Annie Jr. Plays in Alameda this weekend

Tomorrow Youth Repertory Brings Community Theater to the Community

Tomorrow Youth Repertory in association with Alameda Children’s Musical Theatre presents Annie Jr. this weekend at Kofman Auditorium. Based upon the popular comic strip Little Orphan Annie, this classic rags-to-riches favorite first appeared on Broadway in 1977. With music by Charles Strouse and book by Thomas Meehan, Annie won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Book and Score. It ran for 2,377 performances and is one of the most successful and longest running shows in Broadway history. Boasting one of Broadway’s most memorable scores, including It’s the Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile, and of course the unforgettable Tomorrow, you can bet your bottom dollar that Annie will delight audiences of all ages.

“Although Annie The Musical takes place during the depression era, the themes of the show are timeless and universal--the bonds of family, what it means to be a family, and never giving up hope,” said Amy Marie Haven, Director of Annie Jr. “The show is a huge undertaking, with over 80 Alameda youth participating in this production. From acting to stage make-up, costuming and set design, these kids are gaining a thorough understanding of the musical theater experience.”

Tomorrow Youth Repertory has its own rags to riches story. TYR is an Alameda-based non-profit musical theater company. The company which started in the summer of 2011 as a part of ACMT became an independent company in 2012. It was originally started in order to offer weekly after school theater classes for kids. It has continued to grow and change.

Founded by Jordan Best, Amy Marie Haven, and Tyler Null, Tomorrow Youth Repertory now comprises three distinct programs. The company continues to offer weekly after school classes for all levels of experience at various locations in Alameda. They recently concluded a successful run of The Wizard of Oz at Michaan’s Theatre by the Bay. It included 16 performances and 8 different casts with performers ages 5 to 13 years of age. For some of the performers, this was their first time on stage. For others, they have been acting, singing, and dancing for years. TYR camp instructors meet the kids at whatever level they’re at and get them all ready to perform in front of an audience. The performers receive a full theatre experience with lighting and sound, make up and costumes.

For more advanced students the company has the TYR Conservatory which includes Conservatory classes and a Girls Chorus. The Conservatory class is a semester-long program geared towards advanced students, mainly middle school and older, who want to hone the skills in their actor’s toolbox. This semester there is a focus on Improv, Stanislavsky method (Sense Memory), and musical duets, but they will include work on monologues and scenes as well. The Girls Chorus meets once a week to rehearse and prepare public appearances. You will have a chance to see them this Saturday at the Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony and later in the season on Christmas Tree Lane. There are currently 20 girls in the group. Auditions will be held in January to add 10 more girls to the chorus.

Beginning in the Summer of 2012, TYR added Mainstage productions to their programming. Young performers audition for their roles and rehearse several times a week culminating in a series of community performances. Annie Jr. is their fourth Mainstage production. Their past Mainstage productions – Footloose (2012), Les Miserables (2013) and Shrek (2014) have all taken place in the summer. Annie Jr. is the first TYR Mainstage production to have rehearsals run during the school year.

If you would like to support Tomorrow Youth Repertory in their goal of creating high-level community theater by the community for the community, please visit our website www.TomorrowYouthRep.org to learn about ways you can help.

Details about Annie Jr.

When: December 5, 7:00pm

December 6, 2:00pm

December 6, 7:00pm

December 7, 2:00pm

Where: Kofman Auditorium

2200 Central Ave, Alameda

Tickets: Prices

Adults - $15 ($13, in advance)

Students/Seniors - $10 ($7, in advance)

Available online at AnnieTYR.bpt.me

Contact: Pam Huie Arneson

pam@tomorrowyouthrep.org

510-764-8979

Photo by Eric Braun