CLOSET... PRISSY BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THERE... MOODY THE SHELF WAS COMPLETELY BARE... RUBY IF THE RASPBERRY CORDIAL WASN’T THERE - 3/6/18 53.

ENSEMBLE THEN WHERE? ON THE TOP SHELF! IN THE BACK! RUBY BEHIND SOME FLOUR AND BROWN SUGAR... A DAINTY LITTLE BOTTLE STOOD... MOODY HALF-FULL! RUBY BUT LOOKING - OH - SO GOOD! ANNE RUBY RED RASPBERRY CORDIAL! RUBY & PRISSY & MOODY MARILLA SAID RASPBERRY CORDIAL! ENSEMBLE LEMON BREAD AND RASPBERRY CORDIAL! Anne pours Diana a large glass of the cordial. Diana drinks. DIANA That's awfully good, Anne. I didn't know raspberry cordial was so nice. ANNE I'm glad you like it. Here! Have some more! Take as much as you want! Anne pours another glass of raspberry cordial for Diana, who gladly drinks it. Anne sets a parcel in front of Diana. DIANA What’s this? ANNE A gift. DIANA For me? (she opens it) Oh. A book. ANNE It’s one of my favorites, Romeo & Juliet. DIANA Shakespeare?! 3/6/18 54.

ANNE It’s impossibly romantic. DIANA It’s impossibly long. I barely passed English, Anne. What makes you believe I can understand Shakespeare? ANNE Because I believe in you. Oh! I should check the stove. I’ll be right back. Make yourself comfortable! Eat! Drink! Anne exits. Diana flips through the pages of the book, then turns back to her glass of raspberry cordial and drinks... PRISSY DIANA BARRY WAS VERY, VERY GOOD... MOODY SHE WAS VERY, VERY KIND... RUBY SHE WAS VERY, VERY - VERY THIRSTY. Diana drinks another glass, and another... PRISSY ANNE STIRRED THE FIRE! MOODY SET THE TABLE! RUBY PLACED THE FRESHLY FOLDED LINENS BACK IN THE TRUNK! ENSEMBLE AND BY THE TIME THAT SHE RETURNED... BY THE TIME THAT SHE’D RETURNED... BY THE TIME THAT SHE’D RETURNED... DIANA BIANA DARRY WAS VERY, VERY... ENSEMBLE VERY, VERY... DIANA DRUNK. Diana passes out. Lighting shift - Mrs. Barry and Marilla stand on the Barry’s front porch. Anne cowers behind Marilla, sobbing. MRS. BARRY No! I don’t want that girl anywhere near, Diana. 3/6/18 55.

MARILLA I apologize. Anne told me what happened, and I assure you, Mrs. Barry, it was entirely my fault. I misplaced the bottle, and she didn’t know the difference. MRS. BARRY She gave my daughter currant wine, Marilla! Currant wine! MARILLA I realize that, and I apologize - MRS. BARRY People told me I shouldn’t let Diana around an orphan. MARILLA Mrs. Barry! There is no need to - MRS. BARRY MARILLA (CONT'D) (to Anne:) I tried to give you the benefit of the doubt, but now I can see they were right - a rotten orphan doesn’t belong among decent Mrs. Barry! people - I’m never going to let Diana - ANNE I never tasted it! I thought it was the cordial. MARILLA She didn’t know - MRS. BARRY I find it hard to believe that a feral little urchin like her wouldn’t know the difference between currant wine and raspberry cordial! MARILLA And, I find it hard believe that your spoiled brat of a daughter would down three tumblers of anything! Anne made an honest mistake - Diana was just a - just a - a glutenous little pig! And if I were you I’d take her over the knee and spank the currant wine right out of her! That would surely sober her up! MRS. BARRY Marilla Cuthbert! MARILLA Come along, Anne. We’re through here. Marilla and Anne walk toward Green Gables, Anne stops... 3/6/18 56.

ANNE She’s right. MARILLA She’s not right. ANNE She is! I don’t - I don’t belong here! Even when I try to be good - even when I try as hard as I can, with every fiber of my being... Mrs. Barry is- MARILLA An ignorant, opinionated, self-righteous cow. That woman is a lot of things, but right, she is not. (a moment) Matthew and I were planning to tell you this together, but, considering the circumstances, I’m sure he’ll forgive me- Lighting shift. Anne’s imagination: ANNE STOP! DON’T SAY ANOTHER WORD... I KNOW JUST WHAT YOU’RE GONNA SAY... I’VE BEEN WAITING SINCE FOREVER... BUT, SUDDENLY, I’M NOT READY FOR THIS... Lighting shift. Real time: MARILLA Matthew and I have decided - Lighting shift. Anne’s imagination: ANNE STOP! I NEED ANOTHER MINUTE... THIRTY SECONDS - TWENTY - TEN! ALRIGHT! JUST A MOMENT MORE AND THEN... I’LL STEADY MYSELF FOR THIS... Lighting shift. Real time: MARILLA ... we’ve decided the trial period is over. You can stay at Green Gables. That is, we’d like you to stay at Green Gables. If you’ll have us. Lighting shift. Anne’s imagination: ANNE SO THAT’S IT - I FINALLY GOT JUST WHAT I WANTED, A QUIET LITTLE PLACE WHERE I BELONG... 3/6/18 57.

I SHOULD BE THRILLED - I SHOULD BE DANCING ON THE CEILING INSTEAD OF FEELING LIKE EVERYTHING IS WRONG... Elsewhere, Diana enters, holding the book Anne gave her... DIANA SO, THAT’S IT YOU CAN FORGET YOUR KINDRED SPIRIT MOTHER WILL NOT HEAR IT - LIFE GOES ON YOU KNOW THE RULES - CHILDREN ARE SEEN AND NEVER HEARD, SO, NOT ANOTHER WORD, DIANA, YOU’RE ONLY MEANT TO BE LOOKED UPON... ANNE DIANA (CONT'D) HOME IS ALL I EVER WANTED... BEAUTIFUL... HOME IS ALL I EVER SIMPLE AND BEAUTIFUL... DREAMED... NOW, HOME IS NOT AS SIMPLE BUT, MAYBE NOT AS SIMPLE AS IT SEEMED... AS I SEEMED... BOTH WHEN DID IT CHANGE? WHEN DID IT CHANGE? CONFUSION REIGNS SUPREME AND DREAMS SEEM SOUR NOW AND STRANGE! WAS IT A LIE? AND WHAT'S THE TRUTH? NOW THAT I'M STANDING IN THE ASHES OF MY YOUTH Elsewhere, Gilbert enters... GILBERT SO THAT’S IT - IT WAS JUST A MINOR CONCUSSION - I’VE BEEN HIT... LITERALLY... KNOCKED OFF MY FEET! I WAS CAREFREE AND POPULAR, TOP OF THE CLASS- THEN THIS ANNE SHIRLEY GIRL COMES AND KNOCKS ME ON MY RUMP! CALLS ME A FOOL! CALLS ME A CHUMP! ANNE & GILBERT & DIANA NOW, I’M QUESTIONING EVERYTHING I THOUGHT I WAS... RETHINKING EVERYTHING I THOUGHT I’D BE... GILBERT ALL THANKS TO HER... DIANA WHO I WAS... 3/6/18 58.

GILBERT ALL THANKS TO HER... ANNE & DIANA WHO WE WERE... GILBERT ALL THANKS TO AN INJURY FROM THE GINGER WE... KNOW AS ANNE OF AVONLEA... ANNE & GILBERT & DIANA WHEN DID IT CHANGE? WHEN DID IT CHANGE? CONFUSION REIGNS SUPREME AND DREAMS SEEM SOUR NOW AND STRANGE! WAS IT A LIE? AND WHAT'S THE TRUTH? NOW THAT I'M STANDING IN THE ASHES OF MY YOUTH ALL ALL I’VE EVER WANTED WAS BELONGING, A FEELING OF BELONGING, SOMEWHERE, SOMEHOW, TO SOMEONE BUT NOW THAT I’M FINALLY BELONGING WHO WOULD THINK I STILL COULD BE LONGING... WHEN DID IT CHANGE? WHEN DID I CHANGE? CONFUSION REIGNS SUPREME AND DREAMS SEEM SOUR NOW AND STRANGE! WAS IT A LIE? AND WHAT'S THE TRUTH? NOW THAT I'M STANDING IN THE ASHES OF MY... STANDING IN THE ASHES OF MY... STANDING IN THE ASHES... STANDING IN THE ASHES... COME FIND ME IN THE ASHES... Lighting shift. Real time: MARILLA Anne? Marilla waits for a response. Anne embraces her, and, for the first time, Marilla smiles. ALL ...OF MY YOUTH! Blackout - “Chapter 13: A New Interest in Life” is projected on the back wall and remains through intermission. [END OF ACT ONE] 3/6/18 59.

