Family : Faithful to ‘Green Gables’

An irresistible, spunky red-headed orphan, a turn-of-the-century island setting: The Serendipity Theatre Co., now in its last season at the Coronet Theatre, is serving up a faithful rendition of L.M. Montgomery’s classic, “Anne of Green Gables,” for ages 6 and up.

In J.D. Jordan’s straightforward adaptation, orphan Anne (16-year-old Katy Killackey) unexpectedly comes to live with stern Marilla (Caryn Ronis) and her brother Matthew (Joe Powers), disrupting their well-ordered lives--for the better, of course--with her vivid imagination, her enthusiasm and her penchant for unintentional mischief.

Performances by the cast of professional and non-professional adults and teen-agers, while competent, lack any depth, but under Joyce Guy’s clean direction the show has no trouble capturing the attention of its audience.

A few comic moments are supplied by Kathy Kinney, quirky in her triple roles as gossipy Rachel Lynde, mean Mrs. Blewett and a chirpy storekeeper, and Yasmine Abdul-Wahid as Anne’s friend Diana, whose droll line readings add charm to a scene where she accidentally gets tipsy, a performance that could easily be overdone.

Rounding out the cast are Kristipher Maschek as Gilbert, a boy who teases Anne, and Sarah Lilly, also triple cast.

The simple but effective set design--portable, woody set pieces and leafy trees in silhouette--is by Mummdesign; the satisfying period costumes are by Daphne.

* “Anne of Green Gables,” Coronet Theatre, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Fridays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 1 and 4 p.m. through May 22. $6 (ages 13 and under) and $12; (310) 652-9199. Running time: 1 1/2 hours.