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A Bend in the Road

    

A new musical by

Michael Upward &

Benita Scheckel

    

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A Bend in the Road

A new musical about the adventures of Anne Shirley


World Premiere of a new musical

Maestro Entertainment is pleased to announce the premiere of  "A Bend In The Road." Revisiting the classical story of Anne Shirley and her adventures in Avonlea, this brand new musical is filled with heartwarming, delightful new songs. 

    

A semi-staged reading was performed on January 16 to a packed house at The Shakespeare League Clubhouse in Pasadena. The part of Rachel Lynde, Avonlea's busy-body, was played by Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson on "Little House on the Prairie").  Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert were played by Jack Ritschel and Eileen Barnett.  And Leslie Spencer-Smith was wonderful as Anne.

  

Survey: If you attended the performance and wish to fill out a questionnaire, please click here. 

      

Audio Demos

   

A Home for Me

The Lord's Prayer      

Kindred Spirits 

Math and Mayhem

That Girl

The Feud

Haunted Wood

What Do You Call a Boy?

That Girl (Reprise)

One Little Drop

Bend in the Road

       

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Read the Script - PDF   WORD

 

   

Thank you TO THE WONDERFUL CAST FOR A GREAT READING!!!! 

    

About the authors:

Michael Upward, music/book, has a Master's Degree in musical composition.  In addition to publishing many of his choral works, this is his third full length stage musical. His first two shows, A King to Me and The Chosen Door, were produced in Palm Springs. He is a pianist, singer and musical director working with many Los Angeles area theater, opera and church groups. He dedicates this new show to his kindred spirit and wonderful daughter, Kelsey Upward.

    

Benita Scheckel, lyrics/book, is a SAG actor and a professional singer. Having starred in numerous local productions, such as Oklahoma at San Gabriel Civic, and Footloose at the Pechanga Resort she also teaches songwriting and composition seminars for children in the Los Angeles Unified School District.  She lives in Pasadena with her husband, Nick, and her two daughters, Madison and Anna. 

        

Synopsis:

     Matthew Cuthbert and his sister Marilla Cuthbert live on a small farm in the town of Avonlea called Green Gables. Because Matthew is advanced in age, he and his sister decide to adopt a boy to help on the farm. To their surprise, and because of an error, they receive an orphan girl, Anne Shirley. Anne is very talkative and has an extremely vivid imagination. When she doesn't like the name of a place or person, she imagines a new one, and she only spells her name with an "E." Winning over the hearts of Matthew and Marilla, she begins to settle in to life in Avonlea. Rachel Lynde, town busybody, is horrified at the prospect of an orphan living at Green Gables. Her best friend and kindred spirit is Diana Barry. Gilbert Blythe, the school heartthrob, is very popular among the girls, including the snobby and self-centered Josie Pye. Anne has no interest in the drama between the boys and the girls, and often just sticks to her imagination and reading.  Constantly making huge mistakes, Anne accidentally intoxicates her best friend Diana and they are banned from seeing one another for several months partially due to Rachel Lynde putting in her oar. 

     Anne's true character comes to light when she saves Diana's sister's life, and Rachel Lynde decides to give Anne a chance. Eventually they become fast friends. Anne's imagination continues in full force and eventually comes back to haunt her as she enters the Haunted Wood one night.  She is terrorized by her imaginary ghosts and spirits. Not being able to resist a dare, Anne one day climbs the school house roof and falls off.  Gilbert Blythe, her arch enemy, comes to the rescue and Anne secretly realizes her love for him, although continuing not to show it. As Anne's 17th birthday approaches, Matthew solicits the help of Rachel to make her a beautiful new dress.  After giving her this gift, Matthew realizes that his little girl is grown up, and they sing together: "One Little Drop." Matthew passes away soon after, and Anne graduates from school as valedictorian. Anne decides to stay and become the Avonlea schoolteacher until Gilbert offers to take her place.  Anne and Diana go off to college excited about their new life at The Bend in the Road. 

    

The Characters:

Anne Shirley:    Anne is a fiery red-headed, opinionated, super intelligent, highly imaginative girl. Able to talk the "hind leg off a mule" she is always living deep within her imagination.  

Rachel Lynde:  Rachel is the town busybody.  She loves to be at the heart of all the drama that takes place to the point of causing a problem, then promptly fixing it. 

Marilla Cuthbert:  Marilla is a very serious, hardworking homemaker. Sister to Matthew, she is continuously trying to keep order in the house and to give Anne a proper upbringing. 

Matthew Cuthbert: Matthew is an elderly, not highly educated man, who is the brother of Marilla. He loves Anne's talking and her company and becomes like a father to her.

Gilbert Blythe:  Gilbert is gorgeous, very smart, and loves to tease the girls. He continuously tries to get Anne to like him, but she refuses.  Anne and Gilbert compete in their school work.

Diana Barry:     Diana is beautiful, dainty, prim and proper.  Anne’s best friend, and "kindred spirit."

Teddy Phillips:  Teddy is the nerdy first year teacher of the Avonlea school.  He is dreadfully in love with Prissy Andrews who is just about to graduate.  He wears glasses and a bow tie. Too intellectual for his own good.  (Also plays stationmaster, headless man and ensemble)

Mrs. Barry:      Diana’s very proper mother, rather serious and stuffy.    (Also plays mother, old woman/mother in-law and ensemble)

Josie Pye:         Josie's character is like Nellie Olsen.  She has over done hair in ringlets, she is popular, mean and a bully. 

Sophia Sloan:   Friend and cohort to Josie.  Small minded, always follows Josie's lead.

Ruby Gillis:       Josie's 2nd friend. The three of them are constantly gossiping together, daring one another and hording their beauty over the other girls. 

Charlie Sloan:   Gilbert's best friend.  Follows Gilbert's lead, also teases the girls. (Also plays porter and skeleton).

Billy Andrews:  Gilbert's other friend. Prone to horseplay and tricks. (Also plays porter and skeleton). 

Prissy Andrews: Billy’s older sister.  Beautiful, waif, constantly giggling, no lines, great dancer. Has a crush on the teacher, Mr. Phillips. (Also plays soldier’s wife and the white lady).  

 

Production:

  

For questions, please email bscheckel@hotmail.com

 

 

     
 

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