'Annie' hits the MLHS stage Thursday

MOSES LAKE - The tale of a Depression-era orphan who makes it to the big time will come to the Moses Lake High School with the music department's production of "Annie" next Thursday through Saturday.

Evening performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday in the high school theater, 803 Sharon Ave. A Saturday matinee is scheduled for 2 p.m.

David Holloway, the school's choral director, is the director. But because he took over the directorial job right before auditions and the start of school, it's been a team effort, he said.

The musical, of course, tells the story of Little Orphan Annie, from the popular 1930s comic strip. Annie (Taylor Yamane in the MLHS production), her dog Sandy (the family dog of cast member Sharon Winningham) and her millionaire - no, billionaire - adoptive father Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks (Tyler Watkins).

The 1977 smash ran on Broadway for almost six years, and the play is popular with community and high school theaters. Charles Strouse wrote the music, with lyrics by Martin Charnin and the book by Thomas Meehan.

"Annie" is a big show with a big story and big production numbers. There are some big challenges in it, with musical structures that high school students don't sing or play very often, Holloway said.

So singing or playing in "Annie" is a big job, Holloway said. Auditions were the first week of school, so the actors and the band will have a little over two months of rehearsal when the curtain goes up. The cast is able to pull it off with a lot of help from their friends.

"Tons of parent support," Holloway said. "Tons of support and help, and we've really pulled it together."

Michael Divelbiss is the vocal director, and Dan Beich is directing the orchestra, which includes some adult volunteers. Pamela Curnel is the choreographer, and D. Jay Kendall is the technical director.

Tami Lybbert volunteered as costume designer and is doing other work behind the scenes, Holloway said. "She's put in 200 hours, easy." Daniel Law is the set designer and another community volunteer, he said.

"It's definitely been a group effort," he said.

When the story opens Annie is trapped in the orphanage run by the villainous Miss Hannigan (Winningham). She's rescued by Grace Farrell (Juliane Gamble), Warbucks' faithful assistant. Annie is grateful to Grace and Warbucks, but more than anything she wants to find her own mom and dad. That catches the attention of scheming nasty Miss Hannigan and her equally scheming, equally nasty family.

Tickets can be reserved; tickets for both reserved and general seating are available at the MLHS office. Reserved seating is $9 and general admission is $8. Senior citizens and children younger than age 8 pay $7 and Moses Lake students pay $6 with an ASB card. Matinee reserved seating is $7, with general admission $6. General admission tickets will be available at the door for all performances.