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SWNCTA's 'Annie' shines
The moment the overture for "Annie" started, the latest offering from the Southwest Nebraska Community Theater Association (SWNCTA), and I heard the beginning strains of "Tomorrow," I knew I was in the right place for a jolly good time.
The plot of "Annie" is full of the kind of action that makes a musical fun to watch: it's 1934, FDR is in the White House, and orphanages are common-place. The plot takes off as an orphan escapes from an orphanage/finds dog/loses dog; finds benefactor/almost loses benefactor/gets benefactor. And there is a lot to watch (and to listen to). The show opens in a particularly noxious orphanage run by Miss Hannigan (Sheryl Havens) and populated by a gaggle of talented orphans (Lindi Johnson, Allison Johnson, Karlie Sines, Shelby Stevens, Kassidy Michaelis and JoAnn Neel) who sing and dance their way through some very lively and entertaining numbers. Among the orphans is Annie, played by Olivia Taylor, who is surely lying about her age (10). Her voice is amazing and carries with it the range and understanding of a much older performer. Her songs are strong, as is her performance as Annie. Her companion, Sandy, seemed to be having more fun than anyone on the stage when I attended the Sunday rehearsal. Played by Buddy, Sandy is a delight.
Miss Hannigan is just a hoot. Sheryl Havens seems to be having a great deal of fun with this evil character, slugging down booze, sitting with her feet on a table, and singing some terrific songs. She sneers her way through "Little Girls," with just the right gusto to make it a winner. And hang on to your hats as she teams with Emily Leising (Lily St. Regis) and Charles Coleman (Rooster) for "Easy Street."
Emily Leising is delightful as one of the evil-doers, even if she seems a bit too sweet to be the floozy, Lily St. Regis. Charles Coleman was absent from the rehearsal, so I didn't get a chance to see him in the show.
The plot introduces us to a billionaire, Oliver Warbucks (John Havens), who wants to entertain an orphan for Christmas. His able assistant, Grace Farrell (JeriLynn Karr) brings Annie to the mansion. Both are seasoned performers and give excellent performances. Their musical numbers show off their nicely honed voices to their best. John's Daddy Warbucks is gruff but gentle, and JeriLynn's Grace is properly officious and attentive to detail. And it's nice to see Cheryl Scott being given more to do.
The supporting cast is well-directed and very capable. A scene at a radio station with Bert Healy (Maury Green) is very well done, and the three Boylan Sisters (Ronnie, Connie and Bonnie), played by Sue Ankersen, Christy Stevens and Robin Marks, are delightful and their number is lively and very professional.
The costumes, (Costume Director, Janet Kool, assisted by Kay Flaska, Sheryl Havens, Gloria Cotton, Nancy Fitzgerald and Jerda Garey) are authentic-looking and very appropriate. The set, designed by Dian Trail and constructed by Chuck Trail (assisted by John Clesson, Sarah Craw, Phil Goodenberger, Greg Hepp, Nancy Fitzgerald, Connie Kleckner, Jack Stevens and Ray Walter), is very colorful and versatile. There are fourteen scene changes, and six different settings in the production. The back stage crew does an admirable job of manipulating this large and complicated set. The Trails are old pros at this kind of work, and the set looks very good. Ivy Stritt and Janet Hepp handle the props very capably, and what a prop-heavy show this is!
The orchestra, under the direction of Kathy Latta, is excellent. Marie Coffey, Darrin Karr, Amanda McCarty, Lonnie Weyeneth, Nathaniel Frank, Lori Hilker and Russ Ankersen, provide the kind of accompaniment SWNCTA audiences have come to expect -- top-notch music.
With a cast of 31 (OK - 32), Director Christy Stevens had her hands full, but she, with the help of Assistant Director Sue Ankersen, put together a solid production, and the choreography, by Robin Marks and Assistant Choreographer Keri Ohlson, is fun to watch. It's the kind of choreography that makes the dancers shine.
One of the most delightful songs in the show tells us that we're "never fully dressed without a smile." When I left the rehearsal on Sunday, I was most definitely "fully dressed."
"Annie" runs March 19, 20 and 21 and March 26, 27 and 28 at the McCook High School auditorium. The evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and the two Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m.
The full cast includes:
Molly -- Lindi Johnson
Pepper -- Allison Johnson
Duffy -- Karlie Sines
July -- Shelby Stevens
Tessie -- Kassidy Michaelis
Kate -- JoAnn Neel
Annie -- Olivia Taylor
Miss Hannigan -- Sheryl Havens
Grace Farrell -- JeriLynn Karr
Oliver Warbucks -- John Havens
Drake/ Radio Announcer -- Mark Carman
Rooster/Wacky -- Charles Coleman
Lily St. Regis -- Emily Leising
Bundles/Hull/Judge Brandeis -- Jim Coady
Dog Catcher/Lt. Ward/Morgantheau -- Tim Miller
Dog Catcher's Asst./Eddie/Servant/Howe -- Mike Gapp
Apple Seller/Jimmy Johnson -- Chandler Wagner
Mrs. Greer -- Tiffany Gapp
Sophie/Mrs. Pugh -- Cheryl Scott, Keri Ohlson
Cecille -- Karrie O'Brien
Annette -- Chris Messinger
Servant/Marine -- Phil Clay
Star-to-Be/SFX -- Rachel Gordine
Usherette/SFX -- Madisyn Garcia
Bert Healy/Ickes/Servant -- Maury Green
Ronnie Boylan -- Sue Ankersen
Connie Boylan -- Christy Stevens
Bonnie Boylan -- Robin Marks
Franklin Delano Roosevelt -- Dan Stevens
Perkins -- Greg Hepp
Sandy -- Buddy