Vero Voce Theater opens 'Annie Jr.' this weekend
Vero Voce Theater will present "Annie Jr." directed by artistic director David M. Rodriguez, with vocal direction by Dawn Harkins, Vero Voce co-owner and choreography by Jocelyn Adamski. The production features young performers with professional credits and adult actor, Jonathan Witt in the role of Oliver Warbucks.
"We're going for honesty," said director David M. Rodriguez. "I know this story focuses on hope and freedom, but you have to sharpen the darker moments in order for the brightness to be worth it. For example, 'Hard Knock Life' is actually a really depressing notion. Sure, the orphans are defiant and hopeful, but that musical number takes place at four in the morning. Annie was presumably already up cleaning by herself, so these poor kids are forced to defy sleep for the sake of Miss Hannigan's cruelty. Hannigan even beats Annie with a paddle at one point." Rodriguez continues, "You can't gloss over those moments. If they're shown honestly, the audience will cheer for Annie and the others to escape that dreadful place."
Performances will be 7 p.m. Fridays, 4:30 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 6 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 26-March 6, at Vero Voce Theater, 951 State Ave., St. Charles. Tickets are $18, $15 for seniors and students, or $10 for kids.
Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, "Annie," the worldwide phenomenon, was the winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical and is now adapted for young performers in "Annie Jr." The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin features some of the greatest musical theater hits ever written including "Tomorrow".
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find her parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of New York City. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She finds a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
The cast includes Gemma Cohen, Naomi Gustin, Ronnie Gustin, Tim Gustin, Madeline Hotham, Sophie Rodriguez, J.D. Rodriguez of Batavia; Tiffany Johnson of Elburn; Alaina Karner of Elgin; Sydney Hostasa, Hayley Giancaterino, Rachel Tork of Geneva; Jonathan Witt of Naperville; Amelia Faith Hutson, Dana Kave of South Elgin; Abigail Hannah, Evelyn Hannah, Rachel Cornille, Erin Davern, Daniel Hommowun, Maggie King, Maggie Kinney, Molly Kinney, Nadine Miller, Ava Nunes, Genevieve Powell, Madelynn Van Sickle of St. Charles; and Meghan Kiefer, Samantha Manthei of West Chicago.
Vero Voce course offerings include all instruments, voice and theater classes and a full season of adult musical and nonmusical productions and young actors' theater productions. All performances and classes are held in the 7,000-square-foot facility at 951 State Ave., St. Charles.
More information about the many offerings at Vero Voce can be obtained by visiting verovoce.com, or calling (630) 584-0139.