Actually, she never left. Our favorite sassy little orphan first appeared on the American scene in James Whitcomb Riley’s 1885 poem “Little Orphan Annie,” based on a real orphan girl named Mary Alice Smith then living with the Rileys. During the next 137 years, Annie starred in a long running comic strip beginning in 1924 followed by a radio series and many versions of Broadway musicals and movies, not to mention television productions.
Annie’s gone through a lot of changes, but you’ve never seen her like you will on Dec. 9 and 10 at the Eureka Springs High School auditorium. Thirty drama and choir students, under the joint direction of Rick and Donesa Mann, will sing, dance, and act their way into your hearts as the story of an 11-year-old orphan who gets the chance to spend a luxurious week in the mansion of a billionaire, comes alive.
The production finishes with a perfect touch of Christmas joy to welcome the season with Annie and Daddy Warbucks.
Annie Jr. is a 90-minute musical licensed by Music Theatre International’s Broadway Junior collection, specially edited to be performed by children in acting academies, programs, schools, and theater camps internationally. Traditionally, the 8- to14-year-old orphans are played by actors in that age range, but in the ESHS production, all actors, even the orphans, are 15 to 18.
“Our high school drama/choir members are loving the challenge of portraying little girls as well as the adult (and shady) Rooster, Miss Hannigan, and Lily,” Mrs. Mann said. “Several students are first-time actors, so this is their musical theater debut.
“This is our first production since the purchase of our backdrop projection equipment and software. The tech crew is responsible for changing the scenes with a computer connected to the new short-throw projector. Other tech and stage crew have sound, lights, curtain and props duties. Some of these students are interested in pursuing technical theater in college, and seniors like Meredith Loudermilk and Sydney Shaw are training underclassmen to take their places.”
Several other students have previous stage experience with Mr. and Mrs. Mann. The choreography directed by Mann’s daughter, Mallory Butler, has been a highlight for many of them. “I was pleasantly surprised by how well the first-timers enjoyed learning the choreography,” Mann commented. “Other students have been excited about the technical aspects of putting on a musical. In all, it has been a wonderful opportunity for students to create something together as well as build relationships.
“In addition to acting, dancing, singing, and theater tech, students learn leadership and teamwork and develop social skills and self-confidence. Stage productions and performing arts such as choir and band encourage creativity, critical thinking and communication which benefit the students in all academic and social areas.”
Show dates are Friday and Saturday Dec. 9 and 10 beginning at 6:30 p.m. with Mrs. Mann’s 5-8 grade choir on Friday and the 7–8 grades on Saturday. The Eureka Springs HS Drama/Choir presents Annie, Jr. at 7 p.m. each night.
Tickets are $10 adult and $5 student and are good for either or both nights. Eureka Springs Schools staff and students admitted free. Tickets are available at the door or online at eurekaspringsschools.k12.ar.us (then click “Store”). For more info call or text Donesa Mann (870) 480-6464.
Notes for the calendar: ESHS 7-8 grade band concert Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. in the ESHS auditorium. Scottie Christmas program Pre-k through 4th grades at the City Auditorium Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.