PENDLETON — A classic story is coming to life in Pendleton with College Community Theatre’s “Anne of Green Gables.”

Based on the book by Lucy Maud Montgomery, “Anne of Green Gables” follows the adventures of orphan Anne Shirley when she is adopted — accidentally — by siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. An imaginative and dramatic child, the story follows Anne’s antics across Avonlea.

Although the story has its share of humor, its core message is about chosen family.

“The show is amazing, and there’s something for everyone. There’s happiness, there’s sadness, pivotal moments,” said Claire Welch, who plays Anne Shirley.

Rick Pullen is Matthew Cuthbert.

“I’ve always done musicals, and I thought this was a role that I could really get into an enjoy,” he said. “It’s a great story.”

Karin Power said she took the opportunity to play Marilla because the story moved her.

“I like the character and how she evolves from being very strict and straightlaced and proper and cold — just cold — to being a person that cries on stage and is warm and loving. I felt, as an actor, that was a very exciting challenge to play a character that had that breadth of emotion,” she said.

For Power, it is the heartfelt moments that stand out the most in “Anne of Green Gables.”

“I love the scene where Anne finds out that I’m thinking of selling Green Gables out of desperation,” Power said. “How they come and work together. Anne’s already done her homework to try to find out how to save it. That’s one of my favorite scenes.”

While many of the scenes pull on heartstrings, others have humor, especially with Anne’s adventures. Welch said her favorite scenes involve those that will be familiar to fans of the book or film versions of “Anne of Green Gables.” One involves a boat, one a schoolroom, and one some raspberry cordial.

“Those are my favorites, but I don’t want to give any spoilers,” Welch said with a smile.

Those familiar with the story will be able to see their favorite scenes brought to life while others should be prepared to be surprised.

In addition to Welch as the titular character, and Power and Pullen as the Cuthbert siblings, the “Anne of Green Gables” cast includes Grace Welch as Diana Berry, Megann Fleming as Josie Pye and Matthew Reeves as Gilbert Blythe.

Margaret Mayer is the show’s director, and Marie Pratuch is the assistant director. The backgrounds are painted by local artist Shari Dallas.

The cast and crew said those who come out and see “Anne of Green Gables” will not regret it.

“This show is about hope. In our society right now, there’s so much angst and bitterness and angriness, and I feel like this show opens up people’s hearts,” Power said. “It sounds so cheesy, but I feel like they will walk away with a warm feeling where they want to see the better in people instead of judging a book by its cover.”

The literary character of Anne would likely agree. In the words of Montgomery’s Anne Shirley, “It’s been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.”

Shows

“Anne of Green Gables” opens Wednesday, May 1, 7 p.m. with a pay-what-you-can night.

Shows run May 3-5 and May 9-12. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. All performances are in the Bob Clapp Theatre at Blue Mountain Community College.

Tickets are available at collegecommunitytheatre.com/box-office/.

‘Anne of Green Gables’

College Community Theatre of Pendleton will present “Anne of Green Gables” May 3-5 and May 9-12 at the Bob Clapp Theatre at Blue Mountain Community College.

A special pay-what-you-can night is set for May 1.

Showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are available at collegecommunitytheatre.com.