[NEohioPAL] Review of "Annie" at GLTG

[Bob Abelman]

Director, cast help GLTG achieve topnotch 'Annie' 

 

Bob Abelman

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

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This review appeared in the News-Herald 9/18/09

 

Annie has been known to cause cavities and inspire bouts of diabetes with its sugar-sweet optimism, candy-coated depiction of the Great Depression, and gumdrop of a message-"The sun will come out tomorrow."

 

But, gosh darn it, in the hands of a creative director and talented cast and crew, this up-beat musical confection with lyrics by Martin Charmin and Sunday comic-inspired text by Thomas Meehan can be genuinely good entertainment.

 

Such is the case with the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild production.

 

Annie tells the tale of an orphaned, redheaded ragamuffin who, if she had a glass to call her own, would see it as half full.  She is rescued from a New York City orphanage and its gin-swilling, nare-do-well proprietor Miss Hannigan by the billionaire industrialist Oliver Warbucks.  The adorable, head-strong Annie leaves a trail of goodness in her wake, bringing hope and joy to those who cross her path and come-upance to those who wish her or her fellow urchins harm.

 

A Broadway hit in the 1970s and 1980s, the show enjoyed a recent New York revival, has been turned into a film and Disney-produced made-for-TV movie, and is on perpetual national tour.

 

It is also a favorite among community theaters, which often operate under the false assumption that this show is fool-proof.  Many believe that the only requirement for success is a parade of adorable little girls reciting the songs, a handful of well-intended adults walking through the dialogue, cardboard sets and a dog.  

 

Pierre-Jacques Brault, artistic director of the Mercury Summer Stock Theatre in Parma and director/choreographer of GLTG's production of Annie, knows better.  He brings with him a creative vision for the show that fully embraces all that was big, broad and sassy in the Broadway revival production, which manifests itself in the staging, in the choreography and in every actor's performance.  

 

This vision is shared by scenic designer Sean Thompson who, on two revolving platforms, has constructed detailed halves of the orphanage, the streets of NYC and the Warbucks mansion that quickly and seamlessly rotate into place to form the complete sets.  Behind them is a black and white skyscape of landmark buildings, creating a highly stylized sense of time and place.   Behind that is the orchestra on a raised platform.  

 

Brault also brings to the GLTG production an eye for young talent.  He has found himself the definitive Annie in Rachel Lane.  Adorable and gifted, this young lady takes control of the stage and appears quite comfortable doing so.  The gaggle of orphans-Sarah DiFiore, Emma Drake, Ona Martini, Chloe Porter, Catherine Zickert, and a scene-stealing 5 ½-year-old named Kayleigh Collins-are uniformly delightful.  They effortlessly manage all of Brault's clever choreography and light up the stage.  

 

The adult cast consists of experienced performers, many of whom come from Brault's  wonderful summer stock productions.  The show's trio of evil-doers-Miss Hannigan, Rooster and Lily-are played with just the right amount of over-the-top flair and humor by Kelvette Beacham , Dan DiCello and Jen Myor, respectively.  Christopher Fortunato does a fine turn as FDR.  The ensemble is finely-tuned and brings incredible energy to the show.

 

Looking the part but lacking the confidence and bravado of a Depression-era industrialist is Michael Rogan as hard-headed but soft-hearted Oliver Warbucks.

 

Stepping into a role she was made for, Allison Lehr plays Warbucks' demure secretary Grace Farrell with grace and charm.  She is immediately accessibility and a delight to watch.  

 

Only three pieces comprise the orchestra, which is too few to offer the richness this production deserves. Still, they sound great under Meghan Strong's direction.

 

This is a fun, fast-paced and highly disciplined rendition of Annie that is brimming with talent.  There is never a dull or uninteresting moment and the saccharine moral this play delivers comes across as earnest and heartfelt.   

 

The Geauga Lyric Theatre Guild has opened its 2009-2010 season with a winner.

 

"Annie" runs through October 4 (8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays), at the Geauga Theater, 101 Water Street, Chardon.  Tickets, which range from $15 to $18, can be obtained by calling 440-286-2255 or visiting www.geugatheater.org.
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