"Annie" at Lakeshore Players Theatre

When I saw the Ordway's production of Annie in December of 2017, I wrote the following, and now, almost exactly eight years later, I feel a great sense of déjà vu. "'The future is female.' If the main stage at the [Lakeshore Players Theatre] is any judge of it, this statement is true, and gives one hope for the future. The story of one 11-year-old girl who changes hearts and minds with optimism and determination is an inspiring one, as is the boundless energy and talent of the young females on stage who bring this story to life. Watching Annie last night, I couldn't help but feel nostalgic for the Great Depression, when at least the president cared about the people and developed (with Annie's help of course) a New Deal that would help lift the country out of poverty. A stark contrast to today's reality, when the current resident of the White House seems to care only for the rich, and those in need get served newly crappy deals nearly every day. Maybe we need to send Annie to the Washington to get Democrats and Republicans singing together about the hopeful future of America!" This female future hasn't come to fruition in the last eight years, if anything it feels farther away, but there's always tomorrow! This show about hope, optimism, working together, and the improbable notion of billionaires and politicians giving back to help their fellow human beings is exactly what we need right now. And Lakeshore has assembled a great team to bring this hopeful story to vibrant life (continuing through December 14).

"Annie" at Children's Theatre Company

A healthy dose of optimism is exactly what I needed last Friday night, when it seems like coming out of this pandemic is one step forward and two steps back, on top of all of the other problems the world is facing right now. And optimism is exactly what Children's Theatre Company's production of Annie delivers, in spades. Ten years later, they're remounting their 2011 production with most of the creative team and even some of the cast returning. It's the first live performance at CTC since their original play Spamtown, USA closed early due to the pandemic 20 months ago, and it's a joyous return. Despite being written in the '70s and taking place in the '30s, Annie clearly resonates with 2021. People living in poverty struggling to survive while others live on "Easy Street," and bad feelings towards a former president who left us with mess to clean up, are stories that could've been pulled from today's headlines. Annie shows us the power of "Little Girls," at a time when we're looking to the younger generations, and women of all ages, to lead us out of today's challenges and into a better "Tomorrow."

"Annie" at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts

"The future is female." If the main stage at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is any judge of it, this statement is true, and gives one hope for the future. The story of one 11-year-old girl who changes hearts and minds with optimism and determination is an inspiring one, as is the boundless energy and talent of the young females on stage who bring this story to life. Watching Annie last night, I couldn't help but feel nostalgic for the Great Depression, when at least the president cared about the people and developed (with Annie's help of course) a New Deal that would help lift the country out of poverty. A stark contrast to today's reality, when the current resident of the White House seems to care only for the rich, and those in need get served newly crappy deals nearly every day. Maybe we need to send Annie to the Washington to get Democrats and Republicans singing together about the hopeful future of America! In the meantime, head to the Ordway to see this swell production of an American musical theater classic and get your dose of optimism about our female future.

"Annie" by GREAT Children's Theatre at the Escher Auditorium, College of St. Benedict

I've wanted to attend a GREAT Theatre production in St. Cloud for a while now - I have a lot of family in the St. Cloud area and have attended events at the Paramount Theatre where they often perform, so I thought it would be a fun thing to do to expand the geographic area of Cherry and Spoon. But I never quite found the right show, until my youngest cousin Greta was cast as Duffy in Annie. And even better - the production would take place at my alma mater, the College of St. Benedict, on the very stage where I used to perform as a member of the Wind Ensemble when I was a student there many years ago. So it was with much excitement that I made that familiar drive to CSB with my parents to see the show with about 15 or so members of my large and supportive extended family. While of course the production of a community theater in St. Cloud is not quite at the level of professional theaters in Minneapolis/St. Paul, the love of live theater and the desire to share that love with the audience and children in the community is still there, and that's what's important. GREAT Theatre (which stands for Great River Educational Arts Theatre) has stated values that include "honoring the imagination of children - their involvement in the arts cultivates curiosity, creativity and endless exploration" and "sharing the wonder of live theatre - the resulting joy is something all people should experience." That's definitely something I can support.

