Theater Review: "Annie" at Oxford High School

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

“Annie” was presented at Oxford High School Drama this past weekend, under the direction of Emily Marquardt and Kristen Collins. Caitlin Martell served as the show’s producer.

The musical features a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. “Annie” was originally produced by The Goodspeed Opera House when Michael P. Price was Executive Director.

Jenna Piecohta, a junior at Oxford High School, gave a wonderful performance in the title role. The young actress played Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” and was nominated for a Halo Award for her performance. OHS senior Isaac Motes took on the blustery Oliver Warbucks. Motes won a Hole Award for Best Lead Actor in a Contemporary Musical for “The Little Mermaid.” Emma O’Gorman (Ursula in “The Little Mermaid”) was a lovely Grace Farrell, personal secretary to Warbucks.

Hannah Brunje was perfectly cast in the role of Miss Hannigan, never breaking character. Sophomore Ryan Piechota, who was nominated for two Halos in 2024, played the underhanded Rooster Hannigan with Adriana Meyers, in her seventh year of theater, as his sidekick Lily St. Regis.

Playing the young named orphans were junior Emmeline Forsberg, Julianna Fabry, Elin Hallgren, Thamar Alcindor, Ava Sikorski, and Leah Durkin.

Dharaben Patel did well as Mrs. Pugh, Bonnie Boylan and Perkins, with Caitlin McKowan appearing as Mrs. Green and another “lovely Boylan sister.” Connor Roddy played radio host Bert Healy. Dylan Roth played Warbuck’s butler Drake.

Cora Collins appeared briefly in the role of Sandy, the stray dog. Collins is a second grade student at Quaker Farms School and performed in her second musical. Ayrianna Green stepped up to play the Star-to-Be and Connie Boylin.

The 11 musicians were seated on an onstage platform and Aron Smith conducted from keyboard 1. The set design by Chris Roddy and Bob Dorian worked well for the space. Costumes designed by Darlene Fitpatrick fit the period and the wearers. Persephone York was credited as the props maker.

Three of the performers shared the curtain speech duties. The high school performers had to take on the challenge of appearing as young orphans and well-drawn adult characters. Annie and orphans presented a high-energy, up tempo “Hard Knock Life.” There was some good choreography in “N.Y.C.” and “Easy Street.”