‘Annie’ here next week

Next week a local cast of students will put on a Broadway classic that offers something for audiences of all ages.

“Annie” is being put on by the Jamestown High School Advanced Theatre Arts class as high school students actually earn course credit for the performance.

The advanced Theatre Arts Program is a 120-hour course high school students can take for one course credit. Aside from the production, students are also required to work in either technology, public relations or costumes.

It’s the only high school musical of the year. But the 48-member cast features students from third grade to recent graduates.

Cheryl and Mike McIntyre are directing the show, as they have for the summer musical for the past 16 years.

“It was one that could include young kids and keep the interest going in theater and that’s important to us,” Cheryl said of “Annie.”

She also said that after previous productions of “Suessical” and “Aida” it was time to return to a classic.

The story goes that in 1933 a wealthy New York man agrees to let an orphan stay at his house over Christmas. The young girl eventually grows on him and he helps try to find her parents. Eventually he wants to adopt her.

Cheryl said the audience will recognize songs like “Tomorrow” and “Hard Knock Life.” A 12-member orchestra pit comprised of community members will provide the instruments.

“It’s pretty much a feel-good show,” Cheryl said.

While it is a good-natured show, there are also aspects relating to politics and Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal, Mike said.

“One of the things that maybe, to a modern audience, that might sound timely is a frequent discussion of how much the government should be doing for people,” he said.

Mike handles acting, lighting and set design, while Cheryl does the music, choreography and costumes.

“Most of the requirements of the show between the two of us we have covered pretty well,” he said.

The pair has been working with the cast four hours a day, five days a week, for about the past month.

If not rehearsing or singing, the cast will work on other aspects of the show like set work or costumes.

“It gives us a chance to give a lot of different students more responsibility in heading these different areas,” Mike said.

With a week before the curtain opens Mike said he’s seen enthusiasm from the younger cast members.

“Those who are on the younger end of our age spectrum have no difficulty being very creative, very energetic and very spontaneous, and that’s good if you get that top rub off on some of the other ones,” he said.

“Annie” is at 7 p.m. next Thursday and Friday, June 28-29, in the Jamestown High School auditorium. Admission at the door is $5 for students and seniors and $7 for adults.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: diversions, theater