A new musical about the life of Lucy Maud Montgomery, world famous author of Anne of Green Gables.
Book, Music and Lyrics by Marion Abbott
"Her achievements would be more remarkable if people knew the conditions under which she wrote." — Dr. Stuart Macdonald/Maud's Son
Synopsis
Lucy Maud Montgomery is the world famous author of Anne of Green Gables, who put her birthplace Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada on the map with her success as a writer.
But how well do we know her true life story?
Upward Climb* follows Maud's journey from just before her marriage to Rev. Ewan Macdonald and their move to Leaskdale, Ontario. Traveling through four major chapters of Maud’s life – P.E.I., Leaksdale, Norval, and Toronto – we get a glimpse into Maud’s life as a minister’s wife, mother, friend, and famous author. Based on Maud’s own personal account in her journals, Maud: The Musical explores the author’s milestones and growth. Through fame and gossip, a World War, the stillbirth of her son, a legal battle with her first publisher, the loss of her best friend, her and her husband’s struggles with mental health, and her final reflections on life – Maud’s tenancy and genius are celebrated in this new musical and inspires audiences to see the same complexity and beauty Maud herself saw in the world.
*UPWARD CLIMB: A MUSICAL and Marion Abbott are not affiliated with or endorsed by Heirs of L.M. Montgomery Inc.
Upward Climb: A Musical - The Life Story of Lucy Maud Montgomery is currently undergoing rewrites in preparation for its next chapter - stay tuned!
Upward Climb, formerly titled Maud: The Musical, experienced it’s first staged reading in Toronto October of 2022 at the beautiful Arts and Letters Club 14 Elm Street, Toronto.
(Did you know that Lucy Maud Montgomery attended meetings at the club? She did! Often!)
Miss the Workshop? Enjoy a Listen…
Meet Marion Abbott, Writer of Upward Climb
Marion Abbott is a proud graduate of the Musical Theatre Performance Program at Sheridan College. She was hired to work as part of their faculty after she graduated and was named one of the program's Top Twenty Graduates. Marion has worked on hundreds of shows as a Writer, Creator, Producer, Director, Music Director, and Accompanist.
Marion's obsession with Maud began when she read Anne of Green Gables, then the rest of the Anne series, then Maud's other titles and finally, Maud's journals. Marion started dramatizing Maud's writing for the stage in 2014, creating Anne and Maud, Conversations with the Ladies of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Blue Castle and A Kindred Spirit Christmas. Marion is excited to share Maud's inspiring story with the world, through musical theatre. Marion's hero is Walt Disney and tries to get to Disney World as often as possible.