[NEohioPAL] Preview of GLTG's "Annie"

[Bob Abelman]

'Annie' ready to be adopted by you tonight in Geauga

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This preview appeared in the News-Herald 9/11/09

 

Inspiration for a musical can come from anywhere. A poem by T.S. Eliot led to "Cats," an opera by Giacomo Puccini became "Miss Saigon," and the pop music of ABBA morphed into "Mama Mia!" It should come as no surprise that Sunday comic strips also have been tapped for subject matter.

Al Capp's "Li'l Abner" became a musical in 1956. Charles M. Schulz's "Peanuts" went from page to stage as "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" in 1971. Even Garry Trudeau's "Doonesbury" made the transition from black-and-white print to Great White Way entertainment in 1983.

No comic-based creation has been as successful or as adored as the Depression-era musical that features Harold Gray's redheaded ragamuffin and her gang of orphaned urchins.

"Annie" opened on Broadway in 1977, ran for six years, enjoyed a revival 20 years later, has been on perpetual national tour, and has resulted in a film and a Disney-produced made-for-TV movie. This much-beloved musical opens the 2009-10 season for the Geauga Lyric Theatre Guild in Chardon.

The version of the show appearing on the GLTG stage is actually an assemblage of the best of the original Broadway production and the films, notes director Pierre Jacques-Brault.

"The revised script uses different musical arrangements and some updated dialogue," he explains, "but it remains set in the 1930s and is very true to the original story."

Jacques-Brault believes that while the comic strip is a two-dimensional construction, this musical works on multiple levels. It has strong political overtones that adults in the audience will recognize and relate to. It offers optimism and hope. However, "Annie" is first and foremost a family show about the importance of being oneself while finding your place in the world.

"Of course," he adds, "the music is wonderful and very memorable."

It features such hummable tunes as "Tomorrow," "It's the Hard-Knock Life," and "Maybe."

A hallmark of past GLTG family-oriented productions has been an ensemble consisting of a multitude of adorable children. The 2006 production of "The King and I," for example, featured a parade of the King's offspring that added 25 minutes to the show. The local Fire Marshal has recommended an alternative casting strategy for "Annie," noting that a stage full of orphans could be a traffic problem in the case of an emergency. Consequently, according to producer Kristine Thompson, the band of orphans is limited to only seven young ladies, each with a phenomenal voice and distinctive personality.

The title role is being played by 10-year old Rachel Lane of Madison. Other orphans include Sarah DiFiore, Emma Drake, Ona Martini, Chloe Porter, Burton resident Catherine Zickert, and 5  1/2-year-old Kayleigh Collins. Sophie from Chardon will be making her debut as Annie's dog, Sandy.

Jacques-Brault, who is the co-founder and artistic director of Mercury Summer Stock Theatre in Parma, has brought several of his talented featured players to this production. They include Kelvette Beacham as Miss Hannigan, Dan DiCello as Rooster, Jen Myor as Lily St. Regis, and Christopher Fortunato as FDR. Oliver Warbucks and his secretary Grace Farrell will be played by GLTG veterans Michael Rogan and Allison Lehr, respectively.

The sun will come out ... tonight.

Details

What: "Annie."

When: Today through October 4 (8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays).

Where: Geauga Theater, 106 Water St., Chardon.

Tickets: $15 to $18.

Info: 440-286-2255 or www.geugatheater.org.
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