Annie Opens Friday!

Photo from Sunday’s rehearsal of Annie! – Click for larger image – Jan Bollwinkel-Smith photo

Twenty-five years after being the first musical presented at San Juan Community Theatre, the much-believed Annie returns to the Whittier for 10 performances from May 9 to 24.

One of the larger productions in the history of the Theatre, the Tony award- winning musical features a cast of 37 (including one island dog, Bogey Maya); an orchestra of 15 musicians; and a crew numbering more than 50 that have helped build and paint sets, make costumes, provide props, and design and manage the play’s sound and lighting.

The Broadway play, which was based on the comic strip character, Little Orphan Annie, (played on our stage by 9-year-old ElseDora Arendt), unfolds in 1933 New York City during the Great Depression, where the young optimistic orphan lives in a dreary orphanage in the tenement section of the city. Other memorable characters include the despicable Miss Hannigan, sweet secretary Grace and millionaire Daddy Warbucks, as well as a ragged group of orphans. And then there’s the beloved music — including Tomorrow, You’re never Fully Dressed Without a Smile and It’s a Hard Knock Life.

Director Susan Williams says while the story and some of the costumes (including Annie’s dress) will be the same as presented in 1989, the scenery will be very different and the orchestra will be much larger.

Multiple islanders who are involved in the current play were also part of the original 1989 SJCT production. Director Susan Williams played Grace; costume designer Anita Welch played Lilly St. Regis; Brad Welch, who is the head of set construction this time around, helped to build the 1989 set; and actor Bert Dayton sings in the company for a second time as well as playing one of the cabinet members in this 25th anniversary edition.

“I thought it would be really fun to honor our past by going back to where we started,” said Williams.

Curtain times for Annie are 7:30 p.m. on May 9, 10, 15-17 and 22-24 and 2:00 p.m. on May 11 and 18.

The Business Partner for the production is Kings Market. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for student reserved and $5 student RUSH at the door. Bargain Night is Thursday, May 15 when tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for student reserved. The SJCT box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased on-line at www.sjctheatre.org.

Photo from Sunday’s rehearsal of Annie! – Click for larger image – Jan Bollwinkel-Smith photo

Photo from Sunday’s rehearsal of Annie! – Click for larger image – Jan Bollwinkel-Smith photo

Photo from Sunday’s rehearsal of Annie! – Click for larger image – Jan Bollwinkel-Smith photo

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