It's summertime again, and Schoolhouse Arts Center is humming the tunes from Thomas Meehan's "Annie," with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. Directed by Michael Hjort, this heartwarming tale begins in an orphanage, run by the terrible, neglectful, and disgruntled Miss Hannigan, played by Eileen Avery. After several failed escape attempts, Annie, played on alternating nights by Nicole Avery and Clara Stickney, is selected by billionaire Oliver Warbucks' (Charles Lomonte) assistant Grace Farrell (Sarah Montalvo) to come spend Christmas with him and his multitude of servants. In a matter of days Annie charms her way into their hearts and Mr. Warbucks decides to adopt his adorable houseguest - but there's one problem. Annie is convinced that her parents are still alive! Warbucks calls a few friends (FDR, played by Bill Montalvo, and J. Edgar Hoover among them) and begins a nationwide search for Annie's parents, promising that if he finds them, Annie may go live with them. Offering a large reward, Daddy Warbucks states that the parents who can present the other half of the locket that Annie has worn since her first day at the orphanage should come to his home in New York at once and claim their baby girl. But Miss Hannigan her brother, Rooster (John Marshall), and his girlfriend Lily (Beth Gaudet) decide that the money should belong to them. They resolve to deceive Oliver Warbucks, kidnap Annie, and claim the reward as their own. Will Daddy Warbucks see through their deception before it's too late? Will Annie ever find her a family of her own? Come find out!
Other cast members include the "rotten orphans" Molly Olsen, Ali Wilkerson, Sydney Hancock, Sage Polk, Cassidy Gaudet, Jackson Marshall, Emily Stickney, Angelica Phipps, Molly Stewart, Leighann Lomonte, Jasmine Harper, Rachel Lloyd, and Maeve Downey.
Barbara Nason, Sumida Sferes, Davelyn Hayes, Katie Eastman, Holly Polk, Dorothy Stickney, Samantha Avery, Elizabeth Phipps, Dennis and Emily Healy, Stacy and Stephanie Farrington, Becca Voinche, and Brett Stewart round out the cast.
Annie Runs July 8 through the 25th with shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30, and Sunday at 5:00. For tickets call 642-3743. Schoolhouse has an air-conditioned theater, and is located on Route 114 in Standish, just beyond the intersection of 114 and 35. It's just 30 minutes from Portland or 15 from Gorham!