CHAPTER 13: A NEW INTEREST IN LIFE Anne enters, her hair grown out. Considerable time has passed. She sits at her school desk and begins to write a note. Gilbert and the ensemble sing its contents... ANNE My Dearest Diana... GILBERT WE DON’T KNOW WHAT WE DO... OH MY DIANA THIS MUCH I KNOW IS TRUE I NEVER MEANT TO RUIN YOU. GILBERT & ENSEMBLE WE DON’T KNOW WHO WE WOUND... OH MY DIANA IT HAPPENS ALL TOO SOON THE WORLD CAN CHANGE IN AN AFTERNOON. DIANA, PLEASE... FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME... OR SET ME FREE... FORGET ME... OR LET ME RUN AWAY... AND PRETEND I NEVER KNEW YOUR NAME. IF IT CAN’T BE LIKE IT WAS BACK THEN, I ONLY HAVE MYSELF TO BLAME. DIANA, PLEASE... FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME... OR LET ME GO... YOU KNOW ME, SO SHOW ME YOU DON’T CARE, AND I’LL HIDE MY SELF AWAY... Diana has entered, reading the copy of “Romeo & Juliet” that Anne gave her. Seeing Diana, Anne leaves her desk. She doesn’t dare approach Diana, but the two connect from a distance... ANNE IN A LONG FORGOTTEN CAVE... DIANA ON AN ISLAND OUT AT SEA... ANNE & DIANA OR, IN THE DARKNESS OF THE FOREST LET ME DIE AMONG THE TREES... ANNE DIANA PLEASE... Diana exits. Anne watches her go. 3/6/18 60.

ENSEMBLE WE DON’T KNOW WHO WE CHOOSE... OH MY DIANA WE LOVE AND THEN WE LOSE - ANOTHER BREAK ANOTHER BRUISE. WE DON’T KNOW WHY WE FALL... OH, MY DIANA THE CHANCES WERE SO SMALL... WE NEVER SHOULD HAVE MET AT ALL... Gilbert, unseen by Anne, has entered the schoolhouse, and spotted the note on his and Anne’s desk. He reads it... GILBERT NOTHING THAT YOU SAY OR DO COULD EVER MAKE ME TURN FROM YOU UNLESS, OF COURSE, YOU ASK ME TO... ENSEMBLE YOU ASK ME TO... GILBERT DON’T ASK ME TO... ENSEMBLE PLEASE DON’T ASK ME TO... Anne grabs the note from Gilbert’s hand, enraged. ANNE How dare you! What gives you the right to read someone’s private note! GILBERT I wasn’t - I mean - I didn’t - I mean - please don’t hit me. Miss Stacey enters. MISS STACEY Anne Shirley! Gilbert Blythe! What’s going on here? ANNE GILBERT Nothing. I was just - we Nothing, Miss Stacey. We were - studying. That’s were just studying. right. We were studying. Miss Stacey takes the note from Anne. She glances at it. She puts it in her pocket and hands Gilbert and Anne pamphlets. GILBERT (CONT’D) What are these? 3/6/18 61.

MISS STACEY Applications for a scholarship - a partial scholarship, to Queens. ANNE The teaching college? MISS STACEY Your grades more than qualify you both. You, and several others in the class - Charlie, Josie, Diana- ANNE Diana? MISS STACEY I’m assuming you both intend on competing? ANNE GILBERT I don’t know, I hadn’t even- Yes! yes! Of course. MISS STACEY Good. Then get those back to me by the end of the week. ANNE GILBERT Yes, Miss Stacey. Thank you. Gilbert exits, Anne goes to follow, then- MISS STACEY Oh, Anne. (handing a book to her) Diana asked me to return this to you. She loved it. ANNE Her mother says I’m a bad influence on her. MISS STACEY Her grades say differently. ANNE Diana and I at Queens together; I can hardly imagine. We used to promise each other that we would never marry. We’d just become old maids and live together forever. I never believed her promises though - Diana’s too beautiful not to get married. Me on the other hand... Miss Stacey, you’re a smart, sophisticated woman. Why didn’t you ever get married? MISS STACEY Because I’m a smart, sophisticated woman. “Love, honor, and obey?” Obedience is for the dogs. Women like us - like you and I - we are the disobedient! We are the discontent! And, we are the not-so-distant future. 3/6/18 62.

Miss Stacey hands Anne back her note and exits. Anne folds the piece of paper into a plane and sails it off stage... ANNE DIANA, PLEASE... Lighting shift - the kitchen of Green Gables. Rachel and Marilla sit drinking tea, Matthew smokes his pipe and reads his paper. CHAPTER 14: MATTHEW CUTHBERT INSISTS ON PUFF SLEEVES RACHEL A teacher?! MATTHEW That would be something, wouldn’t it? RACHEL It would be something all right. MARILLA College? ANNE The trustees award the scholarship at the spring concert. All the students competing are required to perform. RACHEL Perform?! Like what? Like some hoochi-coochi girl in a Paris review?! I mean, performances! Colleges! Honestly, Marilla, it’s complete anarchy! That Miss Stacey woman! We’ve never had a female teacher in Avonlea before, and I can’t help but think it’s a dangerous innovation. ANNE Oh, Marilla do you think you could make me a new dress, for the competition? MARILLA ANNE (CONT'D) I don’t think- Something lacy and white! With puffed sleeves! RACHEL Puffed sleeves?! ANNE I’m planning to recite Elaine, The Lily Maid of Astolat, and I firmly believe Elaine would have had puffed sleeves. Don’t you? MARILLA No. 3/6/18 63.

ANNE Matthew? MATTHEW Yes. I mean, no. I mean, maybe? MARILLA No. No puffed sleeves, no competition, no college! ANNE What? MARILLA You can’t leave. You just can’t - We need you here. It’s simple as that. We can’t run this place forever on our own. Did you think of that? Did you? ANNE No. I’m sorry, I didn’t think - MARILLA You never do. You just dream, pretend. MATTHEW Marilla- MARILLA Well, it’s time you start living in the real world. We need you here. You belong here. So, you’ll stay. That’s final. Marilla exits. Rachel and Matthew follow. ANNE RACHEL LYNDE MADE THE CHOICE TO MARRY WELL... MISS STACEY CHOSE COLLEGE AND CAREER... MARILLA CHOSE WHATEVER SHE CHOSE, AND WHY SHE CHOSE IT - HEAVEN KNOWS?! AND, NOW, DIANA, OH, MY DIANA... OUR CHOICE IS DRAWING NEAR... ALL I EVER WANTED WAS HOME... ALL I EVER DREAMED OF WAS HOME... SO, IS IT WRONG TO DREAM OF LEAVING HERE... I’VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO IMAGINE ANYTHING... BIG OR SMALL ANY GREAT ADVENTURE, ANY HAPPY ENDING... ANYTHING AT ALL MAYBE IT’S JUST A PART OF GROWING OLDER, BUT EVERY DREAM COMES WITH A PRICE TAG THESE DAYS. NO MATTER HOW I CHOOSE, EITHER WAY, I LOSE... GO...? STAY...? 3/6/18 64.

IN MY MIND I CAN FLY TO THE STARS IN THE SKY - GO ON TRY ME... BUT IN THE END IT’S ALL PRETEND IN MY DREAMS I CAN SEE EVERYTHING I COULD BE - FREE AND EASY... BUT THERE AGAIN, IT’S ALL PRETEND I CANNOT KNOW WHERE MY STORY WILL GO... OR WHAT WAITS AROUND THE BEND... SO, I PRETEND Lighting shift - Matthew enters the Avonlea General Store. He immediately focuses on a mannequin dressed in a lace white gown with enormous puffed sleeves. He examines it... MATTHEW Puffy sleeves. A female store clerk, Lucilla Harris, startles him... LUCILLA What can I do for you this afternoon, Mr. Cuthbert? MATTHEW Oh, ah, well, have you any — any snow shovels? LUCILLA Snow shovels? In May? MATTHEW I meant - ah - hayseed. LUCILLA We only carry hayseed in the early spring, Mr. Cuthbert. MATTHEW Sugar? LUCILLA Sugar. MATTHEW That ain’t seasonal, is it? LUCILLA White or brown? MATTHEW Brown? LUCILLA How much? 3/6/18 65.

