Tomorrow no longer is just a day away for the Ohio Valley Summer Theater's cast of Annie. The musical, which will run July 16 through Aug. 3, opened last night at Kantner Hall's Elizabeth Baker Theater.
The production is a culmination of about two months worth of work, said Assistant Director and Ohio University graduate student Erika Upchurch. Auditions and set designs began in early May and rehearsals began June 16.
Upchurch said the production about the orphan girl Annie, who finds hope in troubled times, is true to the stage version of the show. But audience members expecting to see a production resembling the 1982 movie version will notice slight differences.
She said Director Bob Winters made a point of being historically accurate. The radio shows being used are real shows from the time period. And this version, unlike the movie, does not downplay the fact that the play is set during the depression.
"It's real depression stuff that the movie glossed over. You catch the time period and get the hopelessness of the time period," Upchurch said. "But hope comes through Annie."
One of the biggest challenges of putting together the production was having children to play the orphans and needing to work around the children's schedules, Upchurch said.
In order to help rest the actors with the largest roles, two Annies and two Oliver Warbucks were cast. TJ Luce, a member of the Ohio Valley Summer Theater board of directors and Annie cast member, said dividing the roles helps to rest the actors' voices and bodies. It has been a good experience and each Annie has been paired with the same Mr. Warbucks for the duration of the performance to keep up the chemistry, he said. An extra show was added to give each girl an equal number of performances.
Luce said it was fun to work with both college students and young children from the area. She said she was amazed by the children's energy and ability.
"Those kids are just showstoppers and show stealers," Luce said. "They say never work with kids or dogs and this is why."
Many of those involved were impressed by how well behaved the children are, especially considering the youngest cast members are just 6 years old.
It is important for parents to come backstage and help keep the children busy so they do not become restless when they are not on stage, said Richard Deans, who plays a citizen of Hooverville.
Dean has worked with the Ohio Valley Summer Theater before behind the scenes, but this is his first time on stage. He said the biggest difference about being onstage, besides being more fun, is the amount of discipline needed.
"(When you are backstage) you're running all over the place," he said.
The Ohio Valley Summer Theatre, started in 1951, is made up of area residents as well as OU students and faculty. According to its mission statement the theater group tries, "to provide quality theatrical training and experience and excellent, affordable family entertainment to the people of Southeastern Ohio through a community/Ohio University partnership."
The show runs Wednesday through Sunday through Aug. 3. Tickets cost $12 for general admission, $9 for seniors and $7 for students. For more information on reserving tickets for Annie call the box office at 593-4800.
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Matt Hutton
