Charlottetown, PE – Anne of Green Gables-The Musical is back at The Charlottetown Festival for 2010, and this year a favourite Anne is back. Jennifer Toulmin returns to the iconic role. Toulmin played Canada’s most famous red-haired orphan for four years, from 2002 through 2005, and brings her energy and excitement back to the role this summer.

“I am over-the-moon to be returning,” says Toulmin. She received rave reviews in her previous seasons at The Charlottetown Festival, and led the cast to critical praise on tour to Connecticut in 2005. She most recently wore the red braids for three runs of Anne in Ontario from 2006 through 2008.

“I am for ever captivated by the Island, its people, and the shining spirit of Anne Shirley. It is with a heart filled with purest joy that I am realizing my most cherished hope of being your Anne once again,” she adds.

Anne Allan, artistic director of The Charlottetown Festival and director and choreographer of Anne says Toulmin is a bright light. “What she exudes is this youthful quality, and you really believe she is this child. She’s got such beautiful, warm energy. She’s an irresistible personality.”

Performing the role of Anne Shirley eight times a week – six evenings and two matinees – is demanding on any actor. Toulmin says it is the most technically demanding role she has played. For the matinees this year, the musical will feature a different Anne – Edmonton’s Allyson Pratt will play the redhead for the two matinees.

“I feel blessed by the support of an alternate, whose fulfilling of the matinees will allow me to cultivate optimal artistic proficiency in my beloved role,” Toulmin says.

More than 2.3 million people have seen Anne of Green Gables-The Musical at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown. Canada’s longest running musical, Anne debuted at the first Charlottetown Festival in 1965 and has been the Festival mainstay every year since then.

There is a half price preview performance of Anne on July 20. Opening night is July 21. The show runs until August 28 with eight performances a week. Tickets are available at the Confederation Centre’s box office at 1-800-565-0278 or online at www.charlottetownfestival.com.

MacLean Construction is the production sponsor for Anne of Green Gables-The Musical. The Charlottetown Festival’s major sponsor is APM. Media sponsors for the Festival are The Guardian, CTV, K-ROCK and Ocean 100.

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Media contact: Dan Wall, publicist, Confederation Centre of the Arts, phone (902) 628-6135
Email: dwall@confederationcentre.com, web www.confederationcentre.com