MATTHEW Um, uh, twenty pounds? LUCILLA Twenty pounds?! Right away! Lucilla exits. Rachel has entered and overheard... RACHEL Matthew Cuthbert! That dress isn’t going to buy itself! MATTHEW I wasn’t - I mean - I didn’t - I was just - RACHEL Never send a man to do a woman’s work. (to Lucilla) Excuse me! Lucilla, darling! Matthew would like to purchase that dress there, in the window, the white lace one with the puffed sleeves- MATTHEW For Anne! It’s for Anne! RACHEL And, add a blue ribbon to the waist. Blue goes nice with red. And, please be quick about it, before he buys up half the store. Twenty pounds of brown sugar, honestly. Lucilla packages the dress for Matthew. Light shift... ANNE I’VE ALWAYS WANTED A LOVE LIKE I’VE READ ABOUT... A GREAT ROMANCE BUT, I ALSO LONG FOR MY OWN ADVENTURES... THIS COULD BE MY CHANCE, AND, WHAT OF ALL MY TALK OF HOME AND FAMILY? WAS THAT REALLY HOW I FEEL OR MERELY SHOW? MY FUTURE’S DRAWING NEAR, BUT THE ANSWER ISN’T CLEAR... STAY...? GO...? IN MY DREAMS I CAN CHOOSE EITHER PATH AND NOT LOSE ALL I’M LEAVING BUT, IN THE END, IT’S ALL PRETEND IN MY MIND THERE’S NO COST, ONLY GAINS, NOTHING LOST - IT’S EXHAUSTING! AND THERE AGAIN, IT’S ALL PRETEND... CAN I BE A LOVER? A FRIEND, A MOTHER? HAVE MY OWN CAREER WHILE REMAINING RIGHT HERE? 3/6/18 66.

CAN WE REALLY HAVE IT ALL, EVERYTHING THAT WE INTEND? OR IN THE END... IS THAT JUST PRETEND? Matthew and Rachel exit with the dress in hand, as they cross in front of Anne, she is magically in the gown- ANNE (CONT’D) IN MY MIND, I CONFESS, ALL MY THOUGHTS ARE A MESS - IT’S DEPRESSING! WHEN DOES IT END? I CANNOT KNOW - SHOULD I STAY? COULD I GO? OR WHAT WAITS AROUND THE BEND... AND I CAN’T PRETEND! CHAPTER 15: AN UNFORTUNATE LILY MAID Anne stands near large a pond, beside a small boat, with a book in her hand. Ruby, Prissy and Moody enter, and notice her dress. PRISSY Oh, Anne! It’s beautiful! ANNE Matthew bought it for me, for the scholarship competition tonight. MOODY So, you’re really going to college then? ANNE I don’t know if I’m going or not; I just know I can’t let Gilbert Blythe beat me. PRISSY Puffy sleeves! I’ve always wanted puffy sleeves! You look- RUBY Like you could fly to China. MOODY Ruby! RUBY Well, she does. I’m hungry. Why we’re acting this out again, Anne? ANNE I need to experience what Elaine experienced in that boat on her way down to Camelot. So I can properly convey it to the trustees tonight. 3/6/18 67.

MOODY I thought she was dead in the boat? ANNE She was. PRISSY Oh, Anne you’re not gonna die in the boat, are you?! RUBY Can we get lunch? ANNE Prissy, when the dory reaches the other side, you’ll play King Arthur, Ruby will be Guinevere, and Moody you’ll be Lancelot- (re: their disappointment) What? Fine! Moody, you can be Guinevere, and Ruby can be Lancelot - but for now you’re my kin folk pushing me off to my watery grave. (climbing into the boat) So... push me off to my watery grave. Honestly, this is when I miss Diana most of all. They push off the flat. In another area, Diana appears doing needlepoint. Anne’s paper airplane lands at her feet. She unfolds it and reads - a smile. Mrs. Barry enters. MRS. BARRY What’s that you’re looking at? DIANA Nothing. Mrs. Barry takes the note and reads it. MRS. BARRY You’re supposed to be practicing your needlepoint. DIANA Yes, ma’am. I was just thinking - MRS. BARRY Don’t think, Diana. It doesn’t suit you. Anne Shirley is vulgar and common - she’ll end up a spinster just like Marilla Cuthbert before her. Is that what you want? Don’t you want to get married someday? (Diana nods, obediently) Then less thinking more sewing. Diana returns to her needlepoint. Back at the pond... 3/6/18 68.

ANNE 'Most noble lord, Sir Lancelot of the Lake, I, sometime called the maid of Astolat, Come, for you left me taking no farewell, Hither, to take my last farewell of you. I loved you, and my love had no return, And therefore my true love has been my... my... death...? (re: boat leaking) What’s-? Oh, no! No! NO! NO! Oh, no! Please! Help! Help! I’m sinking! Please! Someone! Help! Anne tries to bilge the water from the boat, but it’s no use, the boat sinks. She grabs onto a log that sticks out of the water. Several moments pass, as Anne desperately looks for a way to escape her predicament. Then... GILBERT (OFF) Anne Shirley! Gilbert Blythe comes paddling on in a small boat. GILBERT (CONT’D) Well, I’ve heard of being up the crick without a paddle - but never without a boat. ANNE I was - we were - I was - fishing? GILBERT Fishing. ANNE Yes. And, well, my boat sprang a leak, and I climbed out on this log and- GILBERT Do you need any help? ANNE No. No, I’m perfectly fine. GILBERT Are you though? Anne, let me help you. Please. ANNE If you insist. Anne gets into his boat. GILBERT There, see, isn’t that- Anne turns away from Gilbert, giving him the cold shoulder. Gilbert begins to row, after a few moments... 3/6/18 69.

GILBERT (CONT’D) 'Most noble lord, Sir Lancelot of the Lake, I, sometime called the maid of Astolat - ANNE You - ! GILBERT ANNE (CONT'D) I loved you, and my love had You were spying on me! no return... GILBERT Oh, come on, Anne. I’m only teasing. Anne, look - I NEVER MEANT TO HURT YOU. I DIDN’T MEAN TO MAKE YOU CRY. WE WERE YOUNG. I WAS STUPID. AND I DIDN’T KNOW THAT I... WAS SAYING SOMETHING SO UNFORGIVABLE, OR DOING SOMETHING I COULDN’T UNDO. IF I HAD KNOWN, I’D NEVER HAVE SAID THE THINGS I SAID TO YOU. ANNE, I’D NEVER DO A THING TO INJURE YOU. ANNE If you’ll kindly let me off on the shore. The girls will be terrified. Mr. Blythe - GILBERT I WANNA KNOW WHY THE TIDE PULLS AWAY FROM THE SAND AND WHY IT COMES BACK AGAIN I WANNA KNOW HOW THE PLANETS AND STARS STAY ALIGNED AND HOW IT ALL BEGAN I WANNA LEARN WHY CERTAIN NUMBERS CAN'T BE DIVIDED I WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ATOMS ARE COLLIDED THERE'S SO MANY THOUGHTS AND THEORIES I COULD SHOW YOU BUT THE GREATEST QUEST OR QUERY IS TO KNOW YOU I WANNA KNOW YOU... ANNE Gil- They’ve reached the shore. Moody and Ruby enter. MOODY Oh Anne! We thought you were drowned and we felt like murderers because we had pushed you out to sea. ANNE It’s a pond, Moody. Really, what’s the worst that could have happened? 3/6/18 70.

RUBY Prissy is in hysterics! How did you - ? Oh, hello, Gilbert. MOODY Anne! Did he rescue - ? ANNE Thank you, Mr. Blythe, for your assistance. GILBERT ANNE (CONT'D) Anne - Thank you. Anne, Ruby and Moody leave Gilbert at the water’s edge. MOODY It’s so romantic! Of course you'll speak to him now- ANNE Of course I won’t! And I don’t want to hear the words “romantic” and “Gilbert Blythe” in the same sentence ever again! Understood? Oh, my dress! RUBY Those sleeves aren’t so puffy anymore. MOODY We better go find Prissy - she was positively apoplectic when we left her. ANNE You go ahead. I have to face Matthew and Marilla. Ruby and Moody exit. Anne glances back at Gilbert, then exits. GILBERT I WANNA KNOW EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE BEEN EVERYTHING YOU'LL BE I WANNA LEARN EVERY LASH OF YOUR EYE EVERY INCH OF YOUR SKIN EACH BENDED KNEE I WANNA LEARN EACH CELL AND ALL THE SECRETS THAT COMPRISE YOU OH, I'LL STUDY WELL UNTIL I MEMORIZE YOU THERE’S SO MANY THOUGHTS AND THEORIES I COULD SHOW YOU BUT MY GREATEST QUEST OR QUERY IS TO KNOW YOU I WANNA KNOW YOU LIKE A BOOK THAT I’VE READ WHILE I’M LYING IN BED I WILL HOLD YOU, UNFOLD YOU, AND ALL THAT YOU’VE SAID 3/6/18 71.

