Penobscot Theatre Company's ANNIE Goes On Sale 10/1; Cast Announced

Penobscot Theatre Company has announced the cast and design team for its holiday production of ANNIE (December 5 - December 29th). Tickets will go on sale to the public, Monday, October 1st at noon.

ANNIE, which makes its triumphant return to Broadway after 35 years this month, is the 7-time Tony Award winning musical based on the Little Orphan Annie comic strip. Annie, the spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, takes audiences on adventure after fun filled adventure as she foils Miss Hannigan's evil schemes, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks along with her lovable mutt, Sandy.

"A lot of people forget, ANNIE ends with one of the most iconic Christmas scenes of all time," says Penobscot Theatre Company Artistic Director, Bari Newport. "It really is the perfect holiday musical."

Over seventy five young actresses auditioned and nine were cast. "These were the hardest casting decisions I have ever had to make," Newport says. "The turnout was overwhelming. It's so nice to have choices!"

Kate Fogg and Lana Sabbagh will share the title role of Annie and will alternate performances. Kate is a 7th Grader at Holbrook Middle School and was seen on the PTC stage last season in A CHRISTMAS STORY. She says, "This should a wonderful experience that I will never forget!" Lana is in the 6th grade at Brewer Community School and was seen in PTC's THE BLUEBERRY BALLADEER last spring. "I can't wait to get out on stage and sing my heart out," remarks Lana.

The casting of the rest of the orphans include 13 year old Kate Adam of William S Cohen School, 11 year old Amanda Bustard of Dedham School, 8 year old Emma Campbell of Leroy H Smith School, 10 year old Molly Haggerty at Mary Snow School, 11 year old Maia Loeb at Brewer Community School, 12 year old Abigail Thompson at Reeds Brook Middle School and 10 year old Raiya Vikberg at Downeast Christian School.

As Daddy Warbucks, PTC welcomes Brendan Powers. Powers credits include work at Seacoast Rep, Florida Rep, Mill Mountain Theatre, Flat Rock Playhouse, North Shore Music Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse, Hippodrome Theatre and at the Irish Classical Theatre.

AJ Mooney (Miss Hannigan), Dominick Varney (Rooster), Christie Robinson (Lily), Brianne Beck (Grace), Jasmine Ireland, Ben Layman, Bob Potts, Stephanie Colovito and Joshua Schmersal make up the rest of the adult cast, with one role yet to be announced.

To play the canine role of Sandy, Newport auditioned eighteen community dogs with the help of Don Hanson of Green Acres Kennels. The dog chosen, ZuZu a two year old bulldog, will be showcased along with the young Cast of ANNIE at the Humane Society's Paws on Parade on October 6th. Penobscot Theatre Company's production of ANNIE is proudly produced in partnership with the Bangor Humane Society.

The design team responsible for the creation of the elaborate world of the play include Shannon Zura (set design), Shon Causer (lighting design), Rebecca Wright (costume design) and Meredith Perry (properties design). The five piece band will be led by Musical Director John Haskell. Choreography will be created by Nathan Halvorson. ANNIE will be directed by Bari Newport.

Tickets are $15 for youth under 18 and $30 for adults. ANNIE tickets make excellent holiday gifts. Purchase tickets, subscriptions and gift certificates online at www.penobscottheatre.org, or through the Box Office at 207-947-6618.

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