"I read the book in sixth grade, and my family's watched the movie," Grant says. "I've loved the story for a long time."

Anne of Green Gables is double-cast with about 55 children. The musical follows the popular story of a strong-willed orphan in 19th-century Canada who's taken in by a farming family.

"It's always a plus to have [shows with] more female characters because we attract more girls," says co-director Jen Ellington.

Besides being one of the few males in the show, Gilbert is an important character since he's Anne's "love disinterest." Grant also had a plum role in his debut with the theater company, playing Freidrich in The Sound of Music.

"I've always done plays at my church," he says. "I wanted to take it up a notch and start doing real theatrical stuff."

Homestead High School student Elizabeth Neuhauser has been "doing real theatrical stuff" for a while. Anne of Green Gables is her sixth show with the Sunnyvale group.

"My first show here was Annie," says the 16-year-old. "I was just so excited that I got in."

Elizabeth has also been on the stage crew for the Sunnyvale Community Players and has been on technical crews for shows at Homestead. While she enjoys being on stage, she says there are advantages to being behind the scenes.

"Being in front of an audience, you get to express yourself, but tech's fun because you get to see a whole other side" of theater, she says.

The look of the show is Victorian farmer, and cast members are decked out in gingham dresses and breeches. Elizabeth says she's used to donning period garb for shows.

"I've not had to wear a corset yet, and for that, I'm grateful," she says.

"Anne of Green Gables" runs Feb. 17-March 12 at the Sunnyvale Community Center Theater, 550 E. Remington Ave. Performances are Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit www.sunnyvaleplayers.org.