Review of 'Annie' at Musicals at Richter

Picture above: Annie (Samantha Noel Treppeda) enjoys life in her new home with Oliver Warbucks (Walter Cramer, seated) in the hit musical “Annie,” playing at Danbury’s Musicals at Richter July 27 – August 11. Staged on the grounds of the Richter Arts Center, 100 Aunt Hack Road, in Danbury, performances take place outdoors under the stars Friday through Sunday evenings at 8:00 p.m., with additional specially discounted performances on Thursdays August 2 and 9. Tickets/information: musicalsatrichter.org

Photo by David Henningson Photography

Dedicated to Kristen with love and gratitude

Danbury, CT - Musicals at Richter closes their mainstage season with a fun production of ANNIE that runs through Aug. 11 under the stars and weather permitting. MAR is CT’s longest running outdoor theater that encourages patrons to bring along a picnic to enjoy when the grounds open at 7 PM before the show begins at 8 PM, as well as snacks and beverages for during the show. This reviewer also urges you to bring along comfortable lawn chairs, citronella candles and/or bug spray, and a warm jacket or blanket for the second act.

So ANNIE is the musical with book by Thomas Meehan with wonderful music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. It is based on “Little Orphan Annie” and was originally produced at none other than CT’s Goodspeed Opera House when Michael C. Price was executive director. The MAR production is directed by MAR Founding Artistic Director Bradford Blake and Daniel M. Koch is the musical director that conducts the other eleven musicians in the tent. Naugatuck teacher and former Naugatuck Community Band director Charley Marenghi played trombone with this excellent orchestra.

Mr. Blake (WRECK THE HALLS, which returns next year) knows his way around a big musical and he also was in charge of the fine choreography with the assistance of Tina Morrissette. Will Armstrong was in charge of all things technical and took on stage management as well. The set designed by Lauren Nicole Sherwood and Matt Blank easily transformed into Warbuck’s mansion which had a serious green, as in money, tint. I also loved the black and white color scheme for “N.Y.C.” The costumes designed by Ms. Sherwood were plentiful and very well done in every scene, but especially those in the black and white movie house.

“NYC
I give you fair warning
Up there in lights I'll be
Go ask the Gershwins or Kaufman and Hart
The place they love the best
Though California pays big for their art
Their fan mail comes addressed to NYC” - “N.Y.C.”

The members of FDR’s cabinet included Will Armstrong, Jose Alves (also Judge Brandeis) and Brian Zamek (orphan Patches Ella’s dad) with Michael Wright (YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at TheatreWorks New Milford) a most convincing president. The lovely Boylan Sisters were played by Dance Captain Maddy Oldham (NewArts’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL,) Jennifer Wallace (MAR debut) and Daisy Scott in her fourth production of ANNIE. Lisa Dahlstrom, who returned to this stage after a ten year hiatus, was the Lily St. Regis to Bobby Bria’s hilarious take on Rooster Hannigan in his third production of ANNIE. When this duo aspired to live on “Easy Street,” we almost rooted for them. Kudos to Rob Mayette (LEGALLY BLONDE) for bringing his charm to the roles of Bundles, Lt. Ward, Drake the butler, radio announcer Bert Healy, and a cabinet member.

Emily Walsh (PETER PAN and ANNIE at the Warner) sang the role of Star to Be in “N.Y.C.” and Maiya Urquhart (LEGALLY BLONDE) was in charge of Warbuck’s kitchen as Mrs. Pugh. Sandy was played by Coalhouse Blank. The ensemble included Donovan Koch and the lovely Rachael Sheldon (SPAMALOT with Two Planks,) the children of the music director, both in their MAR debuts. Also in the ensemble, who appeared as servants/maids, Hooverville residents, and usherettes were Madison Bielmeier, Michele Dugan, Joshua “JJ” Grill, Jane Mead, Arden Minor, Olivia Minor and Viola Minor.

In her MAR debut alongside her daughter Amelie, Claire Simard was a lovely Grace who sang beautifully. WCSU Dean of Students Walt Cramer, who returned to MAR after a nine-year hiatus, did very well in the role of Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks. I was certainly not surprised that community theatre darling Priscilla Squires was a glorious Miss Hannigan and I enjoyed every minute that she was on stage.

As Annie, Samantha Noel Treppeda (SEUSSICAL at MAR) was down to earth and spunky and she sang very well; when her canine co-star would not cooperate with stage direction, she simply kept on going in true “show must go on” tradition. Orphans, some of whom were in their teens, included Lily Calipa as Knuckles, Lara Cruzado as Kansas, Amelie Simard as Tessie, Cadence Siriani (MAR debut) as Nellie, Sophie O’Hara (MAR debut) as Duffy, Emma Lubbers (in her eighth MAR production) as July, Ciara Cueno as Pepper, Ainsley Dahlstrom (in her third ANNIE) as Kate, Ella Zamek as Patches and Abigail Rivas as an outstanding Molly.

Nancy Sasso Janis Photo by J. Timothy Quirk

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twit