Wantagh High School’s spring musical production of “Annie” brings together young actors from five schools for four performances at the end of April. A cast of more than 60 elementary, middle and high school students have been working hard memorizing lines, songs and choreography.   

“Annie” debuted on Broadway nearly 50 years ago and is based on the 1920s comic strip, “Little Orphan Annie.” The show was last performed in the Wantagh School District in 2012 by the middle school drama club. It is set during the Great Depression and focuses on a young girl living in an orphanage who wants to find a real home. She is chosen to spend the holidays with a rich businessman and changes his life with her optimism and kindness.

Director Dr. Kimberly Davis said that following a modern production in the fall with “1660 Vine,” she wanted to throw it back with a beloved classic. “Annie” features upbeat and well-known songs like “Easy Street,” “Hard Knock Life” and “Tomorrow.”

The cast features 36 members of the high school drama club as well as 25 students from the middle school and three elementary schools, as young as third grade. Interested students were asked to submit video auditions, and several were called back to live audition for speaking roles. The majority of elementary and middle school students are playing orphans. There is even one non-human role, as cast member Milana Gimber’s dog Buddy is playing Sandy, a stray that Annie finds.  

Evelyn Tierney, a fifth grader from Wantagh Elementary School, was cast as “Annie.” She has experience as an actor, playing Olaf in her school’s production of “Frozen” in December as well as a member of the ensemble in “Finding Nemo” as a fourth grader. Additionally, Evelyn also has performed in shows through the Cultural Arts Playhouse. 

Lead actors from the high school include junior Ryan Mundy as the wealthy and well-connected businessman Oliver Warbucks, sophomore Angelina DiTroia as orphanage owner Mrs. Hannigan and sophomore Gemma Murphy as Grace, Mr. Warbuck’s secretary.

“It’s great to take on the challenge of a golden age show,” said Ryan, who also had a lead role in the fall musical. “It’s very refreshing because it’s an entirely different style of theater.”

“I think the play is great and has a very meaningful message,” added Angelina. “It’s such a community event. There’s not an age group that doesn’t love ‘Annie.’”

Supporting Dr. Davis are vocal director Sameerah Cassidy, choreographer Christina Mealey, music director Dan Aviles, technical director Christopher Cockren, business managers Marisa Lavoratore and Tara McDermott, and crew director Tori Briguglio and the student stage crew. 

Show times are Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 25 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 26 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and senior citizens, and can be purchased online at seatyourself.biz/wantaghms. 

“The cast is amazing and they have so much energy,” Dr. Davis said. “We are always lucky with the amount of talent we have in Wantagh. We are really excited to share this show with the community.”

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