THERE IS SOMETHING IN YOU I CAN’T HELP BUT PURSUE SOMETHING I WISH I KNEW... I WANNA KNOW WHY THE TIDE PULLS AWAY FROM THE SAND... I WANNA KNOW HOW THE PLANETS AND STARS STAY ALIGNED... I WANNA KNOW YOU Lighting shift - Anne sneaks around the outside of Green Gables. In the kitchen, Marilla and Rachel sit shoveling brown sugar into countless containers. Matthew enters, dressed in a suit. MARILLA Twenty pounds of brown sugar. MATTHEW She needed that dress for the competition- MARILLA She didn’t need it. MATTHEW Well, I wanted her to have it. You’re not dressed. MARILLA I’m not going. I don’t want any part in this fool’s errand. RACHEL Quite right! College is for men. This educating women nonsense is a novelty. Nothing more. It will pass. (re: their expressions, at her attire) What? Well, a social occasion is a social occasion. People would be disappointed if I didn’t show. And, you know how I hate to disappoint the people. MATTHEW (to Marilla:) Don’t do this- MARILLA It’s a partial scholarship, Matthew. MATTHEW So? MARILLA So, even if she wins, we can’t afford the remaining tuition. MARILLA (CONT’D) MATTHEW You may want to ignore that That’s not why you’re- fact, but that’s the plain and simple truth. 3/6/18 72.

MATTHEW (CONT’D) The truth is you’re afraid she’ll leave Green Gables and never come back, just like everyone else you pushed away! An awkward moment. RACHEL Well, it’s been a lovely evening, but I should probably be- (spotting Anne:) Oh, no. ANNE Matthew, Marilla I would ask your forgiveness, but I’m unworthy of it. MARILLA Spare us the histrionics, and just tell us what happened. ANNE I was practicing my recitation on the pond, like Elaine, sailing down to Camelot. And as I whispered the final stanza of that beautiful poem, the boat sank. I know I promised not to touch the dress until the competition tonight, but the temptation was simply too great. Oh, Matthew, if you could have only seen what this elegant gossamer fabric looked like floating in the breeze. I can’t begin to imagine the disappointment you must feel, but if it is any consolation, know that I - I - I am in the depths of despair. Anne sobs. A moment. Matthew and Rachel begin to cackle. Anne is bewildered. ANNE (CONT’D) I had anticipated a slightly different reaction. MARILLA Oh, you will be the death of us all. MATTHEW With all those fancy words of yours, you sound like you already been to college. MARILLA Go, get out of those wet clothes. You should eat something before the competition. ANNE What are we having? MARILLA Ham glazed in brown sugar, with sweet potatoes and brown sugar. Follow by a brown sugar cake and brown sugar cookies, both frosted in brown sugar. 3/6/18 73.

Marilla and Rachel exit with containers of brown sugar in hand. ANNE I heard her. About the cost. I didn’t even think - MATTHEW And you shouldn’t. ANNE I’m so sorry about the dress. How can I ever make it up to you? MATTHEW By winning that scholarship. You didn’t have a foot in the door here before I knew you were just passing through. So, you go to that competition, win that scholarship, and show that Blythe fella what our little girl can do - no puffy sleeves required. Anne hugs Matthew. He exits. Lighting shift. ANNE CAN WE REALLY HAVE IT ALL - EVERYTHING THAT WE INTEND? OR IN THE END... CHAPTER 16: MISS STACY AND HER PUPILS GET UP A CONCERT The stage of the concert hall. Miss Stacey enters, applause... MISS STACEY Wasn’t she magnificent? That was Anne Shirley performing Elaine of Astolat... Lighting shift - Anne is backstage with Prissy, Moody, and Ruby. Gilbert stands on the opposite side of the stage. PRISSY MOODY Anne! You were wonderful. I That was incredible. I cried cried. You made me cry. more though. You made me cry even more than her. RUBY I didn’t cry. PRISSY You’ll win for certain, Anne! ANNE Really? You think so? MOODY Absolutely! 3/6/18 74.

PRISSY Shhh! Miss Stacey is announcing the winner now! MISS STACEY And the winner of the Avery Scholarship is... RUBY Imagine if Gilbert Blythe won! MISS STACEY Gilbert Blythe! Lighting shift - a crash of loud music. In Anne’s imagination, Gilbert is seen accepting the award on stage as, backstage... ANNE FOREVER! I WILL HATE YOU FOREVER! FOREVER! AND EVER! AND EVER! AND - RUBY Anne! Anne! Lighting shift. Back in reality: RUBY (CONT’D) You won! Anne, you won! Anne takes the stage, applause is heard. Miss Stacey hands her the award. The world spins around her for a glorious moment. Once again backstage, Matthew enters. He and Anne embrace. MATTHEW That’s my girl! You were good. You were so good! ANNE Thank you, Matthew! I was so nervous but... (re: Marilla) She didn’t come. Rachel enters. RACHEL Anne Shirley! Your performance was the most vulgar, unladylike, hedonistic display I have ever seen in Avonlea! (whispered to Anne) And I loved every minute of it. (exiting...) Trash! Vulgar, vile, trash! MATTHEW There is someone else waiting to see you... Diana enters. 3/6/18 75.

ANNE Diana! DIANA Congratulations, Anne. ANNE You’re talking to me? DIANA Shhh! Don’t tell! Mother is visiting Aunt Josephine in Charlottetown. ANNE Why don’t you stand up to her? DIANA Have you met my mother?! MATTHEW I’ll give you girls a minute. Matthew exits. CHAPTER 17: A QUEEN’S GIRL DIANA You really were wonderful. ANNE So were you! Who would have thought, when we first met, that someday you’d be up on stage reciting Shakespeare? DIANA Not me! But, you know, after you get used to it, Shakespeare is a lot like English. ANNE Absolutely. I thought for sure Gilbert was going to win. DIANA Oh! I know! His Romeo! That boy could climb my balcony any day. ANNE Diana! DIANA Oh, you were thinking the same thing! ANNE I was not. 3/6/18 76.

DIANA “Gilbert, O Gilbert! Wherefore art thou Gilbert?” (re: Anne’s expression) What?! I don’t know why you won’t just come out and say you fancy him. ANNE Because I don’t fancy him. DIANA The lady doth protest too much, me thinks! That’s Shakespeare too. DIANA (CONT’D) ANNE Hamlet. I know. But, I don’t fancy him. DIANA Well, he fancies you. ANNE Gilbert Blythe fancies Gilbert Blythe! He is the most unromantic person I’ve ever met. And, even if I did fancy him, which I don’t, I want a love story like I’ve read about, and Gil is... Gilbert is... DIANA What? What is he? What is he not? SO, HE WON’T PLAY THAT MONTAGUE KID TO YOUR JULIET? WELL, THAT’S ALRIGHT FOR YOU, KID ANNE, DON’T FORGET - JULIET AND WHAT’S-HIS-FACE - ? ANNE Romeo. DIANA I know. STARTED WITH A WARM EMBRACE... ANNE And? DIANA AND ENDED BLEEDING OUT ALL OVER THE PLACE AND THEY’RE DEAD, ANNE THEY’RE BOTH DEAD THANK GOODNESS LOVE IS NOTHING LIKE THE STORIES THAT YOU’VE READ LOVE IS QUIET, LOVE IS PURE AND IF IT’S REAL IT WILL ENDURE SO, SHAKE ALL OF THOSE SONNETS FROM YOUR HEAD ‘CAUSE IF YOUR PRIMARY CRITERION 3/6/18 77.

IS THAT LOVE FEEL ALL SHAKESPEAREAN THEN CHANCES ARE, ANNE YOU’LL WIND UP DEAD ANNE I don’t even know why we’re talking about this? DIANA Because you love him! ANNE I loathe him. DIANA Same thing. SO, CLEOPATRA AND MARK ANTONY YOU TWO ARE NOT BUT READ ACT FIVE, ANNE, AND CONSIDER THE PLOT... THEIR LOVE IS CURTAILED ONCE EGYPT IS ASSAILED AND CLEOPATRA KILLS HERSELF AFTER ANTONY’S IMPALED AND THEY’RE DEAD, ANNE THEY’RE BOTH DEAD THANK GOODNESS LOVE IS NOTHING LIKE THAT SHAKESPEARE FELLOW SAID LOVE IS NOT ALL BLOOD AND DEATH IT’S NOT OTHELLO OR MACBETH IF IT WERE - THEN NO ONE WOULD GET WED LOOK! LOVE WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE SOME ELIZABETHAN TRAGEDY IF IT WERE WE’D ALL BE - DON’T YOU THINK YOU’VE PUNISHED HIM ENOUGH, ANNE? DON’T YOU THINK HE’S PAID FOR ALL HIS SINS? MAYBE THIS IS WHERE THE PAST IS BURIED AND THE FUTURE FINALLY BEGINS NOW THAT QUEEN’S COLLEGE IS WAITING PERHAPS IT’S TIME TO SEE WHAT YOU AND GILBERT COULD BE... AT THE VERY LEAST A FRIEND AFTER ALL YOU’LL NEED A FRIEND THERE ONCE YOU’RE FAR FROM AVONLEA... AND ME ANNE What are you talking about? DIANA Father and mother won’t be sending me to college. They think it’s best I stay here and find a suitable husband. ANNE That’s absurd. You have to go. 3/6/18 78.