GREAT Theatre borrowed the sets, costumes, and music from the Broadway tour of Annie. Unfortunately the music is canned (they could have easily filled the pit with the talented music students from St. Ben's and St. John's), but the sets and costumes look fabulous on the stage of the Escher Auditorium in the Benedicta Arts Center. GREAT doubled the number of orphans normally in the show to give more children the chance to participate in the show, and who can argue with that? There's really nothing cuter than a bunch of ragamuffin little girls running around the stage singing and dancing, and director/choreographer Alison Feigh does a great job placing them around the large stage and keeping them in line. All of the kids are enthusiastic and joyful and totally in the moment, especially Greta Eherenman as Duffy and Aedyn Colville as the scrappy little Molly. Making her mainstage debut with GREAT, Katie Amdahl does an impressive job as our heroine Annie. The kids are joined by a bunch of experienced adult actors. Standouts include Mike Harens as a very likeable Daddy Warbucks, and Megan Potter (who would fit right in on any Twin Cities stage with her beautiful voice and stage presence) as Mr. Warbucks' assistant Grace.

I brought Greta (and her mom) to see the Peter Rothstein-directed Annie at the Children's Theatre a few years ago (where we met Peter who was sitting right in front of us!). I couldn't be more proud and thrilled to see her up on stage doing the show herself. GREAT Theatre is doing good work bringing live theater to the community and kids in particular, which I think is a pretty cool thing. There could very well be a few future theater stars on that stage, and this experience is helping them along on that journey. I look forward to seeing more GREAT Theatre productions (especially those starring the talented Greta, who I've always known is a star), and perhaps exploring the St. Cloud theater scene a bit more (please email me if you know of other St. Cloud theaters I should check out). Wherever you live, go support your local community theater!

my cousin Greta as Duffy

"Annie" at the Children's Theatre

You don't have to bring a child when you go to the Children's Theatre (especially when the show is the classic Annie directed by the prolific and talented local director Peter Rothstein), but it helps.  So I recruited my 12-year-old cousin (and her mom) to go with me.  I had never seen Annie on stage, just the movie version.  It's a truly joyous event, fun for kids and adults alike.

Of course the star of the show is Annie, and newcomer Megan Fischer (cast through an open audition at the Mall of America) does an amazing job with the role.  She's tough and tender, and has a beautiful strong voice.  But Annie is also a really wonderful ensemble show, and this strong ensemble (made up of CTC regulars and faves from other local theaters) sings and plays together beautifully. Standouts among the cast include Lee Mark Nelson (so heart-breakingly good in Master Butchers Singing Club at the Guthrie last fall) as Daddy Warbucks, transforming from the gruff and serious businessman to a father in love with his new daughter.  The comic relief is provided by the hilarious Angela Timberman as Miss Hannigan, Reed Sigmund as her brother Rooster, and Autumn Ness as his girlfriend Lily St. Regis (there's some really gross gum-exchanging going on between the two of them!).  Reed is almost over the top in his portrayal of Rooster, but it works.  "Easy Street" is one of the highlights, and Miss Hannigan cracked me up every time she called Ms. St. Regis, "you dumb ho ... tel."

In addition to Annie, there are a half dozen young girls playing orphans, and they're all adorable and funny and talented (I particularly enjoyed the "Oh my goodness!" girl).  I've said this before about child actors - I'm always so surprised at their talent, but really, kids are much more in tune with their creative, imaginative side than most adults are, so it shouldn't be surprising that they're good actors.  Still, it's impressive what they do at such a young age (and while still in school!).  The orphans also do a lot of the work of moving set pieces around, which seems natural to the story since mean Miss Hannigan makes them work all day.

In addition to the beautiful ballads "Tomorrow" and "Maybe," and anything the orphans sing (is there anything cuter than a bunch of little girls singing and dancing their hearts out?), I really enjoyed the ensemble songs "N.Y.C" and "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here."  A lot of people moving around the stage in organized chaos (delightful choreography by Michael Matthew Ferrell).  Another highlight is the Annie/Warbucks duet "I Don't Need Anything But You," showcasing the great chemistry between Megan and Mark.

The show has been extended another two weeks through June 19, so you still have time to see it.  Bring a child if you have one.  Or go by yourself if you don't; there's no shame in an adult going to a children's theater when it's this good!