Pittsburgh CLO ‘adopts’ talented kids to join veteran actors on stage
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh CLO casts 31 young local performers, including 8-year-old Lexie Rohlf of Grindstone, to star in the musical production of “Annie” Tuesday through Thursday, July 3, at the Benedum Center. After auditioning this past spring, these bright young stars will provide fun for the whole family as they play a precocious set of Manhattan orphans.
This is just one of the ways through which Pittsburgh CLO demonstrates its dedication to and development of aspiring young area artists, according to a recent press release.
Commanding the title role of the lovable and outspoken orphan Annie is Meredythe Kimmel, a Pittsburgh CLO Academy student and Mini Star from Ingomar Middle School.
No stranger to the stage, she has performed in several local productions, including the CLO’s “The Wizard of Oz” last summer.
Joining Kimmel as the soot-smudged, overworked orphans are Lyric Ackelson (Tessie) of Butler; Hillary Maloney (Kate) of Upper St. Clair; Rosanna Paterra (July) of Pittsburgh; Katelyn Pippy (Pepper) of Moon Township; Mia Parillo (Duffy) of Derry; and Lexie Rohlf (Molly) of Grindstone.
The following area youngsters round out the “Annie” children’s chorus in the production. They include Molly Altmire and Amanda Gilmore of Moon Township; Maurissa Auer of Greensburg; Carly Bondar of Sewickley; Gillian Fitzgerald of Allison Park; Carly Harris of Oakdale; Paige Kiliany of Gibsonia; Morgan Mihelic of Bethel Park; Meagan Mszyco of New Kensington; Caitlin O’Connor of Aliquippa; Kristin Serafini of Bethel Park; Jordan Thorpe of Glenshaw; Bettina Vaccarello of Apollo; Kelsey Wilson of Ellwood City; Rachel Yurchak of Imperial; Eugenia Finizio, Elena LaQuatra, Courtney Neville and Emma Wagner of Mount Lebanon; Eliana Latterman of Jefferson Hills, Maura McDaniel of North Allegheny; Shannon Sullivan of Shaler; and Rehima Jordan and Heidi Pappert of Pittsburgh.
As well as local children, the production will also feature veteran actors.
Returning to the CLO stage to reprise his role of billionaire tycoon Daddy Warbucks is veteran performer Conrad John Schuck.
Schuck starred in the 1997 Broadway revival, as well as the nation tour and CLO’s acclaimed 1996 production. He also starred in the 1999 Broadway revival of “Annie Get Your Gun.” At Pittsburgh CLO, he also appeared in “The Most Happy Fella,” “She Loves Me,” “Peter Pan” and “The Sound of Music.”
His extensive television and film credits include “McMillan and Wife,” “Dick Tracy,” “Star Trek VI,” “Star Trek IV,” and most recently, “Law & Order” and “NYPD Blue.”
Two-time Emmy Award-winning actress Sally Struthers will join the cast as Miss Hannigan, a role she has performed during the 20th anniversary national tour.
Struthers is best known for her inspired portrayal of Gloria Stivic on the legendary television series “All In the Family.”
On Broadway, she appeared in Neil Simon’s female version of “The Odd Couple” and “Wally’s Caf’,” as well as Tommy Tune’s Broadway production of “Grease.”
Lynne Wintersteller comes to the CLO as Grace Farrell. She has performed on Broadway in the Tony-nominated “A Grand Night for Singing” and the national tour of “Company.”
Wintersteller will be joined on stage by the talented Beth Glover as Lily St. Regis, Jim Walton as Rooster, Tim Hartman as President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jeff Howell as Drake and Scott Sambuco as Bert Healy/Bundles McCloskey.
Other upcoming CLO productions include “My Fair Lady,” July 8-20; “Funny Girl,” July 22-Aug. 3; “She Loves Me,” Aug. 5-10; and “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” Aug. 12-17.
Tickets to all Pittsburgh CLO are available online at www.pittsburghCLO.org or by calling the Benedum Center box office at 412-456-6666.
Groups of 20 or more should call the group sales hotline at 412-263-2560 for special discounted tickets.
Student tickets are also available. Call 412-281-2822 for more information.