Four performances of 'Annie' staged this weekend
Nov. 29, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- WMU's University Theatre presents Annie, the musical that has charmed audiences for years, with four performances through Sunday, Dec. 2.
Annie will be staged in Shaw Theatre at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2. Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and WMU faculty and staff, $7 for students and $3 for children 12 and younger. For tickets call the theatre ticket office at 616 387-6222. Ticket office hours are weekdays noon to 5 p.m. and two hours prior to each performance.
Annie, a loveable orphan girl steals the hearts of everyone around her, including the multi- millionare Daddy Warbucks. Based on an old comic strip, Annie, will be directed by Todd Neal, director of Music Theatre Perfomance. The book was written by Thomas Meehan, the lyrics by Martin Charnin and the music by Charles Strouse.
Kalamazoo radio personality Lori Moore will be playing the dreaded Miss Hannigan. She is the weekday host of her own show on WKZO. Moore went to Hope College, where she majored in communications and was active in Hope's theatre department and summer repertory theatre. She was an Irene Ryan finalist in the American College Theatre Festival in college. Moore was most recently seen in the lead role in the Kalamazoo Civic's production of Mame.
"I was just so thrilled to be asked to participate in Annie," says Moore. "I am getting the opportunity to perform with so many of the students I have had the privilege of seeing on stage before."
This production will also feature seniors Gina DeDominicis as Lily and Mia Gauci as Grace. Junior Katie Kerrins will be playing Annie. The rest of the ensemble includes Emily Absher, Heather Beck, Lakisha Bowen, Paula Caponi, Kevin Coleman, Chris DeYoung, Jay Donnell, Nicole Horton, Liza Hunter, Graham Kurtz, Katrina Morris, Jackie Sizemore, Michael VanGemert, Kevin Vaught, David White and Brian Wilson.
Senior Amy Board is the choreographer and 2001 WMU School of Music alumna Jamie Brachel is musical director. Junior Laura Cornish is Lighting Coordinator, Senior Andrew Nagel is Audio Coordinator and junior Mandy Kinney is Stage Manager.
Media contact: Shauna Thieman, 616 387-6222, shauna.thieman@wmich.edu