Manchester Theatre Group Aims to Bring Broadway to Town with 'Annie'

The day before their Friday night opening, members of the Imperial Theatre Arts Association are putting the finishing touches on set design.

The founder and artistic director of the non-profit troupe, Michael Grande, took a seat in the audience to survey the stage. He directed the crew to swap a too-tall Christmas tree for one a bit smaller.

“This is just typical before-the-show stuff,” Grande said. “It’s actually going smooth.”

The group, founded in 2008, is preparing for “Annie,” their tenth production, which has four showings this weekend at Crestwood Village VII’s Fernwood Hall.

Grande said some of his 30 cast and crew have performed on-and off-Broadway, studied arts at academies and universities. Additionally, professionals will sometimes volunteer their time, Grande said.

“We are the first professional-grade theatre group in Manchester,” Grande said. “We’re pretty much considered Manchester’s theatre organization.”

A graduate of Stockton College and licensed New Jersey teacher, Grande said that many members have Broadway dreams, but family responsibilities keep them around the Jersey Shore.

"We all kind of want to be up in New York and on Broadway,” he said. “We figured, if we can’t get there, we will bring Broadway here to Manchester.”

Grande said that the group formed in Manchester simply because the township was in need of some culture. It helped that everyone “just happened to live here,” he said.

Kathy Burgett, who serves as music director, has been a teacher for over 30 years and said that “Annie” so far has been “the most fun show I’ve ever done.”

“I love working with the kids,” she said. “We needed a theatre group here. There are so many seniors in the area, and a lot of young people, too, so we needed a theatre group to pull everyone together.”

The group has open auditions, Burgett said, so anyone can participate.

In an effort to connect further with the community, a portion of the proceeds will go to Oceans of Love and Parents of Autistic Children.

Grande said that the donations are made as a way to “make sure we could help their continued success. I’ve come in contact with so many autistic kids and it’s a cause that needs a lot of attention."

The group plans a to begin a scholarship program for Manchester Township high schoolers in 2012 and has offered a scholarship to Central Regional students for the past two years, Grande said.

Even though it’s the day before the premiere of “Annie,” Grande is already looking forward to working with his group on the October production of “Jeckyll & Hyde.”

“It’s an extremely talented cast and the best show we’ve ever done,” Grande said. “Honestly, we just keep getting bigger and better. Broadway-caliber singers and actors."

Ticket information and show times are available on the association’s website or by calling 888-550-9389.