‘The sun will come out tomorrow’ – Albion’s production of Annie brings message of hope during tough times

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Neveya Barnes plays the role of Annie, here singing “It’s the Hard Knock Life” with orphans Sophie Kozody (Maggie), left, and Olivia Andrews (July).

Albion High School performed Annie on Friday night and there are two more shows today at noon at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the middle school auditorium.

The orphans sing about the hard life in the orphanage where they are forced to clean and live in deprivation. The musical is set amidst the Great Depression in New York City.

The orphans are played by, form left: Olivia Andrews, Chloe Mosele, Makenzie Cook, Sophie Kozody, Nicole Loney, Lily Brigham, D Johnson, Amelia Symons, Rianne Hand and Neveya Barnes.

Adelaide Pettit plays the role of Miss Aggie Hannigan, an orphanage matron who hates children but is very fond of alcoholic beverages. She sings about “Little Girls” and the frustration of being surrounded by children.

Annie (Neveya Barnes) gets a fashion makeover and joins Oliver Warbucks (Gideon Pask), a billionaire businessman, on a walk through the glamorous New York City. Then are headed to the movies. Warbucks is a stern businessman who opens his home and heart to Annie.

Phoebe Allen plays the role of Grace Farrell, Oliver Warbucks’ faithful secretary. Grace loves Annie right from the beginning. Drake, the head butler at Warbucks’ mansion, is played by Aniela Wilson. Grace and the staff of servants are singing “I Don’t Need Anything But You.”

The Boylan Sisters sing “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” on Bert Healy’s radio show. The sisters include, from left: Lily Brigham, Reagan Flor and Julia Graham. Annie and Oliver Warbucks went on the radio show to announce a $50,000 reward to a couple who could prove they are Annie’s parents.

When the $50,000 reward is announced, Rooster Hannigan gets an idea to pretend he and his girlfriend, Lily St. Regis, are the parents. Rooster is Miss Hannigan’s brother.

Here they are singing “Easy Street.” From left include Adelaide Pettit as Miss Hannigan, Bradyn Whittier as Rooster Hannigan, and Julia Button as Lily St. Regis. Rooster and Lily will pretend to be Ralph and Shirley Mudge, claiming to be Annie’s parents.

Four Albion teachers and Principal Jennifer Ashbery played the roles of Cabinet members for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. They are trying to think of how to improve the economy. Annie inspires them with her optimism.

Albion teacher Mr. Rich Gannon, lower left, really poured himself into the role of Harold Ickes. Bradyn Whitter, a senior, portrayed Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Other Cabinet members include, going left from Annie and Warbucks, Mr. Josh Green as Henry Morganthau, Mr. Bill Dambra as Cordell Hull, Mr. Chad Owen as Louis Howe, and Mrs. Jennifer Ashbery as Frances Perkins.

The teachers and principal soak up the applause at the end of the musical.