Nov. 11—BEMIDJI — Maria Laesch has been acting in Bemidji Community Theater plays since she was 9 years old.

But now, at age 15, she’s landed her first lead role as Anne Shirley in the musical “Anne of Green Gables,” which opens Friday at the BCT Performing Arts Center, 316 Beltrami Ave. NW.

“The audience will get a kick out of Anne Shirley,” said Mary Knox-Johnson, the play’s director. “Maria has been in lots of different shows, but this is her first major role. She’s very much at ease on stage because she has quite a bit of experience. We always ask people who audition which role they would like to play, and Anne was her first choice.”

Performances of “Anne of Green Gables” will be at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14, 15, 21 and 22, with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday, Nov. 15 and Sunday, Nov. 23. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $6 for children. They may be purchased at Ken K. Thompson Jewelry, McKenzie Place, online at bemidjicommunitytheater.com or at the door pending availability.

The play takes place in the 1880s, a period known as the Second Industrial Revolution, occurring amidst the invention of the automobile, radio, light bulb, phonograph, telephone, typewriter, cash register and zipper.

Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert (played by Paul Conklin and Becky Marty), unmarried siblings living on their farm, Green Gables, near the quiet town of Avonlea, decide to adopt an orphan boy to help with chores, much to the chagrin of their nosy neighbor, Rachel Lynde (played by Mary Anderson).

However, when Matthew arrives at the train station, he finds 11-year-old Anne Shirley instead of a boy. On the buggy ride home, Anne’s talkativeness and spirit charm Matthew, who reveals to Marilla that he wants to keep her. After a trial period, Marilla agrees.

Despite having lived an impoverished life, Anne has a rich imagination and an optimistic and generous spirit. However, lacking a few of the social graces and education of most young people her age, she often reacts emotionally to criticism, especially if it involves her red hair.

Before arriving at Green Gables, Anne was forced to invent imaginary playmates, but in Avonlea, she meets Diana Barry (played by Natalie Corcoran), a neighbor who quickly becomes her close friend.

At school, Anne feuds with a boy named Gilbert Blythe (played by Elijah Wood), who taunts her by calling her “Carrots” and pulling her red braid. Allowing her temper to get the best of her, she breaks her slate over his head, marking the beginning of a feud that will last a long time.

All of the memorable characters of the novel roam the streets of Avonlea, including the ever-smiling Mrs. Spencer (played by Hannah Segero), the new teacher Miss Stacy (played by Victoria Wood), as well as the older strict disciplinarian Mr. Philips (played by Steven Scherling), Anne’s nemesis Josie Pye and her mother (McKenzie Mike and Angela Marie) and an ensemble made up of local people of all ages bringing the total cast size to 35.

The adaptation is under the stage direction of Knox-Johnson with musical direction by Vicki L. Stenerson and piano accompaniment by Carol L. Johnson.

A revolving stage containing the two-story home of the Cuthberts, complete with a second-story bedroom over a cozy kitchen was designed and constructed by Dwayne Johnson. Scenic painting and props, including a horse-drawn wagon designed and assembled by Rebecca Laesch, grace the stage.

Kristine Cannon serves as the stage manager, with choreography handled by Ava Lindsay.