Canton sister act shines on-stage in musical "Annie Jr"

A whopping 67 local kids are rehearsing lines, songs and dance steps to get ready for everyone’s favorite musical “Annie, Jr” at Village Theater at Cherry Hill in Canton. Our youth actors, ages 5 and up, hail from Plymouth, Livonia, Canton, South Lyon, Westland, Ann Arbor, Manchester and Ypsilanti! Thursday, 15 at 7:00 pm, Friday, October 16 at 7:00pm and FINAL shows on Saturday, October 17 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. 1 week-end only.

Bring the entire family to the ALL-YOUTH production of Annie Jr., at the Village Theater at Cherry Hill, Canton, Michigan. Presented by Spotlight on Youth Theater on Buy tickets now at 734-394-5300 or 734-394-5460 or online at www.canton-mi.org/villagetheater

Canton sisters, Kate, Lucy and Marion Nolan are featured in the upcoming musical “Annie Jr.” Lucy plays the title role of Annie; Kate plays Star-to-Be and Marion, age 6 plays Sandy the Dog.

This isn’t the siblings first taste of the stage, however. Kate and Lucy have been in 9 shows and Marion, three. Mom and Dad said that they have always been involved with local theater and when the kids were old enough to audition, they went for it!

Lucy described Annie as courageous, smart and full of hope. Kate said her character represents all of the hopeful people who have come to NYC for a better life. Marion described her character as a really nice dog! Favorite song for Kate is “NYC,” for Lucy: “Maybe” and for Marion: “The Sun will come out Tomorrow.”

They described the show this way:

“It’s about a little orphan who dreams of finding her real Mom & Dad and the amazing journey to finding a real home and family that is not what she ever expected.”

Director Barbara Bloom said: “This is a great family show! Annie Jr., based on the comic strip, tells the story of a feisty orphan that gets adopted by the richest man in town, with many memorable characters and wonderful songs that leaves you with a smile on your face and a song in your heart.”

Annie Jr. is a 70-minute version of the popular Broadway musical Annie geared specifically for a youth cast. Based on the 1930s comic strip Little Orphan Annie, the show tells the story of America’s favorite orphan girl, whose spunky antics in a Depression-era orphanage put her at odds with the institute’s cruel facilitator, Miss Hannigan. When Annie is chosen to spend Christmas with millionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, they both find hope, love – and a lot of thrills, especially when Miss Hannigan’s crooked brother Rooster gets into the act. And don’t forget Annie’s furry companion Sandy the dog!

Spotlight on Youth (SOY) exists to create an extraordinary youth centered theater experience and to advance theater as a means of educating, challenging and inspiring young people. Spotlight on Youth at the Village Theater at Cherry Hill seeks to create a cultural center for youth and families, where programs and activities will celebrate diverse art forms, ideas and cultures.

LOCATION: The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill Rd., Canton, MI, 48187. The Village Theater has free parking, is handicap accessible and has a concession stand.

TICKETS: By phone at the Village Theater Box Office at 734-394-5300 or 734-394-5460 or online at www.canton-mi.org/villagetheater or in person at The Summit on the Park or at the door! Box office opens 1 hour prior to show-time. Tickets are $15.00. Group sales are available $13.00 per 15 people per group.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Spotlight on Youth productions call at 248-719-3637.

Facebook: Spotlight on Youth. web: spotlightonyouthmi.com or e-mail: soy@mi.rr.com.