We all know the song – some might even cringe at the dim memory of a pint-sized orphan belting it out to all of New York – but the sun will come out at Grace Lutheran Church on Aug 18-26 for its performance of Annie Jr., the heartfelt story of a young orphan awaiting the return of her parents while under the care of a selfish orphanage director.
The production follows a two week performing arts camp, where the kids rehearsed from 9 a.m. to 3p.m. every day in preparation. Annie Jr. will feature dancing, live singing, and a 35 plus member cast, the biggest the camp has seen yet.
“It’s months of planning,’ said Marina Tidwell, director of Annie Jr. and previous camp productions. She continued, “I usually start in January or February. It really is like a musical theatre boot camp.”
Cast members hail from all walks of life: elementary school all the way to high school, the youngest cast member at seven years old, the oldest being 16.
Bailey Clark stars as Annie, alongside Gabe Danko as Daddy Warbucks, Sarah Moss as Ms. Hannigan, and Claire Skelley as Warbucks’ assistant Grace Farrel.
Past shows at Grace include last year’s “The Big Bad Musical,” “A Year with Frog and Toad,” and “The Wind in the Willows.”
During its dual weekend run, Annie Jr. will perform two Saturdays (18 and 25) at 7 p.m. and two Sundays (19 and 26) at 2 p.m. It’s a guaranteed treat for the whole family.