Annie Jnr.

Right now I am sitting in bed with the flu, but I feel like I deserve a good rest because I have just been through another (probably 6 months) of rehearsals and show week! Yes I completed my Second Musical Production with BATS Theater Company!

The three Boylan sisters and Sandy

My love of Annie the musical started with my childhood hours of watching the 1982 film Annie. Then there was the day I'll never forget on my 9th birthday. Mum took me out of school, (yes I got a day off school without protest...whoa!) and I had no clue what we were doing. It's the little things that have always gotten me excited. But it turned out that, mum, my neighbor, her mother and I were going to see ANNIE, IN THE CITY, AT A THEATRE! Wow! (Yes kids, in those days, I lived in the country and the city was a far off magical place!.... Yes Adults, that was only 14 years ago...) I won't crap on too much about this very special day, but it is a big memory for me because I knew that this was the beginning of my love for theater. Little 9 year old me, knew that every light, every person, every instrument, every prop had a purpose and there was just too much to take in!

So getting back to the production I was in ANNIE JNR. Yes, I know I keep repeating myself, but I am in awe of not only the role I played, but the whole experience of being in a musical production, amateur or not is just such a big deal for me! I played Annette the maid ('Silk, no the satin sheets I think') Yes I had a line! But the role I was originally cast in and auditioned for was a Boylan sister! (Omg, my dream.) Which I performed with all my might.

So like my last post from my last show http://kkspassion.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/a-beautiful-theatrical-beginning.html I will now give a review as I am such an expert... not..

'It's a hard knock life!'

The show began with the beautiful, scruffy, young orphans. The extremely talented actress playing Molly began the show with her crying from a nightmare about her parents. When Annie comforted her, the hopeful song of 'Maybe' began and the cast in this scene performed beautifully every single show. Some of the cast were in their first show and who could tell? Such a talented bunch. The orphans Molly, Pepper, Tessie, Kate, July and Duffy started to drift off to sleep when they were woken by Annie trying to sneak out of the orphanage. When the scheming Pepper got up and pushed her right into the arms of Miss Hannigan! - and let me just add... WOW!

'Heya Aggie.' 'Oh Bundles Get outta' here with that laundry!'

Miss Hannigan was the epitome of Miss Hannigan from the 1982 'Annie' film. She was the lipstick, the pearls and the curls of the disgruntled, house mother of an orphanage full of little BRAT's! As Miss Hannigan dealt with Annie and got all of the orphans out of bed, she swayed around stage, a blur of children racing around complaining of a 'hard knock life.'

Then along came Mr. Bundles to woo Miss Hannigan and distract her while Annie became a stowaway in Bundles' laundry cart. Mr. Bundles was the mellow, flirt, happy to chat to anyone and everyone - on and off stage!

On the street, Annie wandered off as Mr. Bundles discreetly let her go into the street where she found her true friend - Sandy.

Annie and Sandy

So Sandy stuck with the talented, feisty, Annie as she was captured by the policeman and taken back to the dreaded orphanage....

However, here is where things took a turn for the... better!

As a proud, 'graceful' secretary-type woman strolled into the orphanage and took a addressed Miss Hannigan (who'd been swooning and uh, dribbling, lipstick stain and all, over the soulful sound of the radio. Grace as her name preceded her to be, asked Miss Hanigan for an orphan, for Oliver Warbucks, the mill... uh billionaire to look after in his home. Cheeky Annie was of course on top of this...

Annie was picked and out of the orphanage again, but in the meantime...

 "Rooster!" cried miss Hannigan as her brother entered, his cocky attitude matching his moustache and sleazy manner. Miss Hannigan's surprise quickly turned to disgust when she remembered her brothers way of always needing a penny or two... Then along came Lily.

A 'broad' from New Jersey... She accompanied Rooster with a perfect harmony of high and low notes in 'Easy street' along with Miss Hannigan. Three actors couldn't have done it better as they marched and whirled across Miss Hannigan's office. Lily may have stolen a few pearls as they did so and Miss Hannigan was left in a daze as Rooster and his girl strolled off to scam some new innocent after just leaving jail....

From back left: Butlers, Cecil, Mrs. Greer, Annette, Drake and Mrs. Pugh
Front: Grace and Annie

Grace, another talented actress had a lovely voice and demeanor as she introduced the mansion staff to Annie - full of awe and amazement in the presence of not only people wanting to please her, but the wondrous mansion.

'Good afternoon sir'

'We think you're gonna like it here.'

After being introduced to the multi-talented mansion staff, Oliver Warbucks made his presence on stage. The actor was absolutely incredible and I am not just saying that, Warbucks was full of talent, could hold the audience captive and project to everyone while still keeping the strict demeanor of his character. 



