Anne musical changes saved at last minute

A major revamp of Anne of Green Gables: The Musical, announced last December, has finally all come together.

The agreement came Wednesday after a long day of last minute negotiations in the wake of media reports that the show's designer had resigned, and the director was seriously considering leaving as well. A month ago Don Harron, who co-wrote the original script in 1964 and was contracted to write a new scene, received a letter from the Confederation Centre of the Arts saying the revamp of Canada's longest running musical was off.

But on Wednesday, Confederation Centre CEO David MacKenzie announced the changes were on, director Marcia Kash and designer Douglas Paraschuck would continue their work to give Anne a new look, and Harron would write a new scene.

MacKenzie told CBC News the planned changes had raised serious concerns with the heirs of Anne co-creators Norman and Elaine Campbell.

"To propose some things that are as perhaps earth-shattering as we're proposing for Anne of Green Gables: The Musical this year, caused a lot of reflection, particularly among the families of the authors of Anne," said MacKenzie.

MacKenzie said the changes were only just agreed to late Wednesday afternoon. He said in hindsight the Confederation Centre should have contacted the Campbell family before it announced the changes.

The new Anne of Green Gables show will open June 28.