Pepper, Norris-Light lead ANNIE Cast for Bethlehem Players

 

Johnny Peppers and Jenny Norris-Light lead the cast of Bethlehem Players' Annie, opening Friday, March 4, at Franklin's Bethlehem United Methodist Church, running through March 13. Directed by Dietz Osborne, each performance of the classic musical comedy will give audience members the chance to adopt a special dog from Happy Tales Humane.

Harry Robinson, director of BUMC arts and music, says Annie features "an incredible community theater cast of adult singers/actors, a talented ensemble of orphans and the unique opportunity to adopt a special dog each evening."

"With professional director Dietz Osborne and amazing musicians, Annie will be musical theater magic for the whole family with songs like 'Tomorrow' and 'NYC.' Our talented cast - including Cate Tucker and Mackenzie Roberts alternating the role of Annie - are joined onstage by theatre veterans Johnny Peppers and Jenny Norris-Light, seen regularly at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, with the voices of Mix 92.9's Bryan Sargent and WAKM's Tom Lawrence serving as the 1930s radio announcers," Robinson said. "An exciting element of our production is our partnership with Happy Tales Humane featuring a special dog at each performance available for adoption."

In addition to the cast dog, Sandy, a Happy Tales dog will appear onstage in various crowd scenes and will be available for adoption. Interested audience members can visit with the dog during intermission and immediately following the show for possible adoption.

The production will have five shows without meals, three dinner shows and four lunch matinees that will give guests the opportunity to have a picture made with Annie and The Gang.

Annie is presented by the Bethlehem Players community theater at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 2419 Bethlehem Loop Road, Franklin, during selected times March 4-13. Shows without a dinner are presented March 4, 5, 11, 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. Lunch with "Annie and The Gang" are March 5, 6, 12 and 13, with box lunch at 12:30 p.m. and the show at 2 p.m. Dinner shows are March 7, 8, and 10 at 4:45 p.m. and the show at 6 p.m. Tickets are sold to shows only for each of the performances as well.

Annie and orphans are double cast with Cate Tucker as Red Cast "Annie" performing with orphans Kayte Miller, Lydia Crider, Sydney Carr, Lauren Haynes, Mary Claire Armistead, Emily Baker, Diana Richards, and Bryanna Richards. Blue Cast "Annie" is Mackenzie Roberts with orphans Jordan Harvey, Reagan Gibbs, Kelly Sasseen, Addie Leonard, Emma Brugman, McKenna Harrington, Morgan Amond, Miranda Hunter and Katherine Light.

Tickets for show-only are $15 for adults and $10 for high school students and younger. Dinner show tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for high students and younger. A 10% discount is available for groups 10 or more paying with one check. For more information, visit www.ticketsnashville.com, www.bethlehemumc.com, or call (615) 791-6456, ext. 2.

The Bethlehem Players are celebrating their 14^thyear, staging productions in the Bethlehem Performing Arts Center. The community theater outreach program was founded in 1997 by Robinson. Since its inception, the Bethlehem Players have successfully staged for packed audiences everything from The Sound of Music to Steel Magnolias. The acting troupe launched its first world premiere, Southern Fried Funeral, an original comedy by Osborne & Eppler, in 2010.

Happy Tales Humane is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of animals in Middle Tennessee by rescuing, caring for, and finding adoptive homes for unwanted pets; by taking action to prevent pet overpopulation; by fostering a respect for all life; by encouraging volunteerism; and by educating the community about responsible pet guardianship. For more info, visit their website at www.happytaleshumane.com.

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