DIANA Anne, I’m hardly what most people would think of as a ‘Queen’s girl.’ ANNE Diana Barry, you are the single most beautiful, kind, loving- DIANA Exactly. I’m beautiful. And, I can be beautiful right here in Avonlea. With the right husband and- ANNE No- DIANA Anne, you said it yourself - beautiful... not smart. ANNE DIANA (CONT'D) You’re incredibly smart, - not studious, or clever. Diana. You’re scared! That’s I’ve always been beautiful, what the problem is! You’re and perhaps- scared! DIANA (CONT’D) I’m not like you, Anne! I’m not like you. ANNE You could be. DIANA No. I can’t. A long moment. ANNE What would I do there without you? DIANA Be brilliant. Like always. So... ANNE So... DIANA SO, DESDAMONA, JULIET AND OPHEILA TOO... THEY GOT IT WRONG AND BEFORE TOO LONG SO COULD YOU... HE WON’T WAIT FOR YOU FOREVER! HE’S FAR TOO CHARMING AND TOO CLEVER! NOT TO MENTION HANDSOME, FUNNY, INTELLIGENT - AND SMART! A BRILLIANT CONVERSATIONALIST, AND THAT’S JUST FOR A START! HE’S CHIVALROUS AND COURTEOUS AND INCREDIBLY WELL BRED... 3/6/18 79.

DID I MENTION HANDSOME? ‘CAUSE GOD HE’S HANDSOME... THAT BOY IS HANDSOME! SO FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE, ANNE GIVE THE BOY A BREAK, ANNE BEFORE YOU BOTH ARE DEAD! Lighting shift - Avonlea Schoolhouse. Gilbert sits studying. Miss Stacey enters. CHAPTER 18: THE GLORY AND THE DREAM MISS STACEY Mr. Blythe?! You’re here awfully early this morning. GILBERT Oh, I was just getting a head start. For finals. My father was upset, after the scholarship competition - that I got beat by a... MISS STACEY A girl? GILBERT No. Yes. MISS STACEY And, are you upset by that? GILBERT No. Yes. No! I’m upset that I got beat by Anne! No! No! No! No! I’m not upset! I mean, I’m upset I got beat, but I’m happy for her. I’m happy! I’m so happy for her! I mean, competition is good. It’s healthy! It’s really, really healthy! But, you know, no matter what I do she’s just - she’s always just - I mean, you see her Miss Stacey - you know how she is - oh, I’m sorry - I know you’re her teacher and you’re not allowed to take sides - but she’s smug - you have to admit she’s smug - she’s always like “Mr. Blythe this! Mr. Blythe that!” Or, even worse, just, you know, ignoring me completely. And, I am not threatened by her intelligence! I like that she’s smart! I find it really - well, never-mind - my point is - I just - I don’t understand why we can’t - you know - because, I mean, she’s top of the class, then I’m top of the class, then she’s top, then - it makes sense that we would be - and for the record, I like red hair! I have always liked red hair - I think it’s pretty! So... Oh, God. Rachel Lynde appears at the door of the schoolhouse with Moody. She holds him firmly by the ear. 3/6/18 80.

RACHEL Miss Stacey! I have been violated! And I hold you solely responsible! MISS STACEY Mrs. Lynde?! Moody? MOODY This is not comfortable. Rachel tightens her grip on his ear. GILBERT (skyward:) Thank you! MISS STACEY Gilbert, could we have a moment? GILBERT Gladly. MISS STACEY Mrs. Lynde, what seems to be the problem? RACHEL The problem seems to be that you’re raising a troop of monkeys as opposed to students! MISS STACEY Monkeys? RACHEL Yes, monkeys! I found this little chimpanzee molesting my beautiful sugar maple. MOODY I was only trying to retrieve a bird’s nest - to bring to class. RACHEL A bird’s nest, my foot! I caught him swinging, branch to branch, like he was a regular orangutan! MISS STACEY Moody, run along - Moody exits. RACHEL Miss Stacey! My sugar maple has been defiled, and I expect there to be appropriate repercussions! 3/6/18 81.

MISS STACEY I understand, Mrs. Lynde! And, in the future, I assure you my monkeys will not fondle your foliage or encroach upon your immaculate shrubbery. But, if you bring this inane prattle into my schoolhouse ever again, I will personally come down to that beautiful house of yours and pull that precious sugar maple out of the ground with my bare hands. Root by root! RACHEL Oh, I like you. MISS STACEY What? RACHEL If Queen’s College can make more women like you, perhaps Anne ought to attend. MISS STACEY You are positively insane. RACHEL I’m passionate! But, we have a deal. You keep your students out of my trees, and I’ll keep out of your classroom. MISS STACEY Fine. RACHEL Fine. Good-day, Miss Stacey. Rachel starts to exit. MISS STACEY Anne isn’t going to Queen’s. Lighting shift. Later. Rachel has tracked down Anne- RACHEL Not going?! ANNE How did you know that? RACHEL I know everything. ANNE I thought you’d be happy. You always say educating girls is ridiculous. 3/6/18 82.

RACHEL Educating girls is ridiculous. But, I’ve always thought you were a ridiculous girl. Why aren’t you going? ANNE I’m not smart enough. RACHEL Nonsense. ANNE I don’t want to. RACHEL You’re too young to know what you want. Here - let me tell you - ANNE I can’t believe this! You, of all people, want me to go? RACHEL Of course not! What do I look like? Some bohemian radical? I would never promote such nonsense. No, if it’s encouragement you’re looking for, Anne Shirley, you best find it elsewhere. (a moment) But, if I were to entertain such frivolity, which I don’t, but if I did, I might say something vaguely inspirational like - MAKE A MOVE MAKE A MESS MAKE A MISTAKE AND IF IT BREAKS YOUR HEART THEN LET IT BREAK LIFE GOES ON AND ALWAYS WILL, DON’T GET STUCK HERE STANDING STILL MAKE A MOVE AND TAKE SOME CHANCES CHOOSE TO CHANGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES LIFE IS ALL ABOUT THE MESSES THAT WE MAKE SO FOR HEAVEN SAKES GO MAKE A FEW MISTAKES ANNE IF ANYONE CAN MAKE A MESS - IT’S ME! RACHEL Oh, I know. ANNE I’M A WALKING TALKING LESSON IN CATASTROPHE I’M A TORNADO, I’M A CURSE I’M LIKE THE PLAGUE BUT ONLY WORSE OH, I KNOW ABOUT DISASTER! YOU NEED POINTERS? 3/6/18 83.

I’M THE MASTER! THOUGH I APPRECIATE YOUR SENTIMENT, I DO - I WOULD ONLY END UP DISAPPOINTING YOU. RACHEL SO, THAT’S IT THEN? YOU’RE SET TO STAY IN THIS LITTLE TOWN? WITH THESE LITTLE PEOPLE WITH THEIR LITTLE MINDS AND VOICES... THERE’LL COME A DAY WHEN YOU WAKE UP AND LOOK AROUND TO FIND YOU’VE THROWN AWAY YOUR DREAMS AND ALL YOUR CHOICES. TOO QUICKLY “WHAT COULD BE” BECOMES “WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN” REPEATING CYCLICALLY TILL “HERE AND NOW” BECOMES “REMEMBER WHEN” MAKE A MOVE MAKE A MESS MAKE A MISTAKE WHO SAID THAT LIFE IS EASY? IT IS NOT A PIECE OF CAKE! BUT, YOU’VE GOT DREAMS - SO, SHAKE A LEG! AND TELL YOUR CYNICS TO GO SUCK AN EGG! ALL THE THINGS THAT TEND TO SCARE US, IN THE END, OFTEN PREPARE US, TO LEAVE THOSE DISBELIEVERS IN OUR WAKES, AS WE STUMBLE FORTH AND MAKE A FEW MISTAKES! ANNE Queen’s College is expensive. RACHEL You have a scholarship. ANNE It only pays half the tuition. I can’t ask Matthew and Marilla to sacrifice that kind of money- RACHEL Money?! Listen to me, Anne Shirley, don’t you worry about money. Money can be got. If you want to go, then you go. Thomas and I have always done well enough and we’ll see to helping Matthew and Marilla. ANNE I can’t ask that of you- RACHEL You didn’t ask, I offered. 3/6/18 84.

ANNE That’s crazy. RACHEL That’s family. Besides, money’s not so special. They’re printing more and more of it everyday. ANNE Diana’s not going. RACHEL Diana’s not you. ANNE Marilla wants me to stay. RACHEL No. Marilla doesn’t want you to leave. There’s a difference. ANNE Why are you encouraging me? RACHEL I’m not encouraging! I’m merely facilitating. And don’t you go telling everyone about this, Anne Shirley. People will start to think I’ve become a raging liberal. I have a reputation to uphold. But, even the most pragmatic Christian women, perhaps, at one time, long ago, may have been just... ridiculous girls themselves. ANNE MAKE A MOVE... MAKE A MESS... MAKE A MISTAKE... RACHEL THE ONLY TRUE MISTAKE IS ANY CHANCE YOU FAIL TO TAKE... ANNE AND IF IT BREAKS YOUR HEART... RACHEL IF IT BREAKS YOUR HEART... ANNE THEN LET IT BREAK... RACHEL THE ONLY WAY YOU TRULY LOSE... IS IF YOUR CHOICE IS NOT TO CHOOSE... 3/6/18 85.

