Photo Flash: Farmington Players Barn's ANNIE Opens Tonight

Annie, the feel-good, rags-to-riches musical that took Broadway by storm opens tonight, December 13th at The Farmington Players Barn, and the holiday classic is almost sold out. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Maryanna Lauter of Farmington Hills stars as the rambunctious little redhead who steals Daddy Warbucks' heart. She's almost ten and a half years old, a fifth grader at Warner Upper Elementary School, and she's playing her dream role. "From a parent's point of view, I couldn't be more proud of Maryanna's work so far in developing this role," says her mother Amy Lauter who is co-directing the show. "She pretty much eats, sleeps and breathes Annie"

Annie, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, book by Thomas Meehan is currently enjoying a revival on Broadway. The family-friendly hit tells the tale of the young orphan girl searching for her birth parents. It's based on the "Little Orphan Annie" comic strip of 1924. When the show first hit Broadway in 1977 it was an instant hit, winning seven Tony Awards, including the "triple crown" for best musical, book and score (loaded with toe-tapping hits embedded into the American consciousness; Tomorrow, It's The Hard Knock Life, Maybe, NYC, Easy Street and more)

In The Farmington Players production, Dorne Lefere of Metamora plays the billionaire Warbucks, who hopes to adopt Annie and helps her look for her parents. Director Lauter says Dorne and Maryanna are a treat to see onstage. "From a director's point of view it has been so rewarding to watch the chemistry...You can really see the genuine warm feelings they bring out in one another, which I think the audiences will really enjoy," says Lauter.

Adding to the magic at "The Barn" are exceptional performances by Shannon Groves of South Lyon who plays "Grace Farrell," Warbucks' loyal secretary - with a great deal of class. Rachel Biber of Huntington Woods shines as "Miss Hannigan," the character everyone loves to hate. Brandon Mace of Novi serves up excitement with his portrayal of "Rooster,' and Tony Targan of West Bloomfield plays a charming President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Throw in 16 talented children and "Murphy" who plays "Sandy" the dog and there's a show sure to delight crowds with every performance.

Annie opens December 13th on the Barn's brand new stage floor, and runs through December 29th. The Show is sponsored by Mall Malisow & Cooney, P.C. - Holistic Estate & Eldercare Planning Attorneys. For ticket details check www.farmingtonplayers.org or the box office (248) 553-2955.

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