Final 3 Performances of "Annie" at Danbury's Musicals at Richter

Danbury, Conn. -- Musicals at Richter (MAR), continues its 34th season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, with Martin Charnin and Charles Strouse’s ebullient musical "Annie," playing through August 11. Staged on the grounds of the Richter Arts Center in Danbury, the final three performances take place outdoors under the stars Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. Thursday’s performance features $5 off regular ticket prices.

In honor of Coalhouse, the rescue dog who plays Sandy in this production, MAR welcomes Putnam Humane Society at the August 9 and 11 performances. The Carmel, NY-based non-profit animal shelter will bring a special four-footed guest, a sweet beagle mix named Annie, and have an information table for audience members to visit before the show and during intermission. If you’d like to help the shelter, consider contributing a few items on their wish list or making a contribution to their work (puthumane.org).

Our marketing partner, Macaroni Kids, will also be on hand for the closing performance August 11 with pre-show activities for the kids and information on other children’s programs and activities in the area.

A perennial audience and family favorite, “Annie” is the 1977 Broadway hit based on the popular comic strip heroine. The original production garnered seven Tony Awards, along with a Theatre World Award for Andrea McArdle in the title role.

Set in 1933 Depression-era America, "Annie" follows a spunky young orphan as she searches for her parents, a journey which takes her from a dreary New York City orphanage to an opulent, loving new home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks and his staff. Along the way, she foils an evil plot hatched by embattled orphanage director Miss Hannigan, helps President Franklin Roosevelt put the finishing touches on the New Deal, and leaves everyone she meets "fully dressed" with a smile and an optimistic outlook.

Martin Charnin and Charles Strouse’s tuneful score includes "Tomorrow," "It’s the Hard Knock Life," "You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile," "NYC," "Easy Street," "I Don’t Need Anything But You," "Little Girls," and "Something Was Missing."

Directed and choreographed by founding MAR Artistic Director Bradford Blake (Danbury), the show features a cast of talented local performers, including many newcomers and MAR veterans. Samantha Noel Treppeda (Poughquag, NY) takes on the title role. Walter Cramer (Danbury) portrays wealthy industrialist Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks and Claire Simard (Ridgefield) plays his efficient and kind-hearted secretary Grace Farrell.

Priscilla Squiers (Danbury) plays the beleaguered orphanage director Miss Hannigan, joined by Robert Bria (Redding) as her con artist brother Rooster and Lisa Dahlstrom (Fairfield) as Rooster’s girlfriend Lily St. Regis.

Michael Wright (Newtown) is featured as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Rob Mayette (Ridgefield) tackles a number of key ensemble roles, including radio host Bert Healy and Warbuck’s dedicated butler Drake.

Joining Annie in the orphange are Lily Calipa (Danbury), Lara Cruzado (Bethel), Ciara Cuneo (Patterson, NY), Ainsley Dahlstrom (Fairfeld), Emma Lubbers (Mahopac, NY), Sophie O’Hara (Norwalk), Abigail Rivas (Newtown), Amelie Simard (Ridgefield), Cadence Siriani (Carmel, NY), and Ella Zamek (Wingdale, NY).

Rounding out the cast in a number of diverse roles are: Maddy Oldham and Daisy Stott (Brookfield); Jose Alves, Jane Mead, Arden Minor and Viola Minor (Danbury); Maya Urquhart (Fairfield); Madison Bielmeier (New Milford); Will Armstrong (Old Greenwich); Anne Giroux (Ridgefield); Jennifer Wallace (Wilton). New York State residents in the company include: Michele Dugan (Brewster) Joshua Grill (Carmel); Rachael Sheldon and Donovan Koch (Millbrook); Emily Walsh (Poughkeepsie); and Brian Zamek (Wingdale).

Heading up the creative team, multitalented director and choreographer Bradford Blake has worked in regional theater for over 30 years as a director, musical director, choreographer, composer, arranger and designer. Most recently, he wrote and directed the popular holiday revue “Wreck the Halls” which played a second smash run at Ridgefield Theater Barn last December. He also directed MAR’s critically acclaimed 2017 season opener, “Into The Woods.”

Blake, who also designed the set, is joined by prolific musical director and composer Dan Koch (Millbrook, NY). Tina Morrissette (Brookfield) serves as assistant choreographer and assistant to the director for the production. Costume design is by MAR Artistic Director Lauren Nicole Sherwood (Stamford). Will Armstrong (Old Greenwich) serves as stage manager and Joyce Northrop (Danbury) is producer.

Following “Annie,” the Richter season concludes with the Summer Youth Musical Theater Workshop student production of “The Lion King, Jr.” August 16-18. For complete details on Musicals at Richter’s season and young people’s offerings, visit www.musicalsatrichter.org.

Main stage musical performances are Friday through Sunday evenings at the Richter Arts Center (next to the Richter Park Golf Course, I-84, Exit 2), 100 Aunt Hack Road, in Danbury. Tickets for “Annie” are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students (with ID), and $15 for children 10 and under. For the Thursday performance on August 9, tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, and $10 for children 10 and under. Tickets may be purchased through the Musicals at Richter website (www.musicalsatrichter.org) or at the door.

Grounds open at 7:00 p.m. for picnicking, with curtain at 8:00 p.m. (please note earlier curtain time). Guests are invited to bring chairs and blankets for lawn seating; a limited number of chairs are available free of charge by the concessions at the park. Group rates are available with advance reservation; a soft drink/snack concession is also on-site.

About Musicals at Richter: Nestled in the hills of Western Connecticut, the Arts Center stage has served as the scenic backdrop for over 95 musicals produced by Musicals at Richter, as well as a professional springboard for hundreds of up-and-coming performers. Musicals at Richter is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization run by volunteers. For further information, visit the website at www.musicalsatrichter.org, leave a message at 203-748-6873 or e-mail info@musicalsatrichter.org.