‘Annie Jr.’ Shines At RTC

By Dan Guarino

No doubt audience members of all ages will be singing along with “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow” and other classics as a fresh group of young performers bring their talent and energy to every performance of “Annie Jr.” at the Rockaway Theatre Company (RTC) stage.

The show, an officially adapted version of the full Broadway musical, opens Friday, February 6 and runs ‘til Sunday, February 15, at RTC’s John Gilleece Theatre, at Fort Tilden. Showtimes are Fridays, February 6 and 13 at 7 p.m., Saturdays, February 7 and 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sundays, February 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12.62, available at www.rockawaytheatrecompany.org and are going fast, with some shows already sold out.

“‘Annie’ is such a classic story of chosen family, resilience and love!” said Mia Melchiorri, co-director with RTC’s Susan Corning. Both are accomplished actors and production veterans. “It follows Little Orphan Annie on her journey to joining the Warbucks family and leaving her old life behind. We chose this show because of how classic and timeless the themes are.”

“Annie Jr.” is based on the Broadway musical, which, along with several film versions, is based on the long running “Little Orphan Annie” comic strip. Set in Depression-era New York, it brings together familiar characters like Annie, Miss Hannigan, millionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, the orphanage kids and Annie’s dog Sandy, who even gets to share a musical number.

“Annie Jr.” is specifically adapted for younger performers and is a production of RTC’s successful Young People’s Theatre Workshop. The program gives young actors from 7-17 professional training and hands-on learning experience in all areas of theatre production, both onstage and behind the scenes. The workshop’s 12 to 17 teen group recently finished their very well-received run of “Disney’s ‘Dare To Dream’” musical, also directed by Corning and Melchiorri.

All the workshop’s shows are full stage productions, complete with costumes, hand-built set pieces, lighting, choreography and more.

“Annie Jr.” features the RTC program’s Young Stars. “There are over 40 actors in this show!” Melchiorri explained. “They range from age 7-12. These kids have been absolutely pumped to be a part of this musical from Day 1!”

She noted, having learned and memorized their lines ahead of time, “Many students came in (already) off-book! They are such a wonderful group of students.”

All have been working very hard to make this a standout production. “We have been rehearsing every Saturday morning since September, and have recently extended rehearsals and added additional days. The show is very busy and requires exceptional dancing, singing and acting from each cast member. There are also a good number of roles with a lot of lines. This can be a major task in memory for such young performers!”

Besides “The Sun Will Come Out,” the show is filled with well-known classic songs. Melchiorri said, “I really do love every song (in the show). But if I had to choose a few faves, I would say ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You,’ ‘Easy Street’ and ‘Little Girls.’ I just love storytelling through music!”

Part of that storytelling, bringing out genuine emotion, comes right at the start, with the song “Maybe.” Here the orphans pine for longed-for parents to love and care for them, singing “Betcha they’re good. Why wouldn’t they be? Their only mistake was giving up me.”

For the dance numbers which make up a solid part of the show, Melchiorri points to “Hard Knock Life,” which “blends acting and dance seamlessly and it is so exciting to watch!”

One thing RTC does not lack is an abundance of talented young performers who will be bringing “Annie Jr.” to life. So much so that the show features two different groups, the NYC Cast and the Easy Street Cast, comprised of 20 actors each, who will hit the stage for alternating performances.

Each cast brings its own distinct approach, acting and energy to “Annie Jr.” All bring their enthusiasm. When asked for help with a stage task, numerous NYC Cast hands shot up with shouts of “Me! Me! Me!”

“I haven’t even told you what it is yet,” co-director Melchiorri exclaimed. “I could ask you anything right now!”

“I’ll do anything!” a young actor’s voice pipes up.

Similarly, the Easy Street Cast, just arriving on a frigid 16-degree Saturday morning, waits patiently for their turn to rehearse. While they are waiting, they break into one of the group songs from the show, complete with harmonies.

All through the “Annie Jr.” rehearsal process and young actor’s learning program itself, workshop mainstays Corning and Melchiorri are constantly engaging and interacting with these performers, taking questions while explaining how and why things work in a theatre production.

Likewise, choreographer Erech Holder-Hetmeyer is often up on stage, joining with the cast to demonstrate the steps. Musical/choral directors Jodee Timpone and Rich Louis Pierre keep everyone on pitch and in harmony. Louis Pierre also handles taking professional headshots of each actor for the show’s cast poster, and their portfolio.

During rehearsals, costumer Ashely Chico measures each cast member, fitting them individually while creating the look for each character. Workshop administrator Adele Wendt also takes on stage manager duties, keeping the production and program organized and everyone updated. Melchiorri describes Alannah Fabry as “our general support fairy,” handling whatever is needed onstage and also running all sound for the show. All are experienced performers and production people.

“We are a well-oiled machine and thrive together,” Melchiorri said. “I love them all like family and it is so amazing that we get to work together year after year!” Over the decades, the RTC Young People’s Theatre Workshop they now run has produced many actors who have gone on to RTC’s mainstage productions and even professional theatre roles on and off Broadway.

As the curtain raises on “Annie Jr.”, audiences will not only experience a great musical show, but just might catch a rising star. As its directors say, “Come support youth theater and young people’s development in the arts!”

Oh, and enjoy the show!

Photos by Dan Guarino