Annie to open Friday at Rogers City Theater
Weeks of practice have nearly ended as the Rogers City Drama Club production of ?Annie? is set to take the stage Friday. The cast includes some 50 elementary and high school-age performers who have dedicated much of the last month to becoming a cohesive cast of actors, singers, and dancers. The play is directed by RCHS teacher Bryan Mills who brought plays the ?Sound of Music?, ?Fiddler on the Roof,? ?Guys and Dolls?, ?Godspell? and others to the stage in recent years.
This is the second production to grace the new stage of the Rogers City Theater, the first being a Rogers City version of ?Grease, directed by RCHS senior Megan Marx, earlier this year. THE NEW STAGE, renovated by Rogers City Theater owner Karl Heidemann, provides an excellent venue to enjoy a live theater production, with the sound system enhanced to provide great coverage throughout the auditorium and a great view to be had from every seat in the house. The play is set for Friday and Saturday at 7 p. m. as well as May 14, 15 at 7 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 16.
Mills has assembled a fine cast, with Paige Lewandowski in the role of Annie, Morgan Suszek as Oliver Warbucks, Miranda Bredow as Miss Hannigan, Deanna Dimick as Grace, James Bruning as Rooster Hannigan, and Nicole Grulke as Lily. Rachael Keffer, who plays an orphan named Jessie, will play Annie on the May 14 and 15 performances, switching roles with Paige Lewandowski on those nights.
More orphans include Heather Hentkowski who plays Molly, Julia Lewandowski as Pepper, Juliann LaBar as Duffy, Brittany Cuipka as July, and Linnea Brege who plays Kate. Annie?s dog Sandy is portrayed by Thunder, and trained by Jim Connell.
OTHER ORPHANS include Nicole Bannasch, Samantha Bober, Brogan Brege, Ashley Budnik, Jackie Gilmet, Abbey Idalski, Christine Klump, Meagan Koss, Makenzie Kuznicki, Kelleigh Lamb, Anna Lehman, Rebecca Meredith, Logan Schuiteman, Rebecca Talaske and Kelly Vogelheim. Other cast members include Mike Idalski, Mike Breg
Director Mills will help Don Dimick on the soundboard. Stage managers are Lucy Kamyszek and Joan Lehman while Danielle Carter and Krystal Haske will run the lights. Heather Pines choreographed the show. Carol Radka is in charge of the programs while Riconda Lamb serves as costume director.
THE SET CREW includes Jim Connell, Don Dimick, Cathy Gilmet, Karl Heidemann, Lori Leow, Alison Marx, Carol Radka and Tom Radka. The costume crew is Paula Cuipka, Jessica Claus, Darla Fleming, Laura Hentkowski, Terri Koss, Joan Lehman, Kathy Rhew and Sharon Meredith. Hair and make-up will be done by Sharon Meredith, Lynn Radka and Deb Schuiteman. The play, based on the familiar story of Little Orphan Annie and her cheery quest to find her real parents, is from the book by Thomas Meehan. Charles Strouse wrote the music for lyrics by Martin Charnin.