AnnieJr. Shines brilliantly in Teaneck

AnnieJr. 

                                                      Shines brilliantly in Teaneck

If you were looking for the sun to shine during April 25 through the 27th, 2013, no doubt you found it at the Teaneck Community Charter School in Teaneck, NJ when they presented a rousing production of Annie Jr. - the junior version of the Broadway classic musical.

The popular comic strip heroine took center stage for three nights and featured a riveting cast of elementary and middle school thespians who blew their audiences away with their performances.

The production was made possible for the 14 year-old school who was the grand prize winner of NBC’s ‘SMASH’: Make a Musical Program. Out of more than 1,000 schools that applied for the musical program nationwide, TCCS made it to the final 30 and rose to the occasion to show and prove they deserved the spotlight and they did not disappoint. They took to the stage like seasoned veterans.     

Under the expertise of producer Edward Pierce, associate producer Lucria Ortiz, director & musical director Jaime Valente, assistant director Kirrilee Berger and production stage manager Lynda Magill along with stage managers Colleen Diskin, Gina Gerzberg, Rhina Rodriquez and Charisse Santos, the production was truly a smash hit!

For ten scenes and nine songs, the cast took the audience on a special trip through little orphan Annie’s journey to find her real parents, escape the tyrannical Miss Hannigan and find her new

home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks whom she discovered was an orphan himself.

The multi-cultural cast included Leah Coles as the sassy and determined Annie, Andre Sumler as the endearing Oliver Warbucks along with Kirrilee Berger as the maniacal heel Miss Hannigan.

Supporting cast members included Lila Bell as orphan Duffy, Leilah Collazo as orphan Pepper, Neli Elhadad as Star-to-Be, Marley Franklyn as orphan Tessie, Addie Gerszberg as Mrs. Pugh/Hannigan understudy, Eli Gerszberger as Bert Healy, Destiny Greene as Mrs. Greer/Radio Announcer, Henry Hiettiko-Parsons as the loveable Sandy (the dog), Kaya Karibi-Whyte as Cecile, Odein Karibi-Whyte as Rooster Hannigan, Sara Mustafa as Grace, Kieli Nicholls as orphan Molly/Annie understudy, Mikey Quinn as Lt. Ward, Sophia Rivera as Lily St. Regis, Jacob Santos as Bundles McCloskey, Karmel Segui as Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Roman Segui as Louis Howe, Liam Setti as Drake, Margolit Sobel as Annette and Gabriella Walls as orphan Kate.

In addition, Jaiden Clarke, Chaz Jackson, Julia Jonas, Tyler Perelli (Dog Catcher), Meghana Veldhuis (Apple Seller), Jenelle Henry, Nia Johnson, Nina Mayo, Claire Purdue, Nadia Rivera, Lola Segui, Angelica Squittieri and Sydney Van Wijik made up the musical and orphan ensembles.

The authenticity of the time period was masterfully displayed on a central stage through the costumes, make-up, props and digital background. The show’s creative backing included production designer Edward Pierce, costume designers Brian Mear & Pixie Pierce, sound designers Florence Barrau-Adams & Mike Squitieri, choreographer Kim Trover along with a huge crew of production staff, volunteers and more, made the show a special moment for all.

Professional development workshops were held to assist teachers and students in the mounting of their first ever musical. Countless hours in rehearsals were spent to present the thoroughly polished production.

“The rehearsal process was not that long actually. From day one, they [orphans] didn’t really know what to expect they were really nervous and as AD (assistant director), I was able to watch them grow throughout the rehearsal process.” stated Kirrilee Berger aka Miss Hannigan.

Before opening night, the cast got a chance to perform for their classmates the day before and received great kudos from their peers. First timer Andre Sumler soared in his role as Oliver Warbucks and enjoyed his experience immensely.

“I believe that first it was very difficult because we know them and some of them had things they liked to comment on but [opening night] was much easier.” The usually quiet and shy child music protégé stated.

Along with highlighting their musical grant, TCCS is also raising money to complete their Creative Arts Suite on the school’s second floor.

According to a press release, the philanthropic initiative, sponsored by NBC’s musical drama “Smash” and administered by iTheatrics’ Junior Theater Project, helps select schools across the United States with staging productions and implementing self-sustaining theater programs.

TCCS was given ‘the rights to produce a show from Music Theatre International’s Broadway Junior© collection of musicals for student performances. Produced by permission of the Media Tribune Services, Inc., Little Orphan Annie is based upon the book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin.

For more information about the Teaneck Community Charter School, visit www.tccsnj.com.