[NEohioPAL] Review of "Annie" at Fine Arts Association

[Bob Abelman]

Fine Arts Association turns 'Annie' into fine art 

 

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 on 12/3/10

 

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, which means that many community theater marquees are promoting productions of what has become a holiday staple:  Annie.  

 

The musical is based on the Depression-era comic strip about an optimistic redheaded ragamuffin.  She is rescued from a New York City orphanage and its gin-swilling, ne're-do-well proprietor Miss Hannigan by the billionaire industrialist Oliver Warbucks.  The endearing, head-strong Annie leaves a trail of goodness in her wake, bringing hope and the credo "the sun will come out tomorrow" to those who cross her path, and comeuppance to those who wish her or her fellow urchins harm.

 

Annie is performed often, but it is not often performed well.

 

Many local theaters believe that the only requirements for a sold out run are a parade of adorable little girls belting Charles Strouse and Martin Charmin's up-beat songs, a handful of well-intended community players walking through Thomas Meehan's cartoon caption dialogue, cardboard sets and an adorable dog.  In short, many community theaters believe that the show sells itself.

 

They, unfortunately, are correct, and with expectations so low, community theater productions tend to meet them.  

 

But what about theater goers who have no connection to the cast and expect more?  Where can they find a rendition of Annie that resembles the one that played 2,377 performances on Broadway and won numerous Tony Awards, including Best Musical, in 1977?  Where can a really good Annie be had?

 

That would be the production at the Fine Arts Association in Willoughby.  

 

Director Pierre-Jacques Brault has brought to the FAA an authentic, artful Annie, complete with stellar talent, attention to detail, and the intent to genuinely entertain its audience rather than placate them.  

 

Like so many musical productions, this one rises or falls on the strength of its leading lady. Ashleigh Nagy is the ideal Annie, complete with the perfect voice to effortlessly sell her songs, the acting chops to effectively radiate true emotion, and the stage presence to command attention.   She is surrounded by a talented and spunky corps of orphans (Kayleigh Collins, Samantha Dodd, Erin Donovan, Rachel Lane, Ona Maritini, Casey Wilcox) and still manages to stand out in the crowd.  

                                                        

Other particularly notable performances include Abigail Allwein as Grace, Warbucks' personal assistant. Allwein is thoroughly charming and carries herself with that period flair and energy that is lacking in most productions.  She also carries the ensemble musical numbers with her beautiful soprano voice and lights up the stage with every entrance.

Dan DiCello is a kinder, softer Daddy Warbucks.  While a bit more bluster would be a plus, his gentleness actually makes his scenes with Annie especially moving, his connection with Grace particularly palpable, and his songs-which are sung beautifully-more touching. 

 

The play kicks into a whole new gear when Joe Monaghan as Rooster and Kelly Monaghan as Lily, accomplices to the evil Miss Hannigan, slither onto the stage.  These two gifted performers are so good that they could easily step into these roles in the 35th anniversary Broadway revival in 2012.  Their jazzy "Easy Street" number, which is shared with the dynamic Hester Lewellen as Hannigan, is the show's highlight.

 

In this and other musical numbers, director Brault creates just the right choreography to capture the mood of the music, complement the capabilities of the performers, and generate visually appealing moments one after the next.

 

This attention to detail applies to transitions from one scene to the next.  In most community theatre productions, the audience is left staring at crew clumsily moving things in the dark for what seems an eternity.  Brault makes these transitions seamless, short and interesting, which is facilitated by Ben Needham's simple, very attractive and multi-purpose set design.

 

Music director John Krol works wonders considering that he is only given enough musicians to offer accompaniment rather than full, rich orchestration.   Theater management needs to realize that music is central to musicals and a few more instruments and the people to play them would add so much to a holiday production.  

 

Fine Arts does a truly fine job of bringing the art back to Annie .  Those attending the FAA during the holidays will be getting a new deal for Christmas this year.

 

Annie runs through December 19 at the Fine Arts Association's Corning Auditorium, 38660 Mentor Avenue, Willoughby.  For information or tickets, which are $10 to $25, call 440-951-7500 or visit  www.fineartsassociation.org.
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