Mr. Warbucks, a busy man soon ascended back into his work, shortly after meeting Annie. The Mansion servants went back to cleaning as Annie looked around in awe. Grace made the suggestion that they welcome Annie properly...

Mr. Warbucks and Grace decided to treat Annie to the sights of 'NYC,' leading Annie through the hustle of downtown New York City, the mansion and the rest of Annie's journey, always caring, always by her side.

'What's that? you're coming to dinner?'

It didn't take long for Warbucks to make the decision to adopt Annie, so off Grace went to speak with Miss Hannigan.

But to everyone's surprise, when grace arrived back, with a present for Warbucks to give to Annie, Annie didn't want to be adopted. She wanted to find her parents.

Mr. Warbucks attempted all he could to hunt Annie's parents down and even called in favours with a radio show and the President!

Bert Healy of the radio Oxydent hour presented Annie and Mr. Warbucks' dilemma to the world in his own wacky, boisterous way, a great actor with the ability to continue smiling... even when Warbucks' spoke the 'actions' on the script.... clearly not an actor fit for radio.... The lovely, darling, magnificent.... cough*... Boylan sister's looked on, in uh... boredom and sung 'You're never fully dressed without a smile' with Bert very professionally, because well, these girls are professionals, thank-you. But in all seriousness, this scene combined the radio crew with their 'doo, doo, doo, doos' as backup and clearly knew what they were doing, handling papers and expensive equipment all while acting professionally for their radio show.

So Annie had put the word out there to find her parents with great help from Warbucks whom she was getting attached to...

Meanwhile, back at the orphanage, the orphans were still driving Miss. Hannigan crazy, singing along to the Oxydent hour on the radio, mimicking the Boylan sisters, Molly and Tessie Portraying Bert Healy. It was a sight of fun and laughter, happy for Annie and the orphans just having a genuinely good time, until Miss. Hannigan blew her whistle.

She collapsed in her chair as the orphans ran off laughing and took a swig of her drink as Mr. Mudge entered, Mrs. Mudge in tow, disturbing, well I wouldn't call it peace... Miss Hannigan ignored them, distracted. Then they claimed they were Annie's parents. She told them that was impossible. That Annie's parents died in a fire years ago. Then Rooster revealed himself as well as Lily to be the con artists behind the best scam ever to trick Warbucks', get the money they 'deserve' and make their way down 'easy street!'

So the plan was in motion and the memo was sent to Mr. Warbuck's that Annie's parents had been found! Everyone was happy.

Then Grace did some research....

Before Christmas, Mr, Warbucks asked Annie to invite the orphans to the mansion for a little party. "Miss Hannigan too?" Exclaimed Annie. "Of course!" said Warbucks, growing oh so much more attached to the little girl.

Then came the song: 'You won't be an orphan for long.'

Warbucks sung this with such strength and his usual business-like facade faded from a spotlight to darkness as the dismal house staff came onstage, decorating the Christmas tree in a ballet sequence of sadness.

As the maids went to cleaning, Warbucks, Grace and President Roosevelt, along with a policeman entered, informing Annie, on the scam that is Miss Hannigan, Rooster and Lily...

 Then as the orphans and Miss Hannigan came to the mansion in their finery, the place was filled with joy. Orphans leaped at the tree and opened presents, with help from the maids. Miss Hannigan took in the sights of the mansion and wandered around as the Mudge's came in to claim their 'daughter.'

 Before they could, Warbucks presented them with a cheque stating 'the jig is up!' and as everyone flew into a panic, the police came to arrest the Hannigan's and Lily.

Miss Hannigan plading with Annie

So the 'crooks' were stopped and the household rejoiced, Warbucks told Annie he was going to adopt her and everyone sang 'The sun'll come out tomorrow' as Sandy the dog came onstage, sending the crowd into 'awwws.'

The End!

My second experience with this show was amazing and I really enjoyed every moment of it. I made some great friends and everyone was really lovely.

The backstage crew were amazing and the BATS staff too, Thank you also to the Director and everyone who was there for rehearsals, etc.

I wish I could thank you all personally and to everyone in the audience also.

I also met my new best friend Michelle during this show and I'd love to thank her for being my pal, we have already done so much together and have so much planned for the future!

KK

Michelle and I

The girls backstage

*Disclaimer: Names and photos will not be printed due to unauthorised permission or absence of permission and general privacy. The photo's displayed have been from Mark Symonds photography(c) and have been authorised by cast and parents of those under 18 years of age.