Recent rainstorms in our area make it hard to believe that tomorrow there’ll be sun, but our favourite spunky orphan, Annie, will set out to prove us West Coasters wrong. Directed and choreographed by Tara Britt, this heartwarming story, put on by the Victoria Operatic Society (VOS), is a musical the whole family can enjoy.
“It’s a classic for a reason. Hopefully kids who see the show will remember it forever,” says Brodie Nicholls, ensemble cast member. “Down to its bare bones, Annie is a story of hope, packaged in a nice family-friendly show.”
Set during the Great Depression, the story trails the vivacious orphan Annie (Mariah McDonald) on a search for her parents. Along the journey, billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Douglas Crockett) opens his home and, eventually, his heart to the bubbly protagonist.
Also in the cast are two conniving but hilarious villains, Rooster (Alex Judd) and Lily (Sadie Evans); six young, lovable orphans; and two adorable dogs that share the role of Sandy, Annie’s canine buddy.
What Victoria’s theatre community lacks in numbers it makes up for in talent and spirit. Most of the cast members in this production are under 12 years old, but in no way do their ages hinder their professionalism or performance skills.
“When I look at some of the choreography the kids do, I think, ‘Wow, that looks hard!’ I wish I was that talented when I was 11,” says Nicholls with a grin. “They’re all amazing artists. Everything is new and exciting for them. It’s refreshing to see. It reminds me of why I love acting.”
Nicholls also hopes that Annie inspires some of the younger theatre-goers: “I hope that kids get inspired and decide to do theatre, because there’s not enough kids in theatre nowadays. It would be great to inspire a future community of actors.”
Now in his fourth season with VOS, Nicholls aims to continue his passion for theatre, even drawing inspiration from the redheaded star herself. Annie has always been a story about beating the odds and achieving even the most incredible dreams.
“If you take away all of the happy music, it’s actually a pretty depressing story. It was a really dark time in history. Parents were either dying, usually of starvation, or giving up their children,” explains Nicholls. “When Annie sings ‘Tomorrow,’ what she means is: stay focused and keep positive, because there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. She’s a beacon of light.”
And, hey, if Annie can soften even the hard heart of Warbucks, maybe she can shine some light on this city’s notoriously grey skies.
Annie
December 6-15
$21 and up,
McPherson Playhouse
vos.bc.ca