ON STAGE
What: Anne of Green Gables
Where: McPherson Playhouse
When: Nov. 24-Dec. 3
Tickets: 250-386-6121, rmts.bc.ca
It’s a good thing Dan Costain amassed so much experience packing his bags during his days as a nomadic musical-theatre performer — because he’s embarking on another trip down memory lane.
On his latest theatrical journey, playing Matthew Cuthbert in Victoria Operatic Society’s production of Anne of Green Gables, Costain, 68, is no doubt experiencing a sense of déjà vu.
The Victoria-based song-and-dance man originated the role of schoolyard kid Mood McPherson in the quintessential Canadian musical that opened in 1965 at the Charlottetown Festival, where he worked for nine seasons.
He returned years later to play schoolteacher Mr. Phillips when Jacques Lemay was artistic director from 1991 to 1997. He also toured with the show to Japan and New York, where it opened off-Broadway in 1971.
The musical, based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel about the exploits of Anne Shirley, the feisty, freckle-faced redhead orphan in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, is not just a Canadian institution. The show — written and composed by Don Harron and Norman Campbell, with lyrics by Elaine Campbell and Mavor Moore — has also been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s longest-running annual theatre production.
“Gosh, I played New York,” said Costain, who is characteristically humble about his theatrical achievements, including nearly 1,000 appearances in Anne over the years. “It was work at that point.”
Costain also appeared in Charlottetown Festival productions of Johnny Belinda, Guys and Dolls and Puttin’ On the Ritz, including the original Belfry production that inspired a revival of the Irving Berlin revue.
He has performed on stages from Dawson City, where he did summer stock, to Vancouver, in musicals including Dames at Sea, Beauty and the Beast, Evita, Hello Dolly!, South Pacific, Brigadoon and Anything Goes.
Costain, who was involved for years with Kaleidoscope Theatre and played Eliza Doolittle’s deadbeat dad in Blue Bridge Theatre’s 2013 production of My Fair Lady, is as much a fixture behind the scenes.
His work as a technical director, stage carpenter or designer has been evident in a multitude of productions.
Costain said the reason for the longevity and broad appeal of Anne of Green Gables is simple: “It’s a love story and a tragedy all the same time.
“She was adopted by a brother and sister who lost their own parents.”
Playing Matthew Cuthbert, the kindly and shy 60-year-old bachelor who pressures his stern sister, Marilla, to adopt Anne, is a good fit at this point in his career, said Costain, whose classic Pepsodent smile is now matched by a white beard that would turn David Letterman green with envy.
“The relationship between Matthew and Anne is like a platonic love affair. He’s living vicariously through her,” says Costain, who delivers the musical numbers Humble Pie, his duet with Anne, and the title song.
“It’s the perfect role for me with the abilities I have left and the age that I am,” he said, chuckling. “I’m not dancing and twirling as much, but I can still sing and act.”
Tara Britt, the show’s director-choreographer, has worked with Costain many times since she first met him when she was 14, and calls him a “wealth of knowledge.”
“[He] brings so much to any production, but he never tries to direct or push his opinion,” Britt said.
Their collaborations include My Fair Lady and One More Time, a revival of the classic musical revue with Dorothy and Sylvia Hosie that Costain produced at Mary Winspear Centre.
Britt said the prospect of staging Anne of Green Gables appealed to her for many reasons, but mainly because she’s such a fan.
“It’s one of my favourite stories. I’ve read the book hundreds of times, and watched the mini-series,” she said. “I grew up with it, and I did the musical during my high school years.”
She said she also loves that Anne of Green Gables, in addition to being quintessentially Canadian, is so family-friendly.
“It’s a feel-good musical, and I get to work with people with a wide range of experiences, from people doing their first show to veterans like Danny,” said Britt.
The show’s cast of 34 is headlined by Molly Lydon as the beloved title character, Jo Barnes as Marilla Cuthbert and Angela Robertson as Diana Barrie.
Britt’s creative collaborators include musical director Brad L’Ecuyer, set designer Guy Chester, lighting designer Adam Wilkinson, costume designer Lal O’Connor and Pat Rundell, who provides the show’s projections.
The most rewarding aspects of her experience include directing “one of the best kids’ choruses I’ve ever worked with” and reuniting with Lydon.
“I’ve worked with Molly since she was quite a bit younger and she never disappoints,” Britt said. “She really is a pro at age 18.”
