ANNIE, JR. Begins Today at Stages Theatre Company

Stages Theatre Company (STC) presents the musical Annie, jr., directed by Sandy Boren-Barrett. This beloved musical is based on Little Orphan Annie (permission of The Media Tribune Services, Inc.,) book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin.

This heart-warming musical bounds back on our stage for the third time as plucky and positive Annie charms her way into your heart. Join her fun-filled adventure as she finds a new home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his secretary Grace, and a loveable mutt named Sandy. With all the music you know and love, including "Tomorrow," "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile," and "Hard Knock Life."

This production brings audience favorites and Annie veterans back to our stage! Marilee Mahler (Minnetonka) returns to Stage Theatre Company as Miss Hannigan for the second time. Marilee previously appeared as Miss Hannigan in STC's first production of Annie in 1990. Bruce Rowan (Hopkins) also reprises his role as Daddy Warbucks, having appeared in the 2011 production of Annie, jr.

Approximately 200 talented youth auditioned for roles in this production of Annie, jr., and we are excited to announce the lead role of Annie will be played by Caiah Rodgers (Eden Prairie.) Caiah previously appeared in our 2014 production of The Wiz. She is an amazing young girl that has overcome so much to make her leading role debut. Just shy of her seventh birthday, Caiah was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Now, at the age 14, she is healthy and cancer free. Caiah appeared on stage with Jearlynn Steele and the Remnants, singing Rachel Platton's "Fight Song," at the 2015 Children's Cancer Research Fund Gala, and also performed Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" at the Star Gala Fundraiser for Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota in 2013.

The complete local cast is as follows:

Ellen Anderson (Maple Grove,) Faith Barrett (Maple Plain,) Celia Birgy (Hopkins,) Ava Byrne (Lakeville,) Kimora Collins (Crystal,) Natalie Dekker (Prior Lake,) Sophie Farrell (Hopkins,) Trevor Hendrix (Crystal,) Maia Hernandez (Minneapolis,) Zoe Hollander (Robbinsdale,) Reese Johnson (Golden Valley,) Clare Judge (Minnetonka,) Molly Krueger (New Hope,) Marilee Mahler (Minnetonka,) Bridget Miller (Hopkins,) George Mulder (Eden Prairie,) Greta Nackerud (St. Louis Park,) Rhianna Picht (Eden Prairie,) Abby Reynolds (New Hope,) Caiah Rodgers (Eden Prairie,) Bruce Rowan (Hopkins,) Ethan Schaner (Minneapolis,) Hannah Seeman (Chanhassen,) Ellie Turk (Minnetrista,) and Josie Turk (Minnetrista.)

The creative team for Annie, jr. includes:

• Artistic Director / Director - Sandy Boren-Barrett
• Assistant Director - Kallie Jo Ascheman
• Music Director - Sarah Hohenstein Burk
• Stage Manager - Cody R. Braudt
• Lighting Designer - Mike Kittle
• Technical Director - Gretchen Katt
• Costume & Make-Up Designer - Lisa Mangone
• Choreographer - Laura Mahler
• Sound Designer - Alan Pagel
• Production Manager - Melanie Salmon-Peterson
• Props Designer - Jim Hibbeler
• Set Designer - Benjamin Olsen

Annie, jr. opens tomorrow, June 24th and runs through Sunday, July 31, and is for all ages. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.stagestheatre.org for performance dates and times, or by calling the Box Office at (952) 979-1111, option 4, Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adults; $14 for seniors, ages 60+; $12 for children, ages 5 to 17.

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