‘State Theatre Center for the Arts hosts optimistic production ‘Annie’
Producer Ron Iannone realized the nation has been through a lot in the past year: terrorist attacks, the war, anthrax scares and a failing economy. So when selecting a show for West Virginia Public Theatre to bring to its annual production in Uniontown, he chose a story that carried a theme of hope: “Annie.’
“I like ‘Annie’ because there tends to be this pessimistic view of the world because of the economy and the war looming over us,’ Iannone explained. “‘Annie’ presents an optimistic way of looking at the world: the sun will come out tomorrow, look at the positive, don’t emphasize the negative.’
He continued, “Children will do this and we need to look at the world through the eyes of children. They are innocent, curious and wide-eyed. I love this show.’
“Annie’ will play at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. The beloved show includes such favorite songs as “It’s a Hard-Knock Life,’ “N.Y.C.,’ “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile’ and “Tomorrow.’
Based on the popular comic strip “Lil’ Orphan Annie,’ “Annie’ takes place in December 1933 and begins in an orphanage, directed by the villainous Miss Hannigan. Annie, one of the orphans, makes an attempt to run away to find her parents, who left her at the orphanage with one-half of a silver locket and a promise to reclaim her.
She befriends a dog, whom she names Sandy, but is taken back to the orphanage by a police officer. As Miss Hannigan is threatening Annie, she is visited by Grace Farrell, the private secretary of billionaire Oliver Warbucks who wants to invite an orphan to his mansion for Christmas. Grace takes Annie back to the mansion where she wins over Mr. Warbucks, who wants to adopt the little girl. Annie, however, has not given up on finding her real parents and Warbucks offers to help her by posting a $50,000 reward to anyone who can prove they are Annie’s parent. But Miss Hannigan, her brother Rooster and his girlfriend Lily plot to steal the money and ruin Annie’s happiness.
The WVPT production stars John Kenton Shull of Los Angeles as Oliver “Daddy’ Warbucks. He formerly played the role in a 2001 production for WVPT and performed it this summer at Starlight Theatre in San Diego, California. Shull has also appeared in a number of national television commercials and episodes of “Star Trek.’ On stage, he has appeared with Betty Buckley, Joe Mantegna and Carol Burnett.
Chelsea Creegroen of Scottsdale, Ariz., as Annie. She recently appeared with Stull in the California production of “Annie.’ Connie SaLoutos, who previously starred in a WVPT production of “Chicago,’ will play Miss Hannigan.
A number of local residents also have parts in the show. They include Jesse Lowry of Connellsville, who plays Rooster Hannigan; Jillian Guthrie of Vanderbilt, who portrays the orphan Pepper; Lexie Rohlf of Grindstone, who will be the orphan Kate; her father, Michael Rolf, plays Drake, the butler; and the ensemble includes Laura Sciullo of Uniontown, Butch Wagner of Connellsville and Justin Wirik of Uniontown.
“Annie’ continues a partnership between WVPT and the State Theatre which has included productions of “Streets of Gold,’ “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ and “Grease.’
Chris Wagner, executive director of the State Theatre, said, “We’re very happy we have this relationship.’
Tickets are on sale at the State Theatre Center for the Arts. For more information, phone 724-439-1360.