Students stage Annie Jr. this week
The shimmer of Times Square is coming to Somers Middle School, Friday, November 2, at 6:30pm and Saturday, November 3, at 2pm.
In its second season, Somers Middle School Theater presents Annie Jr., the classic rags to riches tale of one orphan’s heartwarming quest to find a home. Annie (Bethany Nairn) is a streetwise orphan whose tough demeanor masks tenderness and hope for a better future. Dreaming of her parents, Annie is flanked by an ensemble of fun-loving, often mischievous orphan girls (Gracyne Johnson, Ali Putzler, Charis Wendle, Oaklie Breslin, Clara Haag, Mary Beard, Eden West, and Katelyn Thompson). Meanwhile, Miss Hannigan (Isabella Parrott), a cruel orphanage steward, looms threateningly as a reminder of the orphans’ stifled dreams.
Annie is plucked from this hard-knock life at the orphanage when the richest man in New York City, Oliver Warbucks, invites her to his mansion for Christmas. Led by Grace Farrell (Cassie Cattron), Warbucks’ indefatigable secretary, to the Warbucks’ mansion, Annie warms Warbucks’ soft spot for helping the unfortunate. Surprised by her new luxurious lifestyle, Annie charms the mansion servants (Bailey Newton, Alana Wilcox, Emma Maxeiner, Bailey Chollman, Kayla Mcconkey, and Dublin Carter). However, Hannigan’s scheming brother Rooster (Jordan Shallcross) and shrewd girlfriend Lilly (Eranae McDowell) hatch their own get-rich-quick plot and pull Annie from her newfound happiness. In a heartwarming story with all of the classics of the original Broadway show, Annie Jr. illustrates the value of opening your heart to new friends and family.
Additional roles are played by Ian Lawson-Sanderlin, Kennadi and Mikayla Iten, Daniel Reyes, Collin Olson, Marley Bain, Aiden Mckay, Kaedyn Strash, Chance Barker, Riley Adams, and Rhiannon McGuire. Mason Derrick and Jacob Wolf-Fort compose crew.
Although numerous hours and fathomless energy have been put into this captivating show, the student performers and crew have learned more valuable lessons than how to act or manage lights. “I learned that it's okay to make mistakes at first because they help you learn and grow,” seventh-grader Jordan Shallcross commented.
“All of the kids who have decided to do Annie are some of the most brave people I have ever seen. It takes a lot of guts to perform in front of your friends and complete strangers, and all the kids in Annie are willing to do that,” said Isabella Parrot.
Combining 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, the cast brings upbeat energy to the show’s song and dance numbers.
Catch the show Nov. 2 and 3 at Somers Middle School, starting at 6:30pm Friday and 2pm Saturday.
