LIVERMORE FALLS — Residents from four towns have been rehearsing for weeks in an effort to wow the audiences with their version of the Broadway show “Annie.”
The Livermore Falls High School Community Musical Theatre will perform at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3 and 4, at Livermore Falls High School. Admission is $5.
During one rehearsal, actors and actresses and supporters worked in small groups.
Peggy Dwyer’s standard poodle named Peach awaited to perform the role of Sandy, Annie’s spirited dog.
The two-act play is set in 1933 in New York City. Scenes encompass life at the orphanage where Annie lives, to the world of luxury at the mansion of Daddy Warbucks.
The musical is based on the book by Thomas Meehan, the music created by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin.
Emilly LeFleur, 13, of Jay portrays Annie, and Tom Bizier, 17, of Livermore is Warbucks.
Annie’s parents left her at the orphanage as a young child, and she has lived there for several years, LeFleur said of the story.
“Daddy has invited her to stay at the mansion for a couple of weeks,” Bizier said. “He decides he wants to adopt her because she’s so great.”
“Then I decide I want to try and find my real parents before he adopts me,” LeFleur said, of her character.
So Daddy offers up a $50,000 reward to find her parents.
Miss Hannigan, owner of the orphanage, portrayed by Elizabeth Chandler of Livermore, comes up with a scheme with two people pretending to be Annie’s parents to get the reward money, LeFleur said.
Eventually the scheme is exposed, and Daddy Warbucks gets to adopt her, Bizier said.
Play director Anne Weatherbee calls for the next scene, and Bizier and LeFleur head for the stage. It’s time to rehearse a scene with Grace, Warbuck‘s secretary at the mansion, played by Angela Chretien of Livermore.
Taylor Bubier of Livermore, choreographer, and Paige Pangelinas of Livermore Falls, stage manager, sit in front of the stage, helping actors when needed.
On the other side of the room, Valerie Messina plays the piano as music director Dan Labonte watches the progress. There will be a full pit band when the play premieres.
WHAT: “Annie,” a two-act musical
WHEN: 7 p.m. Dec. 3 and 4
WHERE: Livermore Falls High School stage
WHO: LFHS Community Theatre
ADMISSION: $5
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