ANNIE, JR. Charms Hearts At The Roxy Regional Theatre

Join everyone's favorite little orphan in her very first adventure this month at the corner of Franklin and First in Historic Downtown Clarksville.

Fifty local youth, ages 8 to 18, from the Roxy Regional School of the Arts present the beloved award-winning musical ANNIE, JR. at the Roxy Regional Theatre, May 18 through June 9.

Mikquala Skelton stars as little orphan Annie, who is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan, a role shared by Jesse Boyle and Rebecca Morrison. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Michael Olson), his personal secretary Grace Farrell (Jasmine Holmes), and a lovable mutt named Sandy. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, the irrepressible comic strip heroine charms the hearts of everyone she meets.

Performing such memorable tunes as "Tomorrow," "NYC," "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" and more, the cast also features Kaylee Abernathy, Jarret Brooks, Audrey Burke, Ansley Byrd, Elisabeth Carroccia, Emma Corman, Caleb Crosby, Lorraine Cutting, Amiyah Dillard, Sebastian Fenton, Hayden Gilbreath, Bryson Hernandez, Jacob Johnson, Bella Johnston, Wesley Kettle, Georgia Litaker, Catalina Lizardo, Kylie McDaniel, Kyleigh Mock, Madison Nemec, Evi Ottati, Emma Petrie, Michael Phillips, Kayla Pickett, Dakota Pixler, Millie Rice, Lillie Rich, Aidan Sartor, Mimi Sears, Bailey Sinks, Mallory Skernivitz, Race Smith, Katie Stafford, Caitlyn Stockton, Paris Taylor, Ellie Thomas, Caroline Watts and Sarah Wilson. Jesse Boyle, Kathryn Davis, Kendra Gardner, Hayden Gilbreath, Sylvia Mendiola, Rebecca Morrison and Michael Phillips provide technical assistance.

Based on the popular comic strip Little Orphan Annie and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with a book and score by Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, ANNIE, JR. is directed by Ryan Bowie, with choreography by Emily Rourke, music direction by Ryan Bowie, technical direction by Koryn Weiman and Molly Burch, and additional acting direction by Jackie Ostick and Michelle Foletta.

Performances run May 18 through June 9 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 6:00pm, with 2:00pm matinees on May 19, May 26, June 2 and June 9. There is no performance on Thursday, May 24.

Friday, May 18, is the traditional pay-what-you-can preview of ANNIE, JR. All tickets not pre-sold at the regular ticket price will go on sale at 5:30pm that evening for a $5 minimum donation.

On Saturday, June 9, patrons are invited to "Lunch with Annie" before the matinee. The party starts at 12:30pm with lunch across the street at Edward's Steakhouse (107 Franklin Street), arts and crafts, and photos with Annie and friends. Tickets are $40 for the package, which includes the 2:00pm performance of ANNIE, JR. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult.

ANNIE, JR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) and is made possible in part through the generous support of Melinda Kelly-Major.

Tickets are $15 and may be reserved online at www.roxyregionaltheatre.org, by phone at (931) 645-7699, or at the theatre during regular box office hours (9:00am to 2:00pm, Monday through Friday, and one hour prior to curtain). Military, APSU students and CitySaver coupon holders can receive two tickets for the price of one to Wednesday and Thursday performances during the run.

The Roxy Regional Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to producing professional live theatre and promoting the arts, with emphasis on education, in Clarksville, Middle Tennessee and the Southeast. The theatre is located at 100 Franklin Street in Historic Downtown Clarksville. For more information, visit www.roxyregionalthreatre.org.

Photo: "Mikquala Skelton stars as Annie in the Roxy Regional School of the Arts production of ANNIE, JR. at the Roxy Regional Theatre, May 18 - June 9"

To post a comment, you must register and login.