ShenanArts is proud to announce it's upcoming production of the immensely popular, classic American musical Annie. The 1977 Tony award winner for Best Musical will open on Friday, August 7. There will be performances on August 7-9 and 14-16 at Stage4 Theatre in Verona.
Along with the Best Musical Tony, Annie also won Tonys for Best Score and Best Book at the 1977 awards that recognize the best Broadway has to offer. Music was written by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and book by Thomas Meehan, who later went on to write the book for such Broadway smashes as Hairspray, The Producers, and Young Frankenstein.
The ShenanArts production, directed by Jeff McDaniel, features 12 year old Emily Henline, as Annie. Miss Henline was last seen at ShenanArts when she wowed audiences as Iris in Children's Letters To God in February. In addition to performing in musicals with ShenanArts, Miss Henline also performs as a vocalist in the area and recently appeared on the Virginia Dreams Center Stage TV show, broadcast on WHSV-TV3 in Harrisonburg.
The cast also features Waynesboro Players and Oak Grove veteran Ed Smith as Warbucks, ShenanArts newcomer Anna Wykes as Grace, ShenanArts veterans Cori McDaniel as Miss Hannigan, Greg Humphries as Rooster, Kyla Daniel as Lilly, Morgan McDowell as Bert Healy and Rachel Berger as the Star-To-Be.
"I cannot think of a greater musical to offer right now than Annie", says director Jeff McDaniel. "With it's Great Depression setting and little Annie's optimism for a better world tomorrow, it's a great message for not giving up in these trying times we are facing today." McDaniel adds. "I am hoping that families come out to see this production together. It is family friendly entertainment at it's best!" concludes McDaniel.
Show time for the performances are 7:30pm on Friday and Saturday nights, and 3:00pm for the Sunday matinees. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the ShenanArts box office at 540.248.1868. Prices are $16 for reserved, $12 for adult general admission, and $8 for student general admission.
