“Tomorrow,” today
Leapin’ Lizards! Annie is back in town, brought to you by TYKEs (Theatre
Young Kids Enjoy).
Who doesn’t love rooting for everyone’s favorite red-headed
orphan? Ten-year-old Sierra Braden effortlessly captures Annie’s plucky
determination to escape her bleak existence and reunite with her long-lost
parents.
“I love the songs!” enthuses my 10-year-old
daughter. “Especially ‘You’re Never Fully Dressed
Without a Smile’ and ‘Hard Knock Life.’ I like how the orphans made fun of
bossy Miss Hannigan. She deserved it!”
Sure, the show’s entertaining. But set in 1933, with a special
guest appearance by President Roosevelt, Annie also helps kids learn about history. If your kids are like mine, they think the
Great Depression is what happens when the monthly credit card statement
arrives.
Annie parallels
current events, too. For example, Daddy Warbucks isn’t
the only millionaire in the market for an orphan. Just ask Madonna.
Directed and choreographed by Pamela Rapoza,
the cast features 13 professional actors, 13 local girls, and two dogs. Six-year-old
charmer Julia Cougle is Molly, the youngest orphan
and my daughter’s favorite: “I really, really liked that little girl, Molly. She
was phenomenal! She has a good voice and she’s really cute.”
Performances at School of the Arts, 45 Prince Street, take place Saturday and
Sunday, November 4 and 5, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The 11 a.m. show on November 4
will be interpreted for the hearing impaired. Heads up, home schoolers: additional performances Wednesday and Thursday,
November 1 and 2, at 10 a.m. Ticket $10. Visit www.tykestheatre.org or call
723-6080.
This article appears in Nov 1-7, 2006.
