Hurrah Players presented Annie as the opener this season at the Roper Center for the Performing Arts.  It was last performed 10 years ago with some of the same cast members you see today just in different roles.  To be honest this is a show I dread going to see just like Oklahoma but for once I actually sat back and enjoyed myself.  Why?  Because every performer, child or adult, was just having fun.  The dog (Sandy) probably not so much as 500 plus audience members look on. 

Many of us (if not all) know the story of Annie so I will forgo the description and move on to what were stand out performances.  Hmmm, where to start?  Well how about Annie (Taylor Drumwright) Hurrah’s wonderful red headed orphan.  Ms. Drumwright is a student at Independence Middle School and this is not her first Hurrah experience, not to mention she was recently on a National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  She is just what you expect a cute kid who wins your heart over.  I should mention that she also has a voice developing that is easily holding its own. 

Amongst the Orphans in the cast, once would be remiss to mention “oh, my goodness, oh, my goodness” Orphan Molly who is just too cute for words and steals a scene every time she speaks. 

Our most memorable adults are of course the evil, sinister and nasty Miss Hannigan (Sharon Cook).  Mrs. Cook is not new to the stage as she has performed and directed locally over the past years.  Her Miss Hannigan has great humor without leaving behind the evilness that she must portray.  Trust me I wanted to hit her, no offense Sharon.  Not an easy role to play when most of America remembers Carol Burnette playing it.   

Her brother Rooster (John D. Araujo) is just plain annoying and a bit of a goof-ball.  He was quite right for the part.  Caroline Geroe as Lily St. Regis, Rooster’s girlfriend, returns in Annie after playing the role of Orphan Molly 10 years ago.  You can do nothing but watch her on stage as she prances across every inch of it like a bird or a “rooster.”  She is out right hysterical and fun to watch.

Last but not least, I must of course mention Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks (Kevin Studer).  Now my whole life there has been something about “Daddy” that has kind of creeped me out and I don’t know why.  This “Daddy” did too, but he was still quite enjoyable to watch and very endearing.  Mr. Studer appeared a little stiff at first but I am attributing it to a character choice since he ends the production on such a high and lovable moment.

Oh, I know I said last but not least but this is why we should never step on stage with an animal.  Many actors hate to go on stage with children as they always steal the scene.  Well, an animal is worse and this one even steals the scene from the children.  Sandy (Lelo Jankowski) actually wandered as a stray into the Hurrah Players building, and with just what Hurrah does best, it found a home for Lelo as well with a wonderful Hurrah Family. 

As for the set design - as always, wonderfully painted backdrops which I can’t tell from the program but which I assume they have been rented.  Production qualities over all with the exception of a few sound issues were wonderful as always.

Congratulations to Hurrah for a wonderful starter to the season and a sold out production.  Try to catch more of Hurrah’s Season starting with Holiday’s in Virginia and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in December.  Coming in March, Charlotte’s Web.