Leapin' Lizards! 'Annie' Comes To The Stage In Tuckahoe This Weekend

TUCKAHOE, NY — A few dozen of the most talented performers and backstage artists in the Hudson Valley are ready to remind us why the Broadway musical "Annie" earned critical acclaim and Tony awards.

No matter what the weather forecasters say, the sun will come out this weekend, as Tuckahoe Theatre Works (formerly known as the Tuckahoe MS/HS Spring Musical) presents their spring mainstage musical production of the Broadway classic, "Annie."

The school district says that the production will feature a cast of 40 middle and high school students, 20 stage crew members and a live orchestra of 15 musicians, with the students thrilled to present the hit show to their local community.

Performances will take place in the Tuckahoe High School Auditorium on Thursday, March 14 at 7 p.m., Friday, March 15 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The school is located at 65 Siwanoy Boulevard in Eastchester. Advance ticket sales are $12 for students and seniors, and $15 for adults. Advance tickets can be purchased here. At the door, tickets will be $15 for students and seniors, and $18 for adults. For tickets of 10 or more, or ticket assistance, send an email to this address.

Based on a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, the original Broadway production of "Annie" was also directed by Charnin.

If you are not familiar with the story, the play is set in NYC in 1933, and stars a sporty, red-headed orphan who stays with millionaire Oliver Warbucks during the holiday season. "A story of hope, optimism and love, Annie is the perfect story for all ages!" the organizers wrote. The Broadway prodution won seven Tonies, including Best Musical, and features the iconic songs, "Tomorrow," "Hard Knock Life," "Little Girls," and "You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile."

This weekend's production is directed by Richard F. Grasso and Melanie Buchanan, with vocal and music direction by Charles duChateau.

The company includes Emily Swenson as Annie, Henry Podoll as Oliver Warbucks, Julia Fret as Miss Hannigan, Renee Arana as Grace Farrell, Miles Rivera as Rooster, Artemis Caporoso as Lily, Colin Chalk as Drake, Santiago Ortega-Brown as Bert Healy and Ryan Rodriguez as Sandy. The rest of the ensemble includes: Maya Sarma, Paulina DiFucci, Ciara Devitt, Jairus Galicio, Gabriella Berkman, Evi Krystallis, Pia Casazza, Ellie Lomma, Katie Ashley, Marin Swenson, Kori Brooks, Lucy Davis, Ava O'Connell, Jocelyn Adelstein, Elizabeth Halloran, Skyler Brice, Christian Gerken, Emil Trinidad, Austin Rivera, Robert Jackson, Mateo Hernandez, Abigail Arana, Sydney Ly, Abigail Arana, Angelina Ari, Allyson Duffy, Sydney Ly, Piper Murphy, Ava Musial, Isabel Scalley, and Sarah Watts.

The orchestra consists of Nico Tortorella, Joshua Swenson and Joanne Arana, violin, Timo Gjelaj and Truman Shih, cello, Jane Sheldon, bass, Maya Ito-Chihaia, flute, Julia Bastani-Oskoui, alto/baritone saxophone, Toby Poole, clarinet/bass clarinet, Stefan Dinkel,trumpet, Eli Johnson, trombone, Stella Sheldon, baritone, Luke Hart, guitar/banjo, Kai Katsuno, drums, Ali Kajoshi, percussion and Audriana Handy, keyboard/sinfonia.

The production features stage manager Beatriz Lage, assistant stage manager Erica Collabella, props masters Elizabeth Gjelaj and Victoria Gjelaj, wardrobe master Gabriella Curanovic, wardrobe assistants Ashli Basto and Keyshla Urena, scene painter Amanda Shkreli, assistant painters Nicole Colabella and Alia Kindberg, ilghting by Finane Ghebrenegus, Ciara Laboy, Leah Charity-Spriggs and Alex Moncho, and stage crew: Gavin Barreno, Santiago Ortega Brown, Scout Caporoso, Anaya Charity-Avila, Amiya Bah, Leonie Chalfen, Darlyn DelRosario, Henry Podoll, Matthew Rodriguez, Sara Sandoval, Angelina Shih, Emily Sperbeck, Isabella Usher and Sarah Watts.

Annie also features lighting design by Silent G Productions: Andrew Gmoser & Dylan Epstein, sound design by CL Sound, Chad Lawrence with audio engineer Katherine Talty. Scenic furniture/supplies were provided by Sceneworks Scenic Design & Fabrication in Ossining. The backdrop was provided by Kenmark Backdrops in Overland Park, KS. Costumes were provided Provided by The Costumer of Schenectady. The production photographer is Karen Shook, with assistant production photographer Scout Caporoso. Production videographer is PromoVideo — "Videographers to the Performing Arts."