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Energetic performances, music add sparkle to "Annie" at Summer Place
Author: Keith R. Carlson
SUN CORRESPONDENT - June 1999
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"Annie" is one of the most regularly
produced musicals in community theaters because of its
large and age-spanning cast. It is no secret, then, that some people have seen "Annie"
quite a few times. Dare it be said that a few are tired of it. Frequency aside, the fact
remains that "Annie" is filled with wonderful, memorable songs. The Summer Place Theatre
is now offering some summer fun with a loving production of "Annie" that is filled with
many enjoyable moments at the Naperville Central High School Auditorium.
We all know the story by now - a red-headed spitfire of an orphan, Annie
(Kallie Flynn Childress), gives the mean-spirited orphanage supervisor, Miss
Hannigan (Corrie Graham), a run for her money. Believing that her parents
are planning to return for her, Annie's adventures include an escape from
the orphanage and a Christmas visit to the home of New York-based billionaire
Oliver Warbucks (Steven A. Zeidler).
Expecting a boy orphan to arrive, Warbucks is nonetheless taken with Annie
and soon decides to adopt her. Though grateful, Annie refuses to give up
hope of finding her parents, and a nationwide search ensues - one large enough
to enlist the assistance of President Franklin D. Roosevelt (Jerry Juzwiak).
Along the way, we spend time with the other girls in the orphanage, as well
as the servants in Warbucks' mansion. We also dive into Hannigan's darker
side. None of this, of course, is done without loads of humor and some of the
catchiest songs written for the Broadway state in the last 30 years.
Childress tackles the title role with gust. Absolutely adorable as Annie,
she possesses the familiar vocal quality of Annie's past. Where she lacks
in singing technique and polish, she makes up in power and charm. Her voice
is clear and strong, and her ability to command the stage is impressive. Even
under the pressure of handling a dog on stage (Sandy, played by the crowd-pleasing
Bruno), Childress never fails.
There were many laughs throughout the show, but few performances won more of them
than Graham as Hannigan. Playing Miss Hannigan might be one of the most thankless
roles in the Broadway repertoire, with the ghost of Carol Burnett (who made the
part famous on film) looming so heavily over the part that there were times when
Graham seemed to be playing Miss Burnett instead of Miss Hannigan.
In the long run, however, none of this mattered much, largely due to Graham's
wicked joy on stage. Completely unashamed, every torso twist, hand gesture and
facial contortion succeeded in tickling the audience's funny bone. If you pay
close attention, you will notice that her nonverbal asides are even funnier.
Many cast members gave memorable vocal performances. The orphans ripped into
"It's the Hard-Knock Life" and upped the (ahem!) "annie" further still with
arousing reprise of "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile." The charming
Zeidler, quite good at getting laughs via the straight man/deadpan approach as
Daddy Warbucks, also delivered a touching "Something Was Missing" to provide the
comedy with depth. At the other end of the spectrum, Paul Mullen's performance
of "Easy Street" as Rooster Hannigan was skillfully crafted vocal delivery combined
with star-quality flair.
Also worthy of note was Juzwiak as the cranky FDR with a heart of gold. His urging
of this cabinet members to reprise "Tomorrow" at the White House was, perhaps, the
comic high point of the show.
Adding to these memorable performances was the work of the large ensemble, each
creating memorable characters along the way. One standout is Michael D. McGuire,
who managed to both showcase his strong voice as the "NYC star-to-be" and steal
the stage without voice as the shifty, cartoonish dog catcher.
Opening weekend technical difficulties were perhaps the only setback of this
production, with some spotlights that didn't hit the actors in time and a few
sound problems. The orchestra, under the direction of Maryann Flock, was much
more polished in the second act after a rocky start - another bug that will
likely be worked out.
Director Timothy J. Mullen keeps the pace brisk and provides the audience with
plenty of entertaining things to see at all times. Just when you think you have
had enough of "Annie," she comes around again. And strangely, like every time
before, you leave the theater thankful that you've seen it....one more time.
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