On November 22, director Jennifer Kafka Smith will be opening Annie at the Garfield Center for the Arts. Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The book and score were written by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan Charles Strouse, and Martin Charnin. The song, “Tomorrow” is one of the most recognized musical theatre hits. Director, Kafka Smith returns to the Garfield after directing the Marx Brothers’ classic, Animal Crackers last fall. The production was acclaimed as “one of the funniest shows to appear on the local stage in recent memory”. Kafka Smith is joined by a talented team: Musical Director, Julie Lawrence; Choreographer, Kimberly Stevens; Costumer, Barbi Bedell; and set drawings by local pen and ink artist, Stu Cawley.
Annie will provide the perfect musical theatre outing for the entire family. The cast of 25 range in age across seven decades and includes a pair of sisters, a father and son, and a father and daughter. The story of little orphan Annie takes place in the 1930s in New York City. Annie (Izzie Squire Southworth, age 12) is determined to find the parents that left her on the doorstep of the orphanage, run by the cruel Miss Hannigan (Melissa McGlynn). Annie finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks (John Mann), his personal secretary, Grace Farrell (Annie Sparks), and a lovable mutt named Sandy – played by 5 year old Bearded Border Collie, Auggie, owned and trained by Skylar Landis of Belle Rose Kennels in Chestertown. Auggie is a dog with an impressive resume of his own and is a proud alumnus of Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue. Other featured players include Hannigan’s brother, Rooster (Bradley Chaires), Lily St. Regis (Natalie Lane), and President Franklin D. Roosevelt (Robin Wood).
The show runs for three weekends, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 2pm, November 22 – December 8. Please note that Friday and Saturday show times have been adjusted for this special family-friendly event.
Annie is sponsored by Chesapeake Bank and Trust. The 2019 season of plays at the Garfield is also dedicated to the memory of Judy Kohl, a board member, patron, benefactor and friend who is missed dearly.
Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 for seniors 65+and members of the US Military, and $10 for students. They are available online at www.garfieldcenter.org or by calling the Garfield Center box office at 410-810-2060.