Norcross HS Students Present Spring Musical 'Annie'

This week the Norcross High School theater arts school presents its Spring Musical, "Annie." A family favorite, it's the well-known and loved story of Little Orpan Annie embellished with infectious music and spirited dance.

There are four performances: opening night is Wednesday, April 27, at 7:00 p.m., the second show is Thursday, April 28, at 7:00 p.m. There will be no show Friday, April 29, because of the NHS Foundation for Excellence Gala Event that evening. The third show is Saturday, April 30, at 7:00 p.m. The production's final show is a matinee scheduled for Sunday, May 1, at 2:00 p.m.

All tickets are general admission and are available at the box office in the school lobby before each performance.  Tickets are $10 for preferred seating (you will be among the group admitted first to select your seats -- you must be at the school no later than 30 minutes before showtime to take advantage of this!), and $8 for regular seating.  There will be no student discounts for this production.

The story takes place in 1933 with 11-year-old Annie living in the Municipal Girls Orphanage. Her parents had dropped her off at the doorstep when she was a baby with a note that says they will come pick her up, so Annie is always hopeful that they are still out there ("Maybe"). The musical's songs "Tomorrow" and "It's the Hard-Knock Life" are among its most popular musical numbers.

The steller cast includes:  Senior Tyler Jundt as Daddy Warbucks (who by the shaved his head for his role); Sophomore Natalie Flanders as Annie; Senior Rachel Hackett as Grace; Senior Emily Brannon as Hannigan; Sophomore Marco Sanchez as Rooster; Senior Zoe Robbins as Lily; Senior Chloe Abdou, Senior Grainne Hutton, Freshman Laura Rojas, Senior Courtney Lopez, Freshman Nancy Thompson, and Junior Ella Presley as "high school" orphans.

Junior Dalyla McGee plays Mrs. Pugh/Woman No. 2; Junior Katie Reilley as Mrs. Greer/Apple Seller; Senior Vic Kirsch as Drake; Sophomore Frankie Collantes as Man No. 1; Senior Ross Howard as Eddie; Senior Will Crum as Dog Catcher; Junior Nike Gangbo as Assistant Dog Catcher; Kelsey Merriam as Woman No. 3; Senior Malcolm Ndango as Lt. Ward; Junior Eh-Den Perlove as Sophie; Senior Geena Washington as Man No. 4. 

Servants include: David Beach, Mia Brooks, Kessler Catterall, Patrick Chapin, Brendon Clarke, Will Crum, Sierra Geter, Ross Howard, Shaun MacLean, Jazmine McDonald, Kelsey Merriam, Malcolm Ndango, Eh-Den Perlove, Nancy Castro, Nike Gangbo.

Hooverville Bums include: David Beach, Nancy Castro, Patrick Chapin, Will Crum, Jason Bataillon, Kessler Catterall, Brendon Clarke, Frankie Collantes, Nike Gangbo , Sierra Geter, Sayaka Ishikawa, Shaun MacLean, Jazmine McDonald, Kelly Nichols, Eh-Den Perlove, Ella Presley, Katie Reilley, Geena Washington, Kelsey Merriam. Healy and the Boyline Sisters: Jason Bataillon, Eh-Den Perlove, Kelsey Merriam and Mia Brooks.

 There are also two casts of grade-school girls as young orphans.  The "New York" cast, performing on Wednesday, April 27, and Saturday, April 30, includes: Kristen Allen, Samantha Baker, Elizabeth Bertram, Tinsley Bertram, Ayana Brooks, Lindsay Chappell, Lauren Ernst-Fortin, Megan Gallagher, Rachel Godleski, Molly Hamrick, Sydney Jones, Erin Lynch, Carleigh MacLean, Katie Moebes, Miranda Murphy, Sara Nall, Luisa Ratan, Isabel Rodriguez, and Erin Stitt. 

The "Los Angeles" cast, performing on Thursday, April 28, and Sunday, May 1, includes: Ariana Allen, Catherine Campbell, Lydia Catterall, Caroline Gibbs, Malaya Illustrisimo, Camila Kuhn, Maggie O'Leary, Lilly Ott, Daniel Paez-Puma, Isabella Paez-Puma, Leah Ray, Kathryn Radley, Eden Schaflander, Isabella Smith, Kate Smith, Anna Sutton, Charlotte Whitmer, and Savannah Whitmer.             

The director is Gina Parrish. The stage manager is Erika Miranda and the Assistant Stage Manager is Braian Rivera.

Come for a wonderfully heartwarming evening of musical theater, starring high-school and elementary students from your neighborhoods.

Editor's note: Contact Bruce Hackett, President, NHS Drama Boosters, with any questions.