Leapin' Lizards, It's Annie! at Musicals at Richter in Danbury

There are some musicals that will forever be seen a certain way, thanks to the movie adaptations. We will forever associate The Sound of Music with Julie Andrews running through the Austrian mountains. We will forever see Liza Minielli singing Mein Herr when Cabaret is mentioned. And in more recent movie history, audiences will immediately think of John Travolta when Hairspray is brought up in conversation. But perhaps the most famous of movie musical nostalgia lies in the 1982 movie adaptation which, I’m sad to say, strayed so far from the original source material that parts of it are nearly forgotten. Many current stage adaptions sadly now work to emulate the movie instead of the original musical.

However, I am happy to report that the production running currently at Musicals at Richter stays true to the original musical and does not pander to audiences who have only ever seen the movie. The plot follows the story of Annie, a spirited and overly optimistic orphan girl living in New York City who wants nothing more than to be reunited the parents who left her at an orphanage when she was only a few months old. After a failed escape attempt, she is given the opportunity to spend two weeks in the home of the richest man in Manhattan, who is quickly charmed by her and works to help her find her parents.

My problem with many productions of Annie is the casting of Annie herself; in the 1982 movie, she was portrayed by Aileen Quinn, who had a huge mop of curly red hair. Since then, many productions have tried their darndest to find the biggest, curliest red wig they can find on the most annoying over acting little girl who showed up to auditions. Richter did the part justice in their casting with Samantha Treppeda, who was able to bring out the sheer joy the character is supposed to have for life – and she did it with her own hair, not a huge loofa. Joining her in the orphanage were Lily Calipa, Lara Cruzado, Abigail Rivas, Amelie Simard, Cadence Siriani, Sophie O’Hara, Emma Lubbers, Ciara Cuneo, Ainsley Dahlstrom, and Ella Zamek. This crew of young ladies provided an excellent and comedic – if a bit shrill at times – support for Treppeda’s Annie.

Walt Cramer provided a very upright and convincing Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks. His secretary, Grace Farrell, was played by the elegant Claire Simard. Priscilla Squires shone as the evil and alcoholic orphanage caretaker Miss Hannigan. Bobby Bria and Lisa Dahlstrom were absolutely slimy as the con artist Rooster and his airheaded girlfriend Lily. Michael Wright was an absolutely convincing FDR, down to his slicked back hair to his vocal inflections. Rounding out the cast as servants, streetfolk, and Cabinet Members were Maiya Urquhart, Emily Walsh, Rob Mayette, Maddy Oldham, Jennifer Wallace, Daisy Stott, Brian Zamek, Jose Alves, Will Armstrong, Madison Bielmeier, Michele Dugan, Joshua Grill, Donovan Koch, Jane Mead, Viola Minor, and Rachael Sheldon.

Remaining performances are on August 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th. The grounds open at 7:15 for picnicking; showtime is at 8 PM. Adult tickets are $25.00, Senior/Student tickets are $20.00, and children under 10 are $15.00. If you’re looking for a fun night of theatre for the family, give Annie a chance, you will not be not be disappointed.

www.MusicalsatRichter.org

Photo credit to David Henningsen