Leapin' Lizards! "Annie" Comes to SMS Auditorium This Weekend

Brigid Nance as Annie.

Washington County Theatre (WCT) will present the popular musical “Annie” on August 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and on August 24 at 2:30 p.m. at the Richard Trueblood Performing Arts Center (the Salem Midde School Auditorium). For decades, audiences of all ages have been inspired by the story of the brave, curly-headed orphan who stands up to evil and teaches others to dream about tomorrow. 

The “Little Orphan Annie” comic strip became popular in newspapers across the United States during the Roaring Twenties, but the character didn’t originate with cartoonist Harold Gray. Gray was inspired by a poem written in the late 1800s about “Little Orphant Annie,” who punished evildoers. Interestingly, John-Boy Walton reads the poem to his younger siblings in an early episode of the television show “The Waltons” in an effort to influence them to be good. 

Gray’s cartoon character in the bright red dress became the subject of a radio drama series in the 1930s, and filmmakers quickly jumped on the bandwagon with their versions—there have been at least five “Annie” movies over the years. In 1977, the Broadway musical “Annie” burst onto stages all over the world with its toe-tapping melodies, dazzling choreography, and showstopping numbers. Yet, the core character of Annie has remained the same, and her persevering, plucky spirit prevails time and again. 

WCT’s production of “Annie” kicks off the theatre group’s 45^th season. WCT President Daniel Main serves as music director for the show and said the orphan’s story taps into feelings everyone shares.

“The dream lives on because who doesn’t think about getting rich quick or winning the lottery? Even for adults, the story of Annie going from nothing to being part of the richest family in the world makes it a compelling story. Even someone who’s not especially a theater person will be familiar with the songs and have fun along with everyone on stage,” Main explained.

Carrie Chastain as Ms. Hannigan.

Annie (played by Brigid Nance) dreams of finding her birth parents and fantasizes about what they must be like. She’s sure they will come to the orphanage and claim her someday. Oliver Warbucks (played by Daniel Main) decides that hosting an orphan in his home would boost his public image, and Annie comes into his life. 

Meanwhile, evil orphanage director Miss Hannigan (Carrie Chastain) schemes with her shady brother, Rooster (Jacob Dufour), and his girlfriend, Lily St. Regis (Charity Main), to swindle Warbucks, who is offering a reward if Annie’s true parents are found.

Also featured in the cast are Rachel Dufour as Grace Farrell, Warbucks’s secretary. Jason Potts plays President Roosevelt, Darren Hurst is Judge Brandise, and Brooks Deaton is taking on the roles of both Ickes and Drake. Rebecca McKinley plays Perkins, Nathan Smith is Hull and Jimmy Johnson, Derek Jameson plays both Morganthau and Lieutenant Ward, and Chelsea Cobb plays Howe and an Usherette. 

Music director Daniel Main conducts the show's finale, "A New Deal for Christmas".

Kayla Seybold portrays housekeeper Mrs. Greer, and McKenna Hedrick is the cook, Mrs. Pugh, as well as one of the singing Boylan Sisters. The roles of Cecille and “Star to Be” are played by Anistyn Sizemore, and Annette is played by Juneau Main. Darren Hurst is Bundles, Daniel Miner is Bert Healy, and Jace Canada plays the three roles of Fred McCracken, Wacky, and a policeman. The other Boylan Sisters are Rosie Morehous, Juneau Main, Kenzie Engleman, Lilly Dufour, and Grace Snyder.

Orphan Molly is played by Brylee Berg, and Phoebe Ferguson plays orphan Pepper. Kinley Spencer is Duffy, and Gracie Morehous plays July. Norah Baker is Tessie, and Sesley Cole plays Kate.

Brigid Nance got to shave Daniel Main's head with the help of Juneau Main in front of the cast as a reward for pre-selling the most tickets.

The following children make up the Orphan Ensemble: Aubrey Berg, Abigail Branaman, Ameliah Camp, Skyla Chase, Payton Cole, Aislynn Compton, Olivia Cunningham, Braelyn Cupp, Myalynn Davis, Maya Givan-Coots, Catie Haag, Charleigh Hampton, Paisley Hoke, Hayley Hurst, Alissa Hutt, Sumer Irwin, Emma Jackson, Ava Jetter, Chesney Lawrence, Mia Long, Dawson McKinley, Scarlett Morgan, Cloee Motsinger, Riley Mueller, Emma Neafus, Savannah Rose, Emmy Russell, Grayson Russell, Mady Russell, Sophia Setser, Dahlia Scifres, Kiki Snelling, Karen Souder, Timothy Souder, Scout Storms, Julie Stroud, Katie Stroud, Paisley Sullivan, Eleanor Sutherland, and William Sutherland.

Actors in the Hooverville Ensemble are Chelsea Cobb, Darren Hurst, Toby Ferguson, Rebecca McKinley, Sierra Reed, Callie Robbins, Nathan Smith, Adam Snelling, Grace Snyder, Sorin Strickland, Grant Waters, Alex Wilde, Brecklyn Wilde, and Grace Wilde.

The Servant Ensemble is comprised of Jace Canada, Patience Candill, Lilly Dufour, Kenzie Engleman, McKenna Hedrick, Ariana Jackson, Juneau Main, Daniel Miner, Estin Roop, Anistyn Sizemore, and Langston Sparkman.

The “NYC” and “New Deal for Christmas” Ensembles are made up of Jace Canada, Patience Candill, Chelsea Cobb, Brooks Deaton, Lilly Dufour, Kenzie Engleman, Toby Ferguson, McKenna Hedrick, Darren Hurst, Ariana Jackson, Derek Jameson, Juneau Main, Rebecca McKinley, Daniel Miner, Sierra Reed, Callie Robbins, Estin Roop, Kayla Seybold, Anistyn Sizemore, Nathan Smith, Adam Snelling, Grace Snyder, Langston Sparkman, Sorin Strickland, Grant Waters,  Alex Wilde, Brecklyn Wilde, and Grace Wilde.

Mark Carter and Tara Kritzer co-direct.

Tickets for “Annie” performances may be purchased at the Salem Apothecary through August 21. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Children four and under are free. Doors open a half-hour before each show, and no reservations are needed. Part of Salem Middle School, the Richard Trueblood Performing Arts Center is located at 1001 N. Harrison Street in Salem. For more information, call 812-620-3701.