BOTH LIFE GOES ON AND ALWAYS WILL DON’T GET STUCK HERE STANDING STILL MAKE A MOVE AND TAKE SOME CHANCES CHOOSE TO CHANGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES LIFE IS ALL ABOUT THE MESSES THAT WE MAKE SO FOR HEAVEN SAKES GO MAKE A FEW MISTAKES Lighting shift. Marilla enters Anne’s room. She has cleaned the white lace dress; she places it on the bed. She tidies the room and discovers the green stained pillow - it stirs a mixture of laughter and tears. Matthew enters. MATTHEW You all right? MARILLA I suppose she told you then? MATTHEW Seems we’re running out of excuses to keep her here. MARILLA I do want her to go, you know? MATTHEW I know. A moment. Matthew starts to exit... MARILLA Matthew - ? Do you ever wonder if it all could have been different? MATTHEW Sometimes. But, how lucky are we that it wasn’t. Matthew exits. Lighting shift. The Carmody train station. The platform is bustling with students leaving for school and their families. Various conversations are heard across the platform... ALL MAKE A MOVE... JOHN BLYTHE You’re to focus on your studies, and only your studies. None of that fooling around nonsense, like the last time. I expect only excellence, and a first rate teaching apprenticeship come the spring. GILBERT Yes, sir. 3/6/18 86.

ALL MAKE A MESS... MISS STACEY How did you convince her to go? RACHEL I haven’t the foggiest idea what you’re talking about. MISS STACEY I think you do. RACHEL What you think is of little concern to me Miss Stacey, and I am far too busy to waste my time thinking about you. MISS STACEY Oh, I like you. ALL MAKE A MISTAKE... MATTHEW You have everything now? You’re sure now? ANNE I’m sure. MARILLA Be safe. MATTHEW Study hard. MARILLA Remember to write us. MATTHEW Write us a lot. MARILLA And, please, no broken slates this time. ALL AND IF IT BREAKS YOUR HEART... JOHN BLYTHE Marilla Cuthbert. MARILLA John. ALL THEN LET IT BREAK... 3/6/18 87.

JOHN BLYTHE I just wanted to congratulate you, Anne, on the scholarship. Hard fought and well deserved. Isn’t that right, Gil? GILBERT Yes. Congratulations, Anne. Anne actively ignores him. MARILLA Anne, you’re being rude. GILBERT She’s not being rude. She’s just being Anne. Gilbert exits. JOHN BLYTHE Gilbert! (to Marilla, re: Anne) Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. ALL LIFE GOES ON AND ALWAYS WILL, DON’T GET STUCK STANDING STILL... (a train whistle, chaos:) MAKE A MOVE AND TAKE SOME CHANCES, CHOOSE TO CHANGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES, LIFE IS ALL ABOUT THE MESSES THAT WE MAKE! SO, MAKE A MOVE, MAKE A MESS, MAKE A MISTAKE! Lighting shift. Anne and Gilbert are at Queen’s College... CHAPTER 19: THE WINTER AT QUEEN’S ANNE Dear Matthew and Marilla: GILBERT Dear Father: ANNE & ENSEMBLE IF YOU COULD SEE GILBERT & ENSEMBLE IF YOU COULD SEE ANNE QUEEN’S IS EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING... GILBERT IT’S EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING 3/6/18 88.

BOTH I WISHED THAT IT WOULD BE ANNE I STUDY HARD GILBERT I’M WORKING HARD ANNE WE’RE LEARNING CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY GILBERT LITERATURE AND MATH ANNE I STILL HATE MATH GILBERT I’M LOVING MATH! ANNE BUT I’LL LEARN IT JUST THE SAME Lighting shift - Anne and Gilbert best each other in a montage of responses to various teachers: GILBERT An isosceles triangle consists of two equal sides and two equal angles. ANNE Iambic pentameter refers to a line of verse consisting of five metrical feet, where each foot consists of an unstressed and a stressed syllable. GILBERT Pi is the numerical value of the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, approximately 3.14169. ANNE I believe Mr. Blythe meant approximately 3.14159. Lighting shift - back in Avonlea: MARILLA THE SEMESTERS FLEW JOHN BLYTHE THE MONTHS WENT BY MARILLA & JOHN BLYTHE AND THEIR LETTERS WERE A THING TO READ 3/6/18 89.

JOHN BLYTHE HE WRITES HOW SHE’S ANNOYING HIM... MARILLA SHE TALKS ABOUT DESTROYING HIM... Lighting shift - back at Queen’s College: ANNE In The Taming of the Shrew, the arrogant misogynist Petruchio is set on a ridiculous challenge to “tame” the fierce, free-thinking, Katherina and turn her into a suitable wife - whatever that means - by Hortensio, Lucentio, and Grumio. GILBERT I believe Miss Shirley meant Gremio not Grumio. That said, I very much agree with her progressive analysis of the text. Time passes at Queen’s - Anne and Gilbert spin around one another: ANNE & GILBERT & ENSEMBLE I WANNA KNOW WHY THE TIDE PULLS AWAY FROM THE SAND AND WHY IT COMES BACK AGAIN! I WANNA KNOW HOW THE PLANETS AND STARS STAY ALIGNED AND HOW IT ALL BEGAN! I WANNA KNOW... I WANNA KNOW... GILBERT Anne Shirley, rumor has it you’re my only competition for the teaching apprenticeship at Avonlea School. ANNE Is that true? That’s what people are saying? Just you and I? Wow! What a relief! A teacher enters with the list of assignments in hand. He goes to post it on the wall as the students swarm... ENSEMBLE I WANNA KNOW! Lighting shift - the kitchen of Green Gables... RACHEL Congratulations! MARILLA Yes, congratulations are in order. You’ve done well. 3/6/18 90.

MATTHEW An apprenticeship at Carmody School! ANNE I wanted Avonlea but the trustees chose Gilbert. Couldn’t it have gone to anyone but Gilbert Blythe? RACHEL Ah, I didn’t know how you’d take that. I wasn’t certain if you still fancied one another. ANNE We do not fancy one another! RACHEL Of course not! Who said you did? Not me! MARILLA Why don’t you go wash up for supper? Matthew will put the mare away, and Rachel and I will start cooking. RACHEL I made a strawberry pie. One hundred percent butter crust. Not any of that lard you see some women sneaking in there. MARILLA I only use butter in my crust, Rachel. RACHEL I know! I know! Of course you do. Rachel and Marilla exit. Matthew starts to head to the barn... ANNE I’ll come with you. Lighting shift - in the barn, Matthew picks up a large bale of hay and falters. ANNE (CONT’D) Here - let me help you. Are you all right? MATTHEW I'm just getting old, Anne, and keep forgetting it. I just need to sit for a minute, that’s all. Matthew and Anne sit together. ANNE If I had been the boy you sent for- MATTHEW I'd rather have you than a dozen boys. You’re my girl — my Anne. And, I’m so, so proud of you. 3/6/18 91.

Matthew rests his head on Anne’s shoulder. Lighting shift - Marilla appears at her vanity. The two scenes overlap for a moment... CHAPTER 20: THE REAPER WHOSE NAME IS DEATH MARILLA A BOY COULD HELP IN THE FIELDS... A BOY CAN REAP AND SEW... A BOY CAN ADD YEARS TO YOUR... ANNE Matthew? Matthew? Matthew?! The lights fade on Anne and Matthew. Marilla is alone, preparing for Matthew’s funeral... MARILLA ALL OF MY LIFE I’VE BEEN STUBBORN AND STRONG I NEVER COULD BEND OR ADMIT I WAS WRONG THE GRUDGES I HAD - I HELD FOR TOO LONG AS THE YEARS WENT BY THE BRIDGES I BURNED AND NEVER REPAIRED LESSONS I LEARNED - NOBODY CARED “TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE” WAS A STATEMENT TOO OFTEN DECLARED BUT MATTHEW UNDERSTOOD ME AS WELL AS ANYONE COULD HE CHOSE TO IGNORE ALL MY OBVIOUS FLAWS AND FOCUS ON THE GOOD MATTHEW WOULD NEVER SHAME ME AND HE’D NEVER ASK ME, “WHY?” “WHY, MARILLA? WHY?” MATTHEW WOULD SIMPLY LOVE ME AS THE YEARS WENT BY WHEN I WAS A CHILD - IMAGINE ME THEN! ALL DREAMY AND WILD! I DOUBT THAT YOU CAN! BACK THEN ALL THE LEARNING WAS LEFT TO THE BOYS AND THE MEN A GIRL LEARNED TO SEW, TO COOK, AND TO CLEAN A BIBLE - THE ONLY BOOK THAT SHE’D SEEN HER JOB WAS TO MARRY SMART AND MARRY WELL SO, I PLAYED MY PART AND INTO LOVE I FELL BUT MATTHEW UNDERSTOOD ME YES, MATTHEW KNEW ME BEST HE KNEW THE BOY I’D MARRY MUST BE A STEP ABOVE THE REST MATTHEW NEVER JUDGED ME 3/6/18 92.

