Riverwalk delivers a winning 'Annie'

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For openers, the scruffy little Depression-era orphans in the revival of the classic musical “Annie” steal your heart away.

One expects children in these roles tobe cute and emotionally endearing, but director Jeff Croff (ablyassisted by choreographer Elizabeth Todd) has additionally conjured upa high level of professionalism. Not to mention impressive stagepresence on the part of two separate children’s ensembles.

Adding to that powerful choir of tiny dancers is thesoaring and powerful individual singing voice of Brianna Rucinski inthe title role of Annie. By the end of the opening song and dancenumber much of the entire Riverwalk audience is completely captivated.

Exquisitely careful costuming by Laura Croff Wheaton,especially of the children, adds veracity and weight to the production.When various adult actors begin to appear on stage, including a cast oflocal community theater veterans, one realizes this is going to be anevening of exceptional theater. 

The diminutive Isabella Grace Olivo plays the role ofMolly, leader of the six orphans, who literally steals the show whilebelting out the signature song, “It’s a Hard Knock Life” with powerfulvoices. 

The core group is aided by an 18-member back-up chorus, featuring every young performer who auditioned for the play. 

Leading the pack of the cast of 20 some adults is Angela Dill, playing the nefarious  MissHannigan, sole proprietor of the orphanage. Dill brings a stiff-backed,spastic intensity to her performance. She is magnificent.

Dill is joined on stage by Joe Quick,playing her brother Rooster Hannigan, and by Veronica Diebold as hisgirlfriend Lily St Regis. Together this hapless trio schemes to denythe rich and powerful Daddy Warbucks his desire to adopt the littleorphan Annie. Choreography is complex as the three dance-masters actout their get rich quick fantasy with great stage presence.

Warbucks, a cutthroat billionaire businessmanwho has lived his life to make money, has come to realize being superrich is no fun unless you have someone to share it with. Robin Harrisplays this ponderous robber-baron with a heart of gold and graduallydisplays Warbucks’ soft side in quite a charming manner.

One does not see “Annie” seeking to gain new deep, pithy political insights. Yet the political polarities of the past 50 years are all there to be seen. Are we a nation of rich versus poor or are we all in this together? 

“Annie” reminds us, through the softening medium of songand dance, how bad an economic recession can be for many people and,paradoxically, how much prosperity some others have despite difficulteconomic circumstances. 


"Annie"
Riverwalk Theatre. Sept. 15-18. Saturday, Sept 17th there will be a 2:00pm matinee as well as a 8:00pm performance.

Adults: $20

Seniors/students/military  $18
Times:
Thursday: 7 p.m.

Friday: 8 p.m.

Saturday: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. 

Sunday: 2 p.m.

www.riverwalktheatre.com

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