Leapin’ Lizards! Local families can now experience the world’s best-loved musical as Mainstage Center for the Arts presents Annie, Jr., sponsored by Beneficial Bank. You can bet your bottom dollar that kids from 3 to 93 will enjoy this production, which runs July 27–29 at Camden County College’s Dennis Flyer Theatre.
This junior version of Annie is chock full of well-known songs from the Tony-award winning Broadway version including: “Tomorrow,” “Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” and “NYC.”
Annie, Jr. is directed by Caitlin Weaver of Cherry Hill. In addition to the lead characters, the production features a cast of nearly 80 sixth through 12th graders whose singing and dancing are sure to delight.
Annie, Jr. tells the story of a spunky Depression-era orphan, Annie, determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage.
The orphanage is run by the cruel, heartless Miss Hannigan. In adventure after adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil plans, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and finds a new family and home with billionaire Oliver (Daddy) Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
Audiences can take in Annie’s adventures on Wednesday, July 27 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, July 28 and 29, 10:30 a.m. in the newly-renovated, fully accessible Dennis Flyer Theatre, Lincoln Hall, Camden County College, Blackwood.
The Thursday morning show features sign interpretation. The Friday morning performance is part of MCA’s Family Fun Fridays, where for a nominal fee, children can make an Annie, Jr. themed craft project from 9:30 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.
Following this performance, the audience may meet cast members in the courtyard on the left side of Lincoln Hall. In addition, at all Annie, Jr. performances, Mainstage is collecting donations for Covenant House, which provides services to homeless youth and runaways in Philadelphia. It helps them transition to a life with stable housing, a solid educational foundation, and sustained employment.
Ticket prices for daytime performances are $9 for children/senior citizens and $11 for adults. The Wednesday evening performance is $11 for children/seniors and $12 for adults. To purchase tickets, visit www.mainstage.org or call 227–3091. After Annie, Jr., Mainstage will present one final Children’s Theatre production, Disney Princesses and Friends, which runs August 3–5.
