‘Annie’ to open at Cranbury School on Thursday.
By: Matthew Kirdahy
Tomorrow may only be a day away, but opening day for the Cranbury School’s spring production of "Annie" is still six days away.
Fifty-two students from the sixth, seventh and eighth grades will perform in the popular musical, which pits a bubbly little girl against an evil headmistress at the orphanage.
The show will open Thursday.
Tryouts were in November and sixth-grader Kelley Orcutt earned the role as Annie.
"It’s pretty much a story with a happy ending," Kelley said. "It’s a positive story about how a little girl can bring so much joy to so many people."
Gary Charwin is directing the play and music teacher Mary Mittelstadt is in charge of the musical score.
"It’s a lot of work being Annie on stage, but it’s fun to be somebody else for a little while," Kelley said. "It’s going well and Mr. Charwin is a great director. "
Sixth-grader Brendan Hanson said he’s excited for the show and looks forward to playing Morganthau, a member of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s cabinet.
"That’s when Annie sings the famous song ‘Tomorrow,’ " Brendan said.
Sixth-grader Morgan Lea will play the role of the orphan Tessie.
"She’s an orphan that gets worried a lot," Morgan said.
Seventh-grader Maddy O’Meara will perform as Connie Boylan, one of the three Boylan sisters.
"I’ll be on the radio in the show called ‘The Hour Smile,’ " Maddy said.
She and other cast members have practiced almost every day after school since January. Cast members almost have the dialogue, action and singing down pat.
Maddy said that even the scenery is just about done.
"It’s tiring," she said. "It’s been a lot longer in March since the play is next week, but we get to hang out when we’re not on. So, it’s fun. The scenery is coming out really well."
Performances for the play are on March 25 at 6:30 p.m. for senior citizens only. The general public is invited to performances on March 26 at 7:30 p.m. and March 27 at 6 p.m. Admission for adults is $6 and $4 for students. For more information visit the school Web site at www.cranburyschool.org and click on the "Annie" link at the welcome page.