'Annie' at Alexandria 'Tomorrow,' Saturday

ALEXANDRIA BAY — If percentage of school population is any indication, the next production at Alexandria Central School will be a really big show.

A total of 62 students, ranging from elementary students to high schoolers, will be in the "Annie" production on Friday and Saturday.

That's about 10 percent of total district population, K-12 vocal music instructor and "Annie" director Katie Taylor said.

"We have representatives of every grade," she noted.

The logistics have been challenging.

"It's not (as much) the difference in age groups as it is the fact that it's such a large cast," Mrs. Taylor said. "It's hard managing their schedules. These kids, who are talented singers and actors, are also quite good at other things."

The musical "Annie" is based on the long-running Harold Gray comic strip "Little Orphan Annie." It first appeared on Broadway in 1977, and won the Tony and Drama Critics Circle awards for best musical.

The story, with book, music and lyrics by Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, tells of a young girl's journey from the oppressive atmosphere of Miss Hannigan's orphanage during the Depression. Annie's adventures along the way include her adoption by the multi-billionaire Daddy Warbucks and a trip to the White House, where her infectious optimism charms everyone from the Cabinet to the president.

Songs include "It's the Hard-Knock Life," "Easy Street," "N.Y.C." and "Tomorrow."

Senior Matthew P. Remington, who plays Daddy Warbucks, said it's been rewarding at rehearsal to work with a wide age range.

"We can help find and develop talent at that young age," he said.

"For all of us, it comes easy to us because it's been so much fun," said senior Olivia L. Moran, who plays Lily St. Regis. "The little kids are so easy to get along with."

She said she enjoys playing her character, the floozy girlfriend of Rooster. The couple schemes to pass as Annie's parents.

"She's a bubbly blond," Miss Moran said. "I'm enjoying it because she is so out of my element."

Fourth grader Lindsey Bradley plays Annie. Mrs. Taylor said Lindsey is already a veteran of her productions, having been in the chorus of "Seussical," as a citizen of Whoville, and in the "Wizard of Oz" as a Munchkin.

"Lindsey has been a joy and the older kids think she's phenomenal," Mrs. Taylor said. "They always love working with elementary students with such maturity and poise. She knows her lines, her songs, her staging and she's has been a doll to work with."

The seniors in this year's musical were kindergartners when Mrs. Taylor started her job at the district.

"We really want to thank Mrs. Taylor," Mr. Remington said. "Not only has she been teaching us theater, but she's been involved in teaching us different disciplines of music such as barber shop, a cappella, pop and classical."

"Annie" will have a pit band, and Mrs. Taylor said its composition will be different this year in that two students, one high schooler and two junior high students will be in it, joining the adults.

The pit orchestra will be under the direction of Frances E. Seymour, instrumental music teacher at General Brown Junior Senior High School.

Other leading roles in "Annie" at Alexandria Central School are junior Tristen Durand as Grace Farrell; sophomore Samantha Rogers as Miss Hannigan; senior Jeremy Moench as Rooster; and senior Zachery Rufa as President Roosevelt.

Annie's dog is played by River, a golden retriever owned by Miss Moran and family.