Leapin’ lizards! The heartwarming classic musical Annie plays in November at Springhouse Theatre Company. This musical, written by Thomas Meehan (book), Charles Strouse (music), and Martin Charnin (lyrics), and based on the comic strip by Harold Gray, has become one of the most beloved shows in musical theatre. A winner of seven Tony awards, Annie features one of the most memorable theatrical songs ever written, the hit “Tomorrow” (you’re always a day away).
The family-friendly production focuses on the charming titular orphan, played by the talented young actress Saoirse Haro, determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago.
Photos by Haydin Olivia Oechsle / Springhouse Theatre Company
The orphanage is run by the bitter matriarch Miss Hannigan (Kristina Ramsey), who is simultaneously both cruel and hilarious.
Annie makes escape attempts, sees New York City like never before, and meets Grace Farrell (Sarah Chapman) and her boss, Oliver Warbucks, the richest man in America (played by Blake West in his Springhouse Theatre debut).
After the jealous, money-grabbing Rooster Hannigan (Christian Bare) and Lily St. Regis (Heidi Buyck) get involved, Annie’s life will be in danger right up until the end.
Kristian Rarig (who helmed the Springhouse productions of The Sound of Music and The Little Mermaid) directs Annie, with Aaron Arseneault serving as assistant director. Music direction for this production is by Keanu Aiono-Netzler, and the choreography, by Springhouse artistic director Charlotte Shealy, offers entertaining fun, especially for the orphan number “Hard Knock Life.”
“This cast brings so much talent and joy to every rehearsal,” Rarig says. “Their commitment to the story and to one another has made this production something special. I can’t wait for audiences to experience the laughter, hope and heart that is at the core of this production of Annie.”
In addition to the unforgettable songs, Annie also features Sandy, the cutest dog in showbiz (with apologies to Toto and Lassie).
Performances will be Nov. 13–22 with Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday shows at 3:30 p.m. Find tickets exclusively at springhousetheatre.com.
Springhouse Theatre Company, located at 14119 Old Nashville Hwy., Smyrna, Tennessee, has served the performing arts community in Rutherford County for nearly 30 years.