AND HE NEVER ASKED ME, “WHY?” NO, MATTHEW SIMPLY LOVED ME AS THE YEARS WENT BY Marilla is at the cemetery. The entire town of Avonlea has come to Matthew’s funeral. John Blythe enters with Gilbert in tow. Marilla watches him from afar... JOHN WAS A BOY WHO WAS CHARMING AND FUN WE KISSED AND WE QUARRELED - AND KISSED WHEN WE’D DONE AND EVEN THE FIGHTS I LOST, I STILL FELT LIKE I’D WON WE READ ALL THE CLASSICS - DANTE TO BLAKE HE’D TUTOR MY MATH AND CATCH EACH MISTAKE IT FELT LIKE A DREAM, BUT I ALSO FELT NEWLY AWAKE TILL A STARRY SUMMER EVENING THAT WAS DRIPPING WITH ROMANCE PAPER LANTERNS, VIOLINS, AND A DANCE THEN - SOME WORDS WENT UNSPOKEN WHEN - SOME OTHERS SLIPPED THROUGH AND TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE - THERE WAS NOTHING TO SAY OR TO DO HE BEGGED FOR FORGIVENESS BUT I HELD MY STANCE I WAS STUBBORN AND STEADFAST AND THROUGH WITH ROMANCE I LEFT HIM AND THE DANCE WITHOUT A BACKWARD GLANCE BUT AS THE YEARS WENT BY I SOMETIMES WISH THAT I FORGAVE HIM WHEN I HAD THE CHANCE Anne stands beside Marilla at Matthew’s grave. ANNE John? John Blythe? MARILLA People used to call him my beau. ANNE I can’t believe it. MARILLA It’s not that unbelievable. Anyway, it was a long time ago. ANNE So, you've had a bit of romance in your life, after all. MARILLA Anne, I know I’ve been strict with you - but you mustn’t think I didn’t love you as much as Matthew did. It’s never been easy for me to say things from my heart, but... 3/6/18 93.

Anne embraces Marilla. Diana enters. DIANA Anne? ANNE Diana! Anne leaves Marilla and embraces Diana. Marilla gazes around the cemetery - Anne and Diana, Matthew’s casket, John Blythe, all the people of Avonlea - her entire life. MARILLA EVERYONE IN TOWN SAID I WAS CRAZY AND WHO KNOWS? CRAZY I MAY BE BUT CRAZY IS AS CRAZY DOES AND WHO I AM IS NOT WHO I WAS AND THAT’S ‘CAUSE MATTHEW SAW SOMETHING NOBODY COULD SEE... (watching Anne:) MY BROTHER SAW THAT YOU BELONGED WITH ME YES, MATTHEW KNEW ME AS NO ONE COULD I COULD NEVER SEE WHAT MATTHEW UNDERSTOOD HE NEVER JUDGED ME OR ASKED ME “WHY?” “WHY, MARILLA? WHY?” “WHY, MARILLA? WHY?” “WHY?” MATTHEW WOULD SIMPLY LOVE ME MATTHEW SIMPLY LOVED ME MY BROTHER ALWAYS LOVED ME AS THE YEARS WENT BY SO, GOODBYE, LITTLE BROTHER, GOODBYE She places a rose onto Matthew’s casket. In another area... DIANA It was a beautiful service, Anne. ANNE It was, wasn’t it? I’m sorry I haven’t been able to see you since I got back from - Fred Wright enters with Mrs. Barry. FRED Diana? 3/6/18 94.

DIANA Oh, Anne. This is Fred Wright. ANNE Hello. FRED Hello, Anne. I’m sorry we’re meeting under such unfortunate circumstances. MRS. BARRY My condolences as well, Anne. ANNE Thank you. Both. DIANA How are you and Marilla holding up - ? MRS. BARRY We should be going, Diana. DIANA I’m not ready yet. MRS. BARRY Diana - DIANA MRS. BARRY (CONT'D) I said, I’m not ready. Don’t act like a petulant child- DIANA I’m not acting like a child. DIANA (CONT'D) MRS. BARRY I am a grown woman and I’m (to Fred:) staying with Anne. Will you please talk some sense into your fiancé- MRS. BARRY (CONT’D) We are leaving. FRED It’s all right- DIANA MRS. BARRY I will leave when I choose. No, it’s not. MRS. BARRY (CONT’D) Say your good-byes! DIANA Good-bye, mother. 3/6/18 95.

MRS. BARRY Excuse me? DIANA MRS. BARRY (CONT'D) Fred, will you be a dear and Diana! escort mother home? She seems to be overwrought. MRS. BARRY (CONT’D) Diana! DIANA I said good-bye. Fred kisses Diana and exits with Mrs. Barry. Simultaneously, Rachel Lynde approaches Marilla. RACHEL The food is all laid out over there. I gotta keep an eye on it, Thomas has been pilfering my fruit tarts. I made forty tarts this morning and I’ve only thirty-two left. MARILLA What will I do when Anne leaves for Carmody? I can’t keep up Green Gables on my own. RACHEL You’ll sell and move in with Thomas and I. MARILLA Oh, no, Rachel I don’t know if that- RACHEL Now, before you go insulting me, I’m not crazy about the idea of living with you either. You’re not exactly a ray of sunshine, Marilla. But, you’re family. And, I love you. And, you’re not alone, Marilla. You never have been. (spotting Thomas offstage) Thomas you put down that tart! MARILLA Let him have the tarts, Rachel. RACHEL Gluttony is a sin. MARILLA He buried his best friend today. RACHEL And, I’ll bury him if he touches one more tart. Thomas! Rachel and Marilla exit. Lighting shift to Diana and Anne... 3/6/18 96.

DIANA I wanted to tell you sooner, but then... ANNE Tell me what? DIANA Fred has proposed and I’ve accepted. We’re getting married this summer. ANNE Married? DIANA Yes. ANNE To Fred? DIANA He’s good to me, Anne. He comes from a wonderful family and... Look at us. You, soon to be a teacher in Carmody, and me, soon to be a wife - maybe a mother. Who would imagine? ANNE Who would. Anne moves away from Diana, hiding her tears. DIANA Oh, Anne... ANNE Everything is changing. DIANA And, nothing is changing at all. ANNE You should go. Fred is waiting. Diana starts to exit, then turns back.. DIANA JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES - YOU CAN HEAR IT... A KINDRED SPIRIT OF YOUR OWN. THAT MISSING PART OF YOUR HEART... THAT YOU KNEW FROM THE START WAS MISSING... ANNE FROM THE START A PART OF YOUR OWN HEART HAS ALWAYS KNOWN... 3/6/18 97.

BOTH YOU ARE NOT ALONE... Lighting shift - in the blink of an eye, time passes, the seasons change, Diana is in a beautiful wedding gown and standing at an altar with Fred. Anne, dressed as she was at the top of the show, stands beside Diana, as her Maid of Honor. The entire town has come to celebrate the marriage... CHAPTER 21: THE BEND IN THE ROAD DIANA I... FRED I... DIANA I MAKE A VOW... FRED I MAKE A VOW... DIANA FRED (CONT'D) IT’S ONLY YOU AND I FOREVER IT’S ONLY EVER YOU AND I NOW... FOREVER HERE AND NOW... DIANA MY LIFE, MY LOVE, MY BOSOM FRIEND... FRED MY LOVE AND MY BEST FRIEND... BOTH I PROMISE TO RESPECT YOU, TO DEFEND YOU, AND PROTECT YOU... DIANA THIS I SWEAR... FRED THIS I SWEAR... BOTH THIS I SWEAR... Fred and Diana run off together, joyously. Anne watches them go- ANNE ... UNTIL THE BITTER END Anne’s bouquet of flowers slips from her fingers and tumbles to the ground. Everyone is gone, except for Gilbert, who carries a slice of cake. He picks up Anne’s bouquet, startling her... 3/6/18 98.

