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'Annie' coming to Prairie Center in Schaumburg next two weekends

The theatrical production of the musical "Annie" is being brought to life the next two weekends at the Prairie Center for the Arts by Schaumburg On Stage, a Northwest suburbs theater company for young actors.

"Annie" is the rags-to-riches story of a young girl's travel from the Municipal Girls Orphanage to the Warbuck's Mansion with all the excitement 1930s New York City has to offer. SOS, now in its 18th season and 29th production, will be presenting "Annie" from Jan. 23-Feb. 1 at 201 Schaumburg Court in Schaumburg.

The cast ranges in age from 6 to 21 years and has been rehearsing since October for this show featuring everything from Depression-era homelessness in New York to the glamour of Broadway and the Radio City Hall Rockettes.

Carolyn Calbeck, 11, of St. Charles, and Gianna Catania, 12, of Elk Grove Village, share the title role of Annie in this glamorous production featuring more than 100 actors, singers and dancers. Big-hearted Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks stars Carson Walker, 17, of Palatine and Brad Wendt, 18, of South Elgin. Hannah Lullo, 16, of Roselle and Emily Miller, 17, of Schaumburg share the role of the orphan-hating Miss Hannigan, and Jackie Podgorny, 18, of Inverness and Gina Robertelli, 17, of Bloomingdale, co-star in the role of Grace Farrell, Oliver Warbuck's secretary and eventual love interest.

Rounding out the cast of lead characters are Connor Murray, 16, of Bartlett, and Jimmy Romano, 16, of Bloomingdale, as Miss Hannigan's shiftless brother, Rooster; Kelly Benoit, 17 of Bartlett and Jamie Podgorny, 18, of Inverness, as Rooster's ditsy blonde girlfriend, Lily St. Regis; and John Hipolito, 19, of Bartlett, as Warbuck's faithful butler, Drake.

The production is lead by producers Carol Lynch and Kerrie Noah and directors/choreographers Colleen Lynch and Danielle Zyrkowski. The musical director is John Hacker.

Other cast members by town are:

Addison: Miabella DiGrazia

Arlington Heights: Julia Bostrom

Barrington: Kelly Cagney, Kevin Cagney, Lilly Hurlock, Samantha Murphy, Emma Nelson, Hannah Sullivan, DD Sutker, Megan Warner

Bartlett: Bella Cwik, Gia Daubenmire, Rowan Daubenmire, Colleen Fleming, Katie Jackovin, Angela McManamon, Rachel Montesano, Danielle Neer, Madison Neer, Jenna Rajewski, Madison Roden

Bloomingdale: Maggie Fuchs, Gabriel Lauritzen

Buffalo Grove: Molly Pinta

Carpentersville: Alexa Kennedy, Sophia Kennedy

Chicago: Gia Mango

Deer Park: Rose Davenport

Elk Grove Village: Ted Dernekxis, Molly Mcfadden, Kaylee Ralls, Nicki Spangler, Kelsey Welch, Abby Wilger, Ariel Williams

Hanover Park; Emma Davenport

Hawthorn Woods: Eden Plotsky, Abigail Rychlik

Hoffman Estates: Natalie Betz, Amy Hammond, Kate Hammond, Ashleigh Jarvis-Flinn, Gianna LoCascio, Riley Parla, Sarah Pierce, Asia Williams

Inverness: Mariah Goluch

Long Grove: Mia Staub

Medinah: Sam Marino

North Barrington: Celine Hatherly, Sean Hatherly

Park Ridge: Courtney Miller

Roselle: Ashley Borgman, Gabrielle Clemetsen, Jacqueline Clemetsen, Anthony Irsuto, Kendall Pearson, Antoinette Ricchio

South Barrington: Alexis Caviles, Alexander Garcia, Lexi Garcia, Maya Patel

Schaumburg: Molly Barnes, Micah Bates, Brian Burke, Kayle Burns, Renee Calhoun, Kaitlyn Chiostri, Lexus Gruszka, Saahil Gupte, Saanvi Gupte, Michele Gurrieri, Luke Koelikamp, Raquel Loperena, Maddie Melbourn, Cassidy Murphy, Kate Musni, Audrey Rose, Sophia Salatino, Chloe Venner, Margie Vollkommer, Mia Vollkommer, Myrin Vollkommer, Olivia Zimmerman

Streamwood: Alex Kiss, Samantha Kiss

West Dundee: Gwyneth Wiebenga

  The orphans sing during the dress rehearsal for "Annie" at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Molly, played by Sarah Pierce, left, and Annie, played by Gianna Catania perform during the dress rehearsal for "Annie" at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Sarah Pierce, center, plays the part of Molly during the dress rehearsal for "Annie" at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Annie, played by Gianna Catania, encounters street boys played by Myrin Vollkommer, middle, and Luke Koelikamp during the dress rehearsal for "Annie" at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  The orphans sing "It's a Hard Knock Life" during the dress rehearsal for "Annie" at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  "Hooverville" residents sing during the dress rehearsal for "Annie" at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com

If you go

What: "Annie"

When: 7 p.m. Jan. 23, 24, 30 and 31; 1 p.m. Jan. 24, 25, 31 and Feb. 1

Where: Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court

Tickets: ShowTix4u.com, or (866) 967-8167

Cost: $17* online, $18 at the door; organized group rate for 10 or more $14*

Information and group purchases: Schaumburg On Stage, (847) 345-0092, or www.schaumburgonstage.org

* Service fee

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