HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-06-19, Page 15tine 19, 1996
Local girls just wanna have fun in Annie musical
Huron Country Playhouse opens its 25th season with the energetic performance
O R A N D• t E N D
Gates open 8:45p.W
show 9:45pant.
Adults $65o
youtb-senior $4.
C7blldren $1.
1.840-3954819
By Brenda Berke
T -A Reporter
GRAND BEND - "Why any kid would want to be an orphan. I'll never know," crones Miss
Hannigan, head of the orphanage 11 -year-old Annie escapes from through the love and generosity of
wealthy Oliver Warbucks.
But why any kid would want to play the part of one of Annie's orphan friends is obvious to 11
local girls aged 8 to 13.
"Everybody asked me for my autograph," explained Lindsay Muller, of Crediton, adding she also
enjoys the chance to dance on stage.
Her sister, Heidi, likes the fact she's made new friends 'at rehearsals.
"They're so enthusiastic," said their mother, Sue, adding Annie is the first
production they've been involved in.
"I can't believe they're still this keen...When they come home they're still
singing the songs."
There's only one way to describe the singing, and in fact, the production as
a whole during opening night last Wednesday - strong, flawless and full of energy. In contrast to the
quiet start at the beginning of the first scene, it wasn't long before the orphan choir belted out a
polished version of classic songs such as Haid Knock Life, and later in Act Two, You're Never Fully
Dressed Without a Smile.
The entire cast, directed and choreographed by Playhouse Artistic Director Max Ri imer, puts on a
consistent performance full of vitality and humor. Miss Hannigan, played by Mary Pin, and Oliver
Warbucks, played by Jan Pilips, are key actors who, with the help of Annie, performed by Londoner
Sharai-Ann Ross -Laney, pride wit and warmth. Miss Hannigan is hilarious with her grouchy 'old hag'
charm and the role of Daddy Warbucks is well cast as Pilips' voice and charisma boom across the
Eleven local gids play orphans in the Huron Country Playhouse production of Annie,
which runs until June 29. From left, Sarah Carter and Meghan O'Rourke, both of Dash-
wood, Thea Britton, Grand Bend, Kristy Pinder, Exeter, Rachel Gilbert, Ilderton, Tiffany
Thompson, Exeter, Heidi Muller, Crediton, Hilda Steele and Amy Shapton, Exeter, Lindsay
Muller and Lisa Johnson, Crediton.
Barney, the skate-
boarding dog, was the
subject of a human in-
terest story featured
Friday on Global's
News at Noon. Report-
er
eporter Terry Culbert first
met Bamey and his
best friend Chris Skal-
kos when he was in
town working on a sto-
ry about Trivitt Memori-
al Church. Skalkos
took the opportunity to
teach Exeter Public
School students the
importance of using
protective gear while
cycling, rollerblading
and of course, skate-
boarding.
•
"You don't have to be nice to the people on the way up if you're not coming
back down," he mused at one point while describing his career.
And the role of Annie is played by Sharai-Ann with unique bubbly
enthusiasm that spills onto characters around her.
In her fifth performance, Hilda Steele, of Exeter, plays orphan Kate. She was
also chosen as the understudy or substitute for the role of Annie.
'The hardest part is keeping the parts straight," said Hilda the afternoon before
opening night, adding, "There's a lot of kids and it's going to be a lot of fun."
Excused from school in May, some of the girls are continuing their
schoolwork at home between rehearsals and performances.
Exeter resident Debbie Hall, for example, doesn't mind devoting time at home
toieach her daughter, Tiffany, who, with acting experience in school plays behind her, cites "singing
and dancing" as her favorite parts of Annie.
"Seeing yourown child up there (on stage) is really neat," said Hall.
;Kim Pinder, also of Exetet watched her daughter, Kristy, practice for Annie in her third acting
e$perience; she could sense the anticipation building in the two of them.
"She's been talking about it for two months," she said. "She's really enjoying this one."
"This time I have my own lines," added Kristy, who is also performing her first speaking role.
The girls' mothers seem to have one thing in common; they believe the show provides their
dafnghters with a great opportunityto get involved in local theatre and meet new friends.
trot. eight-year-old Lisa Johnson, oTCrediton, the youngest of the orphan actresses, what she likes
t about her first-time acting experience in the musical is "meeting other people that I never knew
ore."
umorod to have fallen asleep once during rehearsal, her mother, Sharon said, "She's just loving
• '"It's a big commitment but the kids really benefit from it," said Dashwood resident Gwen O'Rourke.
:Referring to her first performance, her daughter, Meghan, described the musical as "fun." Her
response to the prospect of getting out of school in Maj?
"That's lots of fun."
Some parents Mentioned the benefits of working in a professional theatre.
"They get to see there's more to acting than just the part that's on the stage," said Josy Britton, of
Qrfind Bend, who helps supervise the girls
ba§age.
Her, daughter, Thea, has been in five
other local performances, four of which
we're at the Playhouse.
'°It's really gtept experience to work in
4o eciccting. It's jUst'what I do." -
"It's. different than what you imagine,"
added Mamie Shapton, of Exeter. "It's not
all glamol...It's a wonderful opportunity."
Although her daughter, Amy, admitted
she was "kind of nervous" just before the
opening night of her first show, she liked
"the excitement" the musical brings.
It's the kind of excitement that spreads
to theatre lovers of all ages.
"It's for the whole family," said Sarah
Carter, of Dashwood. A former munchkin
in the Wizard of Oz, she now looks
forward to playing one of Annie's friends.
"It's got a really good story to it...It's
about orphans."
NOW OPEN!
•
ICES 1111
EXETER UC.LLB>
COMI IN ANI)
i,\I(I A took!
Our classy friendly atmosphere is
a great place for friends to meet
Liquor Licence Coming Soon!
• Sou • s • Salads • Sandwiches
MUSIC FROM 11
A.M. TILL 2 A.M.
NEW COIN OPERATED POOL. EQUIPMENT
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