GILBERT Cake? ANNE What? GILBERT Would you like some cake? ANNE No. Thank you. GILBERT (re: Diana & Fred) She looks so happy with him, doesn’t she? They really are - what is it you used to call it - kindred spirits? ANNE You know, maybe I will have some cake. She takes the plate from Gilbert and starts to eat. GILBERT Everything is changing so fast. Isn’t it? Seems like only yesterday we were- ANNE SHIRLEY Things change. Roads bend. Children grow. People die. Friends leave. It’s nothing new. GILBERT BLYTHE Of course, you’re right. But, it seems to be happening so much faster these days. Doesn’t it? ANNE SHIRLEY I feel like I’m standing at a precipice. And this massive chasm before me is so large I can barely see to the other side. There’s no going back to where I came from, and nothing but darkness below. I know I have to move eventually, there’s no other choice, but I’m afraid the tiniest step will send me tumbling over the edge into the sea of darkness. And, I’m afraid to fall. (a moment, embarrassed) Thank you for the cake. Anne hands Gilbert the plate and goes to exit. GILBERT I meant to congratulate you on the teaching post at Carmody. ANNE I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist. 3/6/18 99.

GILBERT What? ANNE Gloating. ANNE (CONT’D) GILBERT Well, you’ll be happy to I’m not gloating, Anne. know that we’re selling Green Gables too. Did you know that, Gilbert? When I move to Carmody in the fall. So, it’s really been a banner day for you. GILBERT (CONT’D) That is it! Now, you listen to me, Anne Shirley, you stubborn brat - ANNE GILBERT (CONT'D) Stubborn? You’re just upset I have fallen all over because I won’t fawn all myself, for years, trying to over you like all the other make amends with you. But girls. You want me to be you’re too stuck-up to like Jane, or Prissy, or accept an apology! Jane? You Josie Pye. Well, I’m sorry, can’t be - I don’t want Gil- Josie Pye! I just want you! Anne is speechless. Gilbert, cautiously, kisses Anne. Diana enters- DIANA Anne- Gilbert and Anne quickly break apart. DIANA (CONT’D) Oh! Hello, Gilbert. Anne. It’s nice to see you two being so sociable. Finally. We’re about to toss the bouquet, Anne. If you have any sudden interest... Anne and Diana exit. Gilbert watches them go, then- GILBERT SO, LIFE DIDN’T TURN OUT THE WAY YOU PLANNED THE ROAD BENT BEFORE YOU AND LED YOU TO A DISTANT LAND FIRST, IT FELT LIKE FLYING NOW, IT’S LEFT YOU CRYING AND TRYING NOT TO FALL TO PIECES YEAH, WELL, SOMETIMES LIFE GETS OUT OF HAND BEFORE YOU HIT THE GROUND LOOK FOR ME 3/6/18 100.

I WILL ALWAYS BE AROUND WHEN YOUR PROSPECTS START TO WORSEN JUST REMEMBER - I’M YOUR PERSON AND I’LL ALWAYS BE AROUND TO CATCH YOU BEFORE YOU HIT THE GROUND Lighting shift - time passes. Marilla, Anne, and Rachel are seen at Green Gables with Mr. Edwards, a real estate broker. MR. EDWARDS All things considered - the house, the barn, and the acreage... I’m assuming the various animals could be included in the sale as well? MARILLA RACHEL I don’t see why not. Of course they could! Whatever’s easiest. MR. EDWARDS Wonderful. Then, if you’ll show me to them, I’ll do a quick inventory, and we’ll be all set. With a property this beautiful, it shouldn’t take long to find a buyer. As they turn to exit, they encounter Gilbert- MARILLA Mr. Blythe! What brings you here? RACHEL I think you know exactly what brings him here. GILBERT Hello, Anne. I was hoping I might have a word. ANNE We’re busy. GILBERT It’ll only take a moment. RACHEL We can manage without you. ANNE I don’t think you can. RACHEL Trust me, we’re fine. ANNE Trust me, you’re not. (to Gilbert) Good-day, Mr. Blythe. 3/6/18 101.

GILBERT Anne - ! ANNE Good-day. Anne, Mr. Edwards, Marilla, and Rachel exit. Gilbert is discouraged. A moment. Then, Marilla sneaks back on. MARILLA It won’t take us but five minutes. Don’t move! Marilla exits. GILBERT SO, NOW YOU’RE STANDING CLOSE TO THE ABYSS AND, WHAT ARE YOU SUPPOSE TO DO? HOW’D IT ALL COME DOWN TO THIS? UP AND ON A LEDGE HERE INCHING TOWARD THE EDGE, DEAR YOU’RE FEARING WHAT COMES NEXT AND YOU’RE AFRAID TO REMINISCE BEFORE YOU HIT THE GROUND LOOK FOR ME I’LL ALWAYS BE AROUND I’M YOUR STAR ON THE HORIZON I’M THE ONE TO KEEP YOUR EYES ON AND I’LL ALWAYS BE AROUND TO CATCH YOU BEFORE YOU HIT THE GROUND Anne enters to find Gilbert waiting on the porch. ANNE I thought I told you- GILBERT I don’t care what you told me. ANNE If you’ve come to try and make me feel worse about this than I already do - GILBERT I didn’t come for any such reason. I’ve come to tell you I’m giving up Avonlea School. ANNE What?! GILBERT I’ve already spoken with the trustees. You can stay here in Avonlea and take care of Green Gables and Marilla. 3/6/18 102.

ANNE I can’t let you do that. GILBERT You don’t have a choice. ANNE I won’t let you - GILBERT It’s already done. If you don’t take it someone else will. Probably Josie Pye. ANNE What will you do? GILBERT Miss Stacey has arranged for me to take your post at Carmody. ANNE So, you’ll leave Avonlea? GILBERT Only for a year. It’s not so bad. Besides, Green Gables is your home. ANNE Really? GILBERT Really. ANNE But I’ve been so terrible to you. GILBERT No... GILBERT (CONT’D) ANNE Yeah. Yeah. GILBERT Do you forgive me now? Can we, at least, be friends? I’VE SPENT MY WHOLE LIFE FALLING INTO YOU... ANNE I’VE SPENT MY WHOLE LIFE FALLING INTO YOU... GILBERT SO CATCH ME NOW - I NEED YOU TO COME THROUGH... ANNE NOW I NEED YOU TO COME THROUGH... 3/6/18 103.

GILBERT, ANNE & ENSEMBLE BEFORE I HIT THE GROUND - LET ME IN! LET ME KNOW THAT I AM FOUND SEE, I’M CRASHING TOWARD THE SURFACE COME ON - SAVE ME - GIVE ME PURPOSE LET ME KNOW YOU’LL BE AROUND TO CATCH ME BEFORE I HIT THE GROUND GILBERT ANNE I WANNA KNOW EVERYTHING THAT FOREVER... FOREVER... YOU ARE EVERYTHING THAT YOU’VE BEEN EVERYTHING YOU’LL BE I WANNA KNOW EVERY BREATH THAT I TAKE, EVERY DAY THAT I WAKE, YOU’LL BE THERE WITH ME BOTH I WANNA KNOW YOU FOREVER Lighting shift - Marilla, Rachel, and Mr. Edwards walk in. MR. EDWARDS I can draw up the papers first thing Monday morning- ANNE That won’t be necessary. MARILLA Anne, we’ve been through this already. I can’t care for Green Gables on my own, I’m too - ANNE You don’t have to. I’m staying. Mr. Blythe - Gil - has volunteered to trade positions with me. I’ll teach at Avonlea School, so I can stay here and help you, and he’ll take my place at Carmody. MARILLA Absolutely not! I refuse to let you - ANNE Now, you listen to me, Marilla Cuthbert, I am every bit as stubborn as you! Nothing you say, and nothing you do will change my mind - I am staying and that’s final. MARILLA MATTHEW UNDERSTOOD... YES, MATTHEW KNEW BEST... WHAT’S THE MOST PERFECT THING THAT HE COULD EVER BRING TO GREEN GABLES? IT’S A GIRL... MY GIRL... MY ANNE... 3/6/18 104.

Lighting shift - Anne speaks directly to the audience. Behind her, Gilbert is seen leaving for Carmody. ANNE When I left Queen's my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many miles. Now there’s a bend in it. I don't know what waits around the bend... (seeing Gilbert leaving) But I'm going to believe that the best does. After all, tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it... yet. HOME... ALL I EVER WANTED WAS HOME ALL I EVER DREAMED OF WAS HOME A PLACE TO CALL MY OWN AND NOW I’M STANDING HERE HOME NOW I’VE FINALLY COME HOME... ANNE (CONT'D) ENSEMBLE OH! I’VE BEEN WAITING... OH! WAITING THROUGH RIGHT WAITING... AND WRONG, NEEDING, WANTING TO BELONG! ANNE AND, IT’S BETTER THAN MY WILDEST DREAMS - THE WAIT PAID OFF, OR SO IT SEEMS! ANNE (CONT’D) ENSEMBLE HOW COULD I KNOW? WHO COULD KNOW? HOW COULD I SEE? WHO COULD SEE? WHILE I WAS HOPELESSLY WAITING MY WHOLE LIFE AWAY GREEN GABLES WAS WAITING ANNE WITH AN ‘E’... HERE FOR ME! ANNE WITH AN ‘E’... ANNE WITH AN ‘E’... IN A LAND CALLED AVONLEA! [Blackout - End of show.]