Attendees of the Warsaw Community High School Drama Dept. production of “Anne of Avonlea” this weekend also can help the tornado victims in southern Indiana. WCHS is working with World Compassion Network and collecting items for the counties ravaged by the tornadoes last week, according to drama teacher and director Dana McAfee. As patrons enter the WCHS Performing Arts Center for “Anne of Avonlea”, there will be drop-off boxes for people to bring off and donate needed items for the tornado victims. The list of items includes laundry detergent, tarps, clippers, tweezers, condiments, pillows, towels, coffee, tea, sugar, powdered/flavored drinks, denture products, gloves, lighters, anti-biotic ointment; baby, children and adult Tylenol; dog and cat food, non-perishable food, blankets, sheets, bandages, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, shaving cream, razors, hairspray, trash bags, dish soap, flashlights, batteries, Isopropyl alcohol, salt and pepper, Hydrogen Peroxide, cases of bottled water, generators, chain saws, rakes, shovels and totes with locking lids. “Anne of Avonlea”, based on “Anne of Green Gables”, is at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets for the light drama play are $5 for students, and $7 for adults. About 35 students make up the cast of the show. McAfee said the production is set in early 1900s Canada. Anne Shirley (Kristen Murdock) was hoping to go to college on scholarship, but her adopted mother, Marilla Cuthbert (Hannah Bishop) needs help on the farm. Anne puts her dreams “on hold” to help on the farm, and becomes a teacher at Avonlea. The full-length play begins with a series of flashbacks. During the show, there’s also a few side stories involving a couple of characters dating and getting closer, and Anne’s friend Gilbert Blythe (Connor Julian). Anne and Marilla also adopt a couple of other children, and audiences get to see how those children adapt. Murdock described Anne as “very energetic and free spirited. She is very loving and usually right on first impressions. But sometimes she is proved wrong and she accepts it gracefully.” Murdock said she sees some similarities between herself and Anne. “I find myself reacting the same way she does, sometimes a little extreme, but she’s very warm hearted,” Murdock said. The hardest part in playing Anne, she said, is that she’s a well-known character. Anne also is Murdock’s first lead role. “Hopefully, I can do the job well,” Murdock said. “I want to make my cast proud. I want to make my director proud, of course.”The cast list also includes: Ashlee Fosnaugh as young Anne/townsperson; Shelby Poe, Mrs. Thomas/townsperson; Kirstin Davis, Mrs. Hammond/townsperson; Savannah Cousins, orphanage coordinator/townsperson; Maralee Frush, Mrs. Spencer/townsperson; Haley Coffman, Diana Barry; Alex Denault, Rachel Lynde; Derek Grose, Mr. Harrison; Chris Winslow, Mr. Shearer/townsperson; Matt Schmidt, Ginger/Uncle Abe; Natalie Wilson, Julia Bell; Andrew Jeffreys, Fred Wright; Olivia Wallin, Jane Andrews; Chance Parker, Anthony Pye; Jordan Fredericks, St. Clair Donnell; Lacey Lisenbee, Annetta Bell; Anna Decker, Aurelia Clay; Mary Southworth, Prilly Rogerson; James Teneer, Joseph Sloane; Michael Kuhn, Paul Irving; Kathy Frazetta, Clarice Almira Donnell; Kahler Snow, Barbara Shaw; Morgan Wuchter, Mrs. Donnell/townsperson; Lucy Clements, Eliza Andrews/townsperson; Margot Rheinhardt, Catherine Andrews/townsperson; Mark Southworth, Daniel Blair/townsperson; Lucas Thomas, Davy Keith; Tara Rusinack, Dora Keith; Emma Bonifield, Charlotta the 4th; Susanna Stichter, Miss Lavender; Mercy Coffman, Mirabel Cotton; Kiara Stewart, Emily Harrison; Matt Grothouse, Mr. Irving; and Karly Poyner and Kenn Stanek as townspeople. Stage manager is Cara Eastis, and assistant stage manager is Patrick Norman.
