After more than 20 years,
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres returns to the feel-good musical
Annie that showcases the power of "little girls." And one of those little girls from their first production of the show in 1983, Tamara Kangas Erickson, is now co-owner and Artistic Director of the theater, and director/choreographer of this show, proving that there really is no limit to what "little girls" can do when they grow up and change the world. Or at least, I hope they will. And that's one thing
Annie has in abundance - hope. The belief that we can make the world a better place by believing it can be better, by working together, by standing up for what's right, and maybe by singing a song together. This nearly 50-year-old show (it'll return to Broadway for its 50th anniversary next year), set nearly 100 years ago, is eerily resonant with today's world, with the increasing gap between the haves and the have-nots, average Americans unable to afford to feed their families, and a dissatisfaction with the powers-that-be who don't seem to care about the plight of the people. Annie inspired the president to come up with a New Deal to help pull the country out of the depression; "A New Deal for Christmas" is the optimistic finale of the show. Things feel a little less hopeful today, but maybe we'll get a new deal for Christmas too, if we believe like Annie does (and #vote). In the meantime, head West to Chanhassen to experience a healthy dose of optimism, delivered to us by a ridiculously talented cast, creative team, and staff, who also deliver dinner, drinks, and dessert to your table as you enjoy the show (
continuing through February 27).
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Danté Murray, Eve Scharback, and Addison
(photo by Dan Norman) |
Leading the large cast of kids and adults is Eve Scharback as our Annie (alternating with Alayna Gardner), who at 12 years old already has a long list of credits at such theaters as the Guthrie, Theater Latte Da, Artistry, and more. She lights up the room, spunky and tough, yet sweet and open-hearted, with a crystal clear voice on these iconic songs. She's surrounded by six other little girls (some of them found through a casting call at the Mall of America), who are all so present and engaged and enthusiastic. Their group numbers ("Hard-Knock Life" and "You're Never Fully Dressed without a Smile") are a highlight of the show and radiate positive energy into every part of the theater. And a special shout-out to the littlest orphan, Lucy Anderson as Molly, who threatens to steal the entire show every time she steps on stage.
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I want to go to "Easy Street" with Daysha
Ramsey, Thomas Bevan, and Serena Brook
(photo by Dan Norman) |
The adult actors in
Annie aren't too bad either. Relative newcomer to the #TCTheater scene Danté Jamar Lamonte Murray (he was in
Memphis at Artistry a few years ago) is a wonderful Warbucks, slowly warming to this new light in his life, with a velvety smooth voice. Anna Hashizume (last seen at the Chan as Rizzo in
Grease) is perfectly cast as Warbucks' good and kind assistant Grace, elegant and stylish and gorgeously singing the part. I've long admired Serena Brooks' comedic singing skills, which are put to great use here as Miss Hannigan. She knows how to use her voice for comedy, in songs like "Little Girls," and is also hilarious just tottering around the stage and flirting with everything that comes through the door. She's joined by Thomas Bevan as a fantastic Rooster and Daysha Ramsey as a delightfully flighty Lily St. Regis for a trio that is comedy and musical gold; their "Easy Street" (and reprise) is another highlight of this show, I'd love to watch a spin-off of these three. And then there's an ensemble, chock full of Chan faves and a few newcomers. You really can't go wrong keeping your eye on any one of them, and it's fun to pick out familiar faces in each scene. To mention a few - Kaia T. Fitzgerald shines as the "star to be" featured in "NYC," and Michael Gruber makes the most of the role of loyal butler Drake, with lots of charming little moments.
Music Director Andy Kust leads the ten-piece orchestra situated above at the back of the stage, bringing life and energy to this beloved score. The choreography in this show is really fun and diverse, from the scrappy orphan numbers, to the hilarious and character-appropriate "Easy Street," to the elegant ensemble numbers inside the mansion.
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| never underestimate little girls (photo by Dan Norman) |
The set gracefully transitions from the orphanage, with a large set piece of stairs up to the doorway, to Warbucks' mansion, an elegant two-sided staircase, to the streets of NYC, all against a backdrop of a charmingly cartoonish NYC skyline, with skyscraper windows that light up. The sheer number of costumes in this show is mind-boggling, and range from the ragtag orphan clothes, to the various people populating the streets of NYC, to Warbucks' elegant suits and the neat uniforms of his staff. (Scenic design by Nayna Ramey, costume design by Rich Hamson, lighting design by Sue Ellen Berger, sound design by Russ Haynes) Last but not least, Sandy is not just any dog, Addison is trained by the Tony-winning animal trainer William Berloni, and has traveled the country playing the role. She's a natural, never misses her mark, and instantly endears herself to the audience.
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| photo by Dan Norman |
