The iconic Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ will not be part of the Charlottetown Festival next year according to a statement from the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

The curtain first lifted on the production in 1965 and the show has been staged annually – with the exception of the two pandemic years of 2020 and 2021.

The musical will return in 2024 to coincide with the 150th birthday of Lucy Maud Montgomery and will be staged every second year (biennially) thereafter.

The rights to the Charlottetown Festival adaptation of Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ have been available throughout North America and are now available to schools and non-professional community groups for the first time in the Maritimes through Concord Theatricals.

“We are thrilled to announce that the Centre and rights holders have come to a new agreement that builds on our longstanding partnership,” said Centre CEO Steve Bellamy.

“The story of Anne is an integral part of Prince Edward Island culture and we want to assure the public that it will return to the stage for years to come.”

“The pandemic gave us the chance to imagine how we can share the magic of Anne and Avonlea,” noted Kelley Harron, daughter of the musical’s co-creator Don Harron.

“Making the musical more accessible will help inspire a new generation of theatre performers and patrons.”

The Charlottetown Festival will announce its lineup of shows for 2023 on December 1.