Local theatre veteran Rosalee Sullivan will play the role of Marilla Cuthbert in Bard to Broadway’s production of Anne of Green Gables The Musical, a role she feels a connection with.
“I grew up in Nova Scotia so as soon as I found out B2B was doing Anne of Green Gables I just had sparkly eyes for the role of Marilla,” she said.
Sullivan grew up around Halifax and moved to B.C. in 1978, to Qualicum Beach in 1985. Since that time she has been heavily involved in the local theatre scene, acting in countless plays for Echo Players, Dori McGarrigle’s Musical Theatre and Bard to Broadway. She has also produced many shows and has co-directed, but her first love is acting along with singing, she said.
Sullivan sings with the local group Rosalee and the Jazz Swingers, performing frequently at the Shady Rest Pub and also performs Monday nights at Deez Bar and Grill’s Jazz Jam. She is a member of Echo Players and on the Board of Directors with Bard to Broadway. When asked how many local productions she’s been in, she laughed.
“Oh, I’ve done a lot,” she said, adding, “As I say in by bios (biographies) I’ve been entertaining audiences in the Qualicum Beach and Parksville area for more years than I’d care to admit!”
Sullivan said Anne of Green Gables is a classic and because it’s based in a maritime province (Prince Edward Island) she feels connected to it. Sullivan has been to P.E.I. a number of times and has visited Green Gables, the farm author Lucy Maud Montgomery used as the setting in the story.
She said she’s the right age bracket for the part of Marilla, a lovely role, she said, in a fantasitc play.
“Who doesn’t love the story of Anne of Green Gables?” she asked.
Anne of Green Gables The Musical starts this Wednesday, July 6 at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach and runs to August 5.
For tickets and more information visit www.b2btheatre.com or call 250-752-4470.