Orpheus Brings in Enjoyable Performances in This Totally Credible Version of the Well Known Show Annie.

The story of Annie the orphan who is adopted by billionaire Daddy Warbucks is as familiar as it is sentimental.

Originally a popular comic strip, the fairytale was meant to inject hope into a bad time. Set in 1933 New York City against the backdrop of the aftermath of the Depression and the advent of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, it promises that dreams can come true. The poorest of children may be adopted by the richest of men, who will even be willing to take in a stray dog.

(It is a charming touch that Sandy the dog (played with aplomb and calm by Radar) is given equal time in the bio department of the Orpheus program.)

Once past the lack of credibility of the storyline, one can sit back to enjoy performances, music, choreography and visuals. Beginning with Nancy Solman’s effective and workable set design and a well-tuned orchestra under musical director John McGovern, this is a creditable production of the well-known show. Director Judy Follett-Johns takes a traditional approach, while giving Aileen Szkwarek free rein to present some imaginative choreography.

The performance that I saw featured the talented Marie-Pier Jean in the title role. (For most performances, Sophia Rathwell-Swettenham plays Annie.)

Making the most of her comedic and musical talents, Barb Seabright-Moore as Miss Hannigan is an appropriately nasty orphanage director. Unlike some of the other characters, she maintains a fine line between being stereotypically villainous and pathetic enough to inspire some pity.

Irish O’Brien is both businesslike and warm as Warbucks’ secretary, while Trevor Houle understands the requirements of combining the hard shell of a successful businessman and the soft core of the man turned to mush by the orphan he is about to adopt. (He had some problems with harshness of tone in the early part of the show, which may have been caused by microphone/soundboard issues.)

The orphans, as always, deliver the “ah, cute” factor well, though some of the group are difficult to understand, apparently because they do not distinguish between shouting and clear articulation.

All in all, this production of Annie will be well received by audiences, most of whom will know the story before they enter the auditorium.

Annie continues at Centrepointe to November 21, 2010.

Annie

Book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin

Orpheus Musical Theatre Society

Director: Judy Follett-Johns

Musical director: John McGovern

Choreographer: Aileen Szkwarek

Set: Nancy Solman

Lighting: Rob Puchyr

Sound: John Cybanski

Costumes: Judy Froome

Cast:

Annie                                      Marie-Pier Jean (Sophia Rathwell-Swettenham)

Miss Hannigan                        Barb Seabright-Moore

Daddy Warbucks                    Trevor Houle

Grace                                       Irish O’Brien

Orphans:

Kate                                        Gabrielle-Lynn Dunning

July                                          Grace Dunn

Duffy                                      Emily Tieu

Pepper                                     Laura D’Amico

Tessie                                      Tate Holm

Molly                                       McKenna Mellon

Charlotte                                 Megan Damini

Daphne                                    Elliza Bowie

Mr. Bundles                            Nabil Ayoub

Apple Seller                            Jodie-Lee Primeau

Officer Ward                          Tim Hillock

Dogcatcher                              Michael David

Asst. Dogcatcher                    Murray Doggett

Sandy                                      Radar

Chorus:

Ben Blacklock, Gabriel Dugdale-Roberge, Jim Robertson, Cheryl Dubois, Paula Berry, Alyssa Radulescu, Tasia Loeffler-Vulpe, Mikaela Berg, Liane Wray, Myriam Laliberte, Erika Séguin, Pino Dicorato, Ken Tucker, Jim Morrison, Darren Bird, Jesse Gerrvais, Christa Cullain