‘Annie’ is back after 10-year hiatus
The sun will come out tomorrow.
Well, at least that's what Minneota High School Theatre Department will try to convince us of that this weekend.
After a 10-year hiatus, Minneota is bringing “Annie” back for an evening production on Saturday, Nov. 18 and a matinee on Sunday, Nov. 19 in the Minneota High School gymnasium.
There will also be school matinee on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Co-directing the musical will be Mary Kay Rabaey and John Voit.
“A big challenge for us when selecting a musical this year was trying to find a show that fit our young and mostly female cast,” said Rabaey.
Seventh-grader Autumn Dovre will play the role of “Annie”, the 11-year-old orphan looking for her birth parents and eventually ends up being adopted by Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks.
“When selecting 'Annie', we looked for someone who displayed a youthful exuberance for life and could sing with confidence,” explained Rabaey.
“We also made sure that there was parental support. This is a major role – requiring attendance at almost every rehearsal and significant memorization.”
Dovre participated in both Marshall's Summer Theatre program and the Minneota speech team.
“It seemed a perfect fit,” Rabaey remarked. Warbucks, the billionaire businessman who opens his home and eventually his heart to Annie, will be played by Zach Van Keulen.
There are a total of 58 cast and crew members in this production of Annie (see cast and crew list on page 3). There won't be a real dog on stage playing the part of Sandy, though, an abandoned mixed breed who Annie rescues.
Sixth-grader Joe Voit will take on the role of the dog while donning a makeshift costume.
“Joe assumes the role of Sandy in a cat costume that Sheila Tabaka (of the Southwest Minnesota State University Theatre Department) has refashioned for us to look more canine,” said Rabaey.
“The first time we did this show, a real dog was used, but the poor creature was a nervous wreck, crated in a strange environment and surrounded by cast members trying to pet and play with him. Not a good situation.”
With only two seniors and three juniors, this year's cast is dominated by underclassmen. “In the past week, as we approach 'crunch time', it has been amazing to see our veteran sophomores stepping up and coaching younger cast members by fine-tuning choreography, organizing line memorization, study groups and more,” said Rabaey.
One of the problems with any production in a small school is working rehearsal time into the students' schedule.
“Scheduling rehearsals is always tough in a small school where students are involved in multiple activities,” said Rabaey.
“Working with a younger cast also means that many rely on parents for transportation.”
“Most of our rehearsals are in the evening, but we really try to keep an 8:30 p.m. end time since we have kids who drive from Ivanhoe.”
In the 2007 version of “Annie” performed in Minneota, Rachel Cheadle played “Annie” and her older brother, Joseph, played Daddy Warbucks' butler, Drake.
Joseph will be playing trumpet in the orchestra during this year's performances.
This will be Rabaey's 29th overall production as director, including 27 with Voit.
“To witness the metamorphosis that occurs in students from 'first read-through' to opening night will never grow old,” Rabaey insisted.
‘Annie’ Cast list
Annie – Autumn Dovre
Daddy Warbucks – Zach Van Keulen
Grace – Cecilia Rabaey
Miss Hannigan – Liz Voit
Rooster Hannigan – Jacob Haen
Lily St. Regis – Natalie Bot
Franklin Delano Roosevelt – Noel Swedzinski
Lieutenant Ward – Emma Fischer
Rising Star – Emma Lipinski
Sandy – Joseph Voit
Orphans – Pepper: Ella Bot, Duffy: Sophia Fischer, July: Norah Fadness, Molly: Joey Clark, Kate: Sylvia Rabaey, Tessie: Alyssa Engels, Emma: Emma Lipinski.
Hooverites – Natalie Bot, Hannah Brewers, Mattea DeSmet, Ben Engels, Cora Engels, Rachel Engels, Jacob Haen, Jackson Jeremiason, Katie Landrus, Tara Thooft, Joe Verschelde.
Warbucks’ staff – Drake: Jackson Jeremiason, Mrs. Pugh: Hannah Brewers, Mrs. Greer: Mattea DeSmet, Cecille: Tara Thooft, Annette: Katie Landrus, Ben Engels and Joe Verschelde.
Radio Show personnel – Sound effects: Hannah Brewers, Katie Landrus; Jimmy Johnson: Jackson Jeremiason; Fred McCracken: Ben Engels; Wacky: Jacob Haen; Burt Healy: Joe Verschelde;
The Boylan Sisters: Mattea DeSmet, Emma Lipinski, Tara Thooft.
FDR’s Cabinet – Frances Perkins: Cora Engels, Harold Ickes: Ben Engels, Cordell Hull: Joe Verschelde, Morganthau: Jackson Jeremiason, Nurse Howe: Rachel Engels.
Crew – Backstage: Ross Abraham, Allison Citterman, Grace Jeremiason, McKenzie Monnet, Mia Olsen, Terese Speltz, Maud Visser; Spotlight: Teagan Welsh; Sound: Ashlynn Monnet.