Storybook Theatre adds 10 extra shows as ‘Anne of Green Gables’ sells out

StoryBook Theatre’s production of Anne of Green Gables: The Musical has expanded its run after overwhelming demand pushed the company to add 10 extra performances, running March 27 through April 12. The extension follows a near‑total sell‑out ahead of opening weekend.

Storybook theatre artistic director J.P. Thibodeau says demand for the production left them little choice but to find a way to extend it. 

“The day before opening the phone started to ring pretty consistently with people asking if we were really sold out,” he says. “This then turned into emails, non stop calls, asking the same thing or asking to be waitlisted.”

Because StoryBook operates with a volunteer cast, the company first needed to ensure performers were willing and able to extend the schedule. Thibodeau says the organization prioritized rest days and proposed a profit‑share plan to compensate participants and sent out a form to the cast and crew.

“Within five hours 90 per cent of the cast and crew had committed,” he says. “I was shocked by how quick the response was… But everyone was very excited to take part.”

All but one original cast member will appear in the extension. Two principal actors will be temporarily replaced on separate weekends due to pre‑planned vacations, but the production will otherwise remain unchanged.

Thibodeau says audience reaction has been strong throughout the opening week.

“Today I had three people during our school matinee come and thank me for programming such wholesome content,” he says. He adds that a group from Nova Scotia, who regularly attend the Charlottetown Festival, told him they “enjoyed it just as much.”

Thibodeau says the demand, the production, and the commitment of volunteers all contributed to the extension.

“Being able to share in the success with our volunteers is icing on the cake… or maybe the ice cream in the cone.”

The new extended run has tickets available from March 27- April 12. Tickets are available here.