News in Sarasota Florida

The sun'll come out at Venice Theatre on February 16

Annie, the beloved musical based on the comic strip about a spunky depression-era orphan, opens Tuesday, February 16, 2010 on Venice Theatre's MainStage. Directed by Murray Chase and featuring alternating casts of orphans, the production will run through Sunday, March 14, 2010. Performances are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $24 for adults, $12 for students and are on sale now. Discounted rates are available for groups of 20 or more. The production is generously sponsored by TIB Bank.

Annie premiered in 1976 in Connecticut and opened on Broadway soon after in 1977. The original production won the Tony Award for Best Musical and ran for nearly six years. Tours and regional productions have been internationally popular, while the show has become a staple for schools and community theatres. Now-famous actresses including Sarah Jessica Parker and Molly Ringwald have cut their acting teeth in professional productions of Annie. A Hollywood film was released in 1982 followed by the Disney television version in 1999. Venice Theatre last produced the show ten years ago. Director Murray Chase says the theatre chooses to produce Annie about once a decade to give a new generation of girls the experience of performing in (or attending) this classic musical.

The last production at Venice Theatre included a few local actresses that have gone on to further success including Kim Hough, Deniz Hakim and Amber Suleskey. The 2010 cast features Amber Davies and Angela Potier in the title role. Both girls are in 5th grade and each has taken classes through Venice Theatre's Education Department. They are joined on stage by William Czarniak as the billionaire Oliver Warbucks who opens his home - and eventually his heart - to Annie. Lori Chase plays Miss Hannigan, the little-girl-hating head of the orphanage. Colleen Sudduth is Warbucks' secretary Grace Farell. A full cast list follows.

Annie

Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Martin Charnin
Book by Thomas Meehan
Based on the Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie

Production Staff
Director – Murray Chase
Musical Director – Michelle Kasanofsky
Choreographer – Cynthia Ashford
Stage Manager – Linda Kochmit
Technical Director and Lighting Designer – John Andzulis
Scenic Designer – Michael Newton-Brown
Sound Designer – Dorian Boyd
Costume Designer – Nicholas Hartman

Cast
Oliver Warbucks - William Czarniak
Miss Hannigan - Lori Chase
Grace Farrell - Colleen Sudduth
Rooster - Scott Vitale
Lily - Andrea Keddell-Heintz
Drake - Ted Devirgilis
Bundles McCloskey/Harold Ickes - Bob Peters
Mrs. Pugh - Maggi Taylor
Mrs. Greer - Carole R. Litt
Cecille - Kenzie Morgan Balliet
Star to Be - Danielle Brantley
Bert Healy - Steve Crudeur
Francis Perkins - Francine Smetts
Boylen Sisters - Danielle Brantley, Kristen AIinsley Pinkerton, Andrea Haney Poole
Sandy - Nugget
Dog on the Lamb - Bailey
Ensemble - Lynne Doyle, Scarlet “Flower” Pickering, Mike Pisacreta

Orphans Cast 1:
Annie - Amber Davies
Molly - Hannah Arielle Beatt
Kate - Hannah Huber
Tessie - Julia King
July - Emma Clare Bonham
Duffy - Katie Dunn-Rankin
Pepper - Lilianna Solum
April - AlliFuchs
May - Teri DeNiro

Orphans Cast 2:
Annie - Angela Potier
Molly - Ava Podewitz
Kate - Leah Henry
Tessie - Reese Cameron Balliet
July - Haley Rosenthal
Duffy - Savannah Bradley
Pepper - Savannah Ashford
April - Antoinette Gagliano
May - Aly (Alykins) Kozowsk

PHOTO CAPTION
The role of Annie at Venice Theatre will be shared by Angela Potier, left, and Amber Davies, right. The role of Sandy will be played by Nugget, a six-year-old Goldendoodle and certified therapy dog.