Darling orphan Annie is famous for singing about the hope tomorrow holds. Yet this article is about the amazing singing (and acting) that graced the NDP stage February 8 and 9, when our very own Middle Level girls took on the roles of Annie and other beloved characters from the classic play.
Annie, Jr. was a delightful play that packed some awesome performances in a shorter than usual amount of time. Sixth grader Lucy Laudeman shone as the title character Annie, an orphan determined to be reunited with her parents. Annie lives in an orphanage for girls run by the bitter and cruel Miss Hannigan (played by Lilly O’Mara). After two failed escape attempts, relief comes in the form of Grace Farrell (eighth grade student Miranda Muffoletto), secretary to billionaire Oliver Warbucks. Mr. Warbucks, played by eighth grader Noelani Won in a bald cap, wants to invite an orphan into his mansion for Christmas, and Annie is only too happy to oblige.
Though she is happy with Warbucks, Annie still hasn’t given up on her parents. Putting aside his thoughts of adopting her, Warbucks offers a $50,000 dollar reward to Annie’s parents. This reward is enough to tempt Miss Hannigan’s criminal brother Rooster (eighth grader Juliet Tretler) and his gal pal Lily (Anna Thrush) into pretending to be Annie’s parents, with the help of Miss Hannigan. They almost get away with it, but the jig is up on Christmas Day. It’s a happy ending: the orphans are free from Miss Hannigan’s tyranny, Annie finds a family with Mr. Warbucks, and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt thinks up his New Deal.
And, of course, this review would not be complete without a mention about the canine star of the show. Molly, the labradoodle of senior Emily McCarthy, proved to be the perfect Sandy. Adorably well-mannered, she may have stolen a scene (and heart) or two. During one performance of “Tomorrow,” Molly sat on Annie’s lap, earning a laugh from the audience and backstage.
Overall, this play was fun to watch. The actors, girl and canine, rocked the stage and made the characters their own. Though tomorrow may have held hope for Annie, the play proved to be a fun night for all.
