BANGOR – The Maine Shakespeare Festival, presented by Penobscot Theatre Company, will perform “Anne of Green Gables,” adapted by Alice Chadwicke from the novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, at 2 p.m. July 12-14 and 26-28 at the Bangor Opera House. Previews are set for July 6-7.

“It’s so important to provide enriching events for children,” said Artistic Director Mark Torres. “When kids can participate in or appreciate the arts, they gain experiences that can last a lifetime and they’re much more well-rounded. A show like ‘Anne of Green Gables’ is also great for parents, many of whom remember reading Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novels as children themselves,” he said.

Based on the beloved turn-of-the-century children’s novel, “Anne of Green Gables” tells the story of Anne Shirley, a fiery, redheaded orphan sent to live on a farm in rural Prince Edward Island.

First published in 1908, “Anne of Green Gables” has been translated into more than 40 languages. Montgomery published more than 20 novels in her lifetime, most written for children.

The creative team responsible for bringing “Anne of Green Gables” to life includes director Laura Schutzel, set designer Nicole Coppinger, lighting designer Karen Hornberger and costume designers Gabriella D’Italia and Ginger Phelps.

Courtney Bell of Maryland, as Anne Shirley, is making her Penobscot Theatre debut this summer, and also will appear in the Shakespeare Festival’s productions of “Richard III” and “The Tempest.” The cast of “Anne of Green Gables” includes Lynn Berg, Sarah Valentine, Hannah J. Barth, Joshua Browns, Jacqueline Davies, John Morton, Jeff Pagliano, Jessica Rosenblatt and Susan Reardon.

The production is supported by WLBZ 2 as season sponsor, the City of Bangor, The Phenix Inn and Eastern Maine Technical College as Festival sponsors, Northeast Cardiology Associates as production underwriter, and the Bangor Daily News. Additional support is provided by Rose Marie and Ted Curtis as show sponsors.

For ticket information, call 942-3333 or visit the box office at 131 Main St., noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Information is also available on the Web at MaineShakespeare.org.