Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

50th anniversary production

Anne of Green Gables: The Musical returns to WCT, 50 years later

Nov 12, 2025 | 5:07 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s a classic story many Canadians grew up with, brought to the stage for the 50th anniversary of Western Canada Theatre. Anne of Green Gables: The Musical opens at the Sagebrush Theatre next week. It’s the story of a spirited orphan finding community connection on Prince Edward Island and the beloved tale has brought a team of talented actors and crew to Kamloops.

Anne of Green Gables was the first musical ever performed under the Western Canada Theatre banner, and it’s back for the company’s 50th season.

When asked what drew her to the role of Anne, Kyra Leroux says it felt like a good fit.

“I kind of feel like I was born to play this role, honestly — I mean, the red hair, obviously. And I just love Anne. I think she has so much imagination and so much honesty and the show itself is so much fun,” says Leroux.

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The compelling characters have even drawn some of the cast back to roles they’ve come to love.

“I didn’t really dive into the story until the first time I played Anne, which was at the Gateway Theatre in Richmond three years ago,” explains Leroux. “When I got the opportunity to play the role again, I was like ‘Yes!””

Similarly Michelle Bardach, who plays both Miss Muriel Stacey and Mrs. MacPherson, has past experience in the story.

“I actually already played [Miss Stacey] before once at the Charlottetown Festival in P.E.I. which is where the initial production has been happening for the last 50-something years,” she says.

Audiences can expect strong musical numbers and vocal talents throughout.

“I also play Mrs. MacPherson in Act 1 and she’s a bit more in her upper register (singing), a little more proper,” says Bardach. “It’s fun to get to play both sides of the show in different characters.”

All alongside the uplifting charm ‘Anne with an e’ has brought to Canadians for decades, something Leroux says she’ll take with her from the character.

“Looking at the world a bit from Anne’s perspective and seeing the trees in a new way or seeing nature or seeing the relationships with others in a bit of a new light.”

Final rehearsals are underway before the curtain’s up next week, with performances running from November 20 to December 7. Tickets are on sale now at Kamloops Live! Box Office.