Kickoff Spring with KVMT's 'Annie’

Start off your spring with some fun as the Keith Valley Music Theatre’s middle school acting troupe brings the beloved musical ‘Annie’ to life on stage. This amazing cast and crew are set to dazzle you with the touching story of Annie (Avery Kohler, 8th grade) who has her life transformed when Oliver Warbucks’ (Kenneth Kirsch, 8th) private secretary, Grace Farrell (Molly Harrington, 7th), selects the “little orphan” to spend two weeks with the billionaire and his team of servants, including Drake (Aiden Ball, 6th), Mrs. Greer (Erin Finello, 8th), Mrs. Pugh (Brenna Lacey, 8th), Cecille (Rayana Weachter, 7th) Annette (Leah Wittaker, 7th) and Marie (Aubrey Hoffman, 8th).

Just as life seems grand for Annie and her dog, Sandy (Ciara Lacey, 6th), the head of the orphanage, Miss Hannigan (Lilee Ziegler, 8th) teams with her cunning brother, Rooster (Joshua Reichner, 7th) and his sidekick Lily St. Regis (Paisley Lauzier, 8th) to run a big time scam.

The KVMT crew constructing Hooverville.

The classic cast of orphans include Molly (Sara Joachim, 6th), Pepper (Olive Robert, 6th), Duffy (Samantha Johnson, 7th), Kate (Kiera “Kiki” Kaufmann, 7th), Tessie (Shaina Berkowitz, 8th) and July (Lucia Fuller, 7th). Also, look for ensemble appearances from 8th graders: Ben Greenwood, Alison Kim, Lucas Black, Jordan Miller and Browyn Coleman, 7th graders: Alex Keane, Kieran McSherry, Mikayla Trachtman, Margo Verdeur, Olivia Kostik and Reed Yarrison, and 6th graders: Zachary Brosso, Lily Cox, Faith Ciciarelli, and Caroline McLaughlin.

The musical features classic songs ranging from “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” “Tomorrow,” “NYC,” and “Easy Street.” The production takes place along the backdrop of the Great Depression with spectacular costumes, props and sets that take you from the New York City Orphanage to Warbucks' glamorous estate to New York’s Hooverville.

Annie opened on Broadway at Alvin Theatreon April 21, 1977. It won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and has had two Broadway revivals, two major motion picture adaptations and a television special by Disney.

It's a 'hard knock life' as the crew preps for the show.

The show, performed by Keith Valley Middle School students, is produced by Kristen Schada, directed by Barry Dougherty, Kelly Snyder and Mandy Jacobus, with music direction by Ed Conrad, choreography by HHHS senior Grace Kohler and construction props by Pamela Flack. This direction team has previously dazzled audiences with productions of ‘You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown,’ 'Aladdin, Jr.,' 'Cinderella: Enchanted Edition,' 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,' 'The Lion King, Jr.' and 'Grease: School Edition.'

Director Barry Dougherty explained the decision behind selecting this show, saying, "As we finally come back to the KVMT stage after having to create a green-screen production with last year’s ‘You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown,’ I really wanted an iconic show to bring everyone back to live theatre. It doesn’t get more iconic than Annie. The characters and songs are so beloved and bring the essence of live theatre to so many hearts that it was an obvious choice in my mind.”

All performances are at Keith Valley Middle School with shows on Thursday, 3/31 @ 7:00 pm, Friday, 4/1 @ 7:00 pm and Saturday, 4/2 @2:00 pm. Tickets for all three performances are $10 for students and $12 for adults. The box office will be open in Keith Valley Middle School’s lobby on Monday, 3/28 @ 7:15 to 8:45 pm and Tuesday, 3/29 @ 7:15 to 8:45 pm. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

You can download the ticket order form and follow Keith Valley Music Theatre on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KeithValleyMusicTheatre) or visit kvmusical.com for updates, sneak peeks and see what is coming up next for our theater company.