Just in time for the holiday season, the sun’ll come out when the beloved tale of Little Orphan Annie is brought to life on stage at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, giving another generation of young people the chance to experience this enchanting musical about hope and friendship. Proclaimed by critics as ‘one of the best musicals ever,’ Annie plays six weeks only, Nov.13 through Dec. 23.
“Annie is a family favourite that appeals to audiences of all ages,” says Alex Mustakas, artistic director of Drayton Entertainment.
Earlier this summer Annie played to packed houses at the King’s Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene and the Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend.
Inspired by the famous 1920’s comic strip Little Orphan Annie, the Broadway musical Annie made its debut in 1977. It won seven Tony Awards, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, and the Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album. The original production is one of the longest running shows in Broadway history.
In 1982, Annie became a smash-hit movie starring Aileen Quinn, Carol Burnett and Albert Finney. There is also a Disney Television movie with Kathy Bates (1999), an upcoming Broadway revival and a potential movie revival starring Willow Smith.
A rags-to-riches story about a determined young girl’s journey from a New York orphanage to the luxurious home of billionaire businessman Oliver Warbucks, Annie boasts one of Broadway’s most unforgettable scores, including Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, N.Y.C. and the ever-optimistic Tomorrow.
This production is directed by Alex Mustakas, who has helmed many large-scale musicals at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse including this season’s Big Band Legends. Mustakas is joined by music director Michael Lerner and choreographer Gino Berti, as well as set designer J.C. Olivier, and lighting designer Kevin Fraser.
The cast for this production includes 13-year-old Dominique Le Blanc in the title role. The precocious Halifax native was discovered through a video audition campaign launched by Drayton Entertainment. Le Blanc flew to Ontario to audition in person with Mustakas and won the role in April.
Victor A. Young takes on the iconic role of Oliver Warbucks. Young has appeared in numerous high profile productions including Rock of Ages, Dirty Dancing and Lord of the Rings in Toronto.
Jackie Mustakas, who captivated audiences as the Wicked Witch of the West in last season’s production of The Wizard of Oz will play Miss Hannigan, the cruel matron who runs the dismal orphanage where Annie’s journey begins.
Alongside Mustakas, as her unscrupulous brother Rooster Hannigan, is perennial audience favourite Keith Savage. Rooster’s scheming lady friend, Lily St. Regis is portrayed by Melissa Thomson.
Jayne Lewis, who played roles in this season’s production of Harvey, is Warbucks’ faithful secretary Grace Farrell.
Seasoned Canadian actor Patric Masurkevitch takes on the role of President Franklin Roosevelt.
Rachel Clark, Stephen Cota, Joanna Guistini, Kevin Etherington, Jill Harland, Sarah Harries, Sarah Matton, Chad McFadden, and Arthur Wright round out the ensemble.
Drayton Entertainment has engaged 42 local children for this production as orphans, including: Kaitlin Angus, Ayshia Anne Bailie, Kate Barry, Brooke Bauer, Jessie Bauer, Hannah Carr, Madison Carroll, Cheyenne Chandler-Strub, Claire Couturier, Terese Dimeck, Jessi Elgood, Sarah Elop, Adrienne Enns, Katherine Fischer, Sarah Rose Grainger, Avery Grierson, Aislinn Kinsella, Ella Koller, Belle Lemieux-Chan, Liz Mallory, Cailyn Mann, Danika McHugh-Scott, Emma Moroni, Thyra Morton, Kaleigh Murphy, Hadley Mustakas, Ella Nafziger, Rebecca Perry, Lauren Roth, Hayley Anne Schroder, Madison Sekulin, Morgan Thibeault, Violet Vaughn, Cecilia “CC” Weber, Emily Weir, Payton Wentzlaff, Sarah Werezak, Caroline Wiechers, Audrey White, Spencer Wither, Emma Wolle and Lillian Ziss.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 519 747-7788 or toll free at 1-855-372-9866. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit www.stjacobscountryplayhouse.com.
