By Sue Suchyta
The Dearborn Heights Civic Theatre will present Anne Jr. for one more weekend, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. They perform at the Berwyn Center, located at 26155 Richardson in Dearborn Heights.
Based on the popular comic strip, Annie Junior tells of a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find the parents who left her years ago at the New York City orphanage run by the mean Miss Hannigan. Annie outsmarts Miss Hannigan, befriends billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. She even meets and inspires President Roosevelt.
Kristen Curle directed the show, with music direction and choreography by Paul Keifer. Rachel LaPointe assistant directed and stage-managed, while Jerry Kondraciuk produced the show. Jodie LaGuire, Molly Taggart, Janine Bertucci and Jody Doktor were responsible for the costumes.
The cast includes, as lead orphans: Annie: Madison Deadman; Pepper: Sarah Mikota; Duffy: Peyton Bias; Tessie: Katie Wollard; Kate: Lia Bertucci; Molly: Grace Bertucci; July: Allie Czarniecki.
Other cast members include: Daddy Warbucks: Paul Abbott; Grace: Molly Taggart; Rooster: Kevin Deadman; Lily: Jodie LaGuire; and as Miss Hannigan: Jody Doktor.
Other featured characters include: Sandy, Christina Bertucci; Dog Catcher, Alex Collins; Bundles McClosky, Sean LaGuire; President Roosevelt, Aaron Adamkiewicz; Louis Howe, Benjamin Timpf; Drake, Westley Montgomery; Cecile, Cecilia DeBoever; Annette, Danielle Hays; Mrs. Greer, Clara Albright; Mrs. Pugh, Kiah Manthei; Bert Healy, Benjamin Timpf; Bert Healy’s girls, Andrea Fisher, Megan Timpf, Rena Laws, Camille Charara, Shelby Holmes and Erin Stucki; Lt. Ward, Sean LaGuire; Star To Be, Megan Timpf; Radio Announcer, Jerry Davis; and Sound Effects Man, Louis Champoux.
Chorus orphans include: Katrina Menter, Rhiannon Flores, Olivia Flores, Kendall Manthei, Mya Der-Stepanian, Ella Der-Stepanian, Alina Hazime, Miranda Grafton. Luna Grafton, Emily Walker, Jamie Paschke, Natalie Berry, Milan Spennachio, Jessie Collins, Mary Collins, Ella Champoux, Molly Boudreau and Marissa Zamesnik.
Others in the chorus are Ian Jeannin, Molly Menter, Luke Adamkiewicz, Carrie Caruthers, Kaden Manthei, Karim Hazime, Hope Lesniak, Mary Lesniak, Mary Charara, Meghan Walker, Kristin Davis, Emily Champoux and Christina Wallag.
Tickets are available at the door, and are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and $5 for children age 11 and under. Child discounts are only available at the door. For more information, go to the Web site dhctstage.org.
‘Robin Hood’ Rides in Royal Oak
The Water Works Theatre Company offers Lane Riosley’s, “The Commedia of Robin Hood,” a 50-minute family-friendly show in at Starr Jaycee Park for one more week. The high-energy and fast-paced four-person show is a comic retelling of Robin Hood that relies heavily on physical comedy and improv-type action. The sight and sound gags are plentiful, and you’ll laugh throughout the show.
The talented ensemble cast performs multiple roles – sometimes several parts simultaneously. Angela Roberts, Vanessa Renee Sawson, Alexander Trice, and Isaac Rudy put on a high-energy show at a quick and entertaining pace. Little ones won’t have time to get bored, and their parents will be entertained as well.
Jeff Thomakos, who also serves as the Water Works Theatre creative director, directed the show. He also performs the title role in Shakespeare’s Scottish play, which is being performed selected evenings in rotating repertory.
Costumer Corey Globke provides colorful and clever costumes, some of which are reversed back and forth as characters play two roles in tandem. Maid Marion’s tunic is artfully adorned with bottle caps, while Rosetta rises to new heights atop coffee can-sized stilts.
Property mistress Michelle Leroy added many whimsical touches as well with cardboard-mounted Lego soldiers, spewing squirt guns, clapping noisemaker swords, and an Eeyore donkey.
Listen for Jason Pratt’s sound snippet humor as well, which includes references to “Star Wars,” “Shrek” and “Spamalot.”
Bring a blanket for the grass, or your own lawn chairs. Some bleacher seating is also available. Wear insect repellant, and keep your fingers crossed for good weather. The show runs four more times: 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $5.
Starr Jaycee Park is on 13 Mile Road between Main and Crooks in Royal Oak, two miles east of Woodward Avenue. No pets. The group’s weather policy is like a baseball game — they stop if it rains too much. Rain checks will be made available except for the closing performance. For more information, go to the Web site www.waterworkstheatre.com.