Tomorrow, always a day away for fans of the “Annie” theater production, is today’s big news for the Broadway Bound performers of “Annie Jr.,” a musical being presented this month by the Glencoe Park District and Helen’s Performing Arts Co.
Approximately 80 children from across the North Shore, including Glencoe, Highland Park and Winnetka, are participating in Broadway Bound’s annual performance.
“‘Annie’ is one of my favorite shows to direct because it was one of my favorite shows as a child,” said Broadway Bound stage director Sarah Hall of Glencoe. “It is wonderful to see all of the characters come to life through our third through fifth graders.”
Four weekend shows will be staged Jan. 14 and 15 in Matz Hall at the Winnetka Community House. Dress rehearsals took place in early January at the Glencoe Park District’s Takiff Center.
“This particular play is one of our most joyous,” said Helen Boris of Glencoe, owner of Helen’s Performing Arts Co. and producer of “Annie Jr.” and Broadway Bound shows.
“It’s so much fun having happy endings that we can depend on, and characters that are easily understood who receive their just rewards by the end of the story,” Boris said.
The story, with the songs “Tomorrow” and “It’s The Hard-Knock Life,” is about Annie, an orphan who seeks her parents in Depression-era New York City. Annie lives in an orphanage managed by the corrupt Miss Hannigan.
“The values instilled in Annie are terrific reminders for kids and adults,” Hall said. “Annie leads her life with strength and an open heart, which encourages all of us to try and do the same.”
Miss Hannigan and two others orchestrate a scheme to get money out of the wealthy Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks.
Characters Rooster and Lily fraudulently claim they’re Annie’s biological parents. Warbucks pledges to become Annie’s new family through adoption after the trio’s plot is revealed.
“I think it’s wrong they were pretending to be someone else’s mother and father and someone that Annie cares about,” said Matthew Steinback, 9, of Glencoe, a West School fourth-grader who plays a police officer.
Sharing the stage in the lead role of Annie are Audrey Mesterharm of Glencoe and Noa Rollman of Highland Park.
“Everyone knows the songs, so I’m honored to share these with everyone,” said Audrey, 11, a Central School fifth grader who will appear in the Saturday performances.
Noa, 10, is a fifth-grader at Lake Forest Country Day School and will appear as Annie during Sunday’s shows.
“It’s awesome and really fun,” Noa said of playing Annie.
Lexi Kittnar, 10, a Glencoe fifth-grader, has the role of Kate.
“I love all of the singing and dancing,” Lexi said.
Julia Nathanson, 10, of Highland Park and a fourth-grader at Lake Forest Country Day School, plays the Star to Be and is part of the servant ensemble.
“The lesson of ‘Annie’ is that you probably need to work to achieve something,” she said.
“You can’t cheat people,” Julia added. “You have to tell the truth.”
“Annie Jr.” runs in Matz Hall at the Winnetka Community House in Winnetka on Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; and on Jan. 15 at 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at door. Buy tickets at http://bit.ly/broadwaybound14.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
