Annie Cast & Crew Make it Look Like "Easy Street" at SOMS

The cast and crew of Annie, some 165 students strong, sold out for a record-breaking run this weekend, with shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  This was the first year, at least in the past decade, that the show sold out, according to producer Kathy Hester, who credited the teamwork onstage and behind the scenes.

Directed by Elizabeth Harris, produced by Hester and Sara Griffiths, with musical direction by Don Tighe, and choreography by Brian Loeffler and Kyndell Pierce, the cast of Annie arrived on Sunday to find would-be theatre-goers standing in front of South Orange Middle School holding signs that read, "One more ticket," and "I need two." This came after a morning of online buzz, with community members searching high and low for seats.

It was "a good feeling," said a number of cast members, knowing that the house was full. Supported by a large cast of parent volunteers, the students sang and danced to enthusiastic audiences of family, friends, and numerous teachers and administrators. 

"We saw Mr. Cohen," buzzed a few backstage eighth graders on Saturday night. "And Mr. Healy is here," perhaps scouting the talent, as he produces the CHS musicals. 

Four months of rehearsals, which culminated in a week of late nights, produced a show that one third grade reviewer said was, "better than the movie." A South Orange mother who planned to drop off her son and then stayed for the show said, "I feel like I've been to Broadway. The kids were incredible and the live music makes all the difference."

What was exciting for many of the performers was to see many neighbors in the audience, residents who don't have a kid in the show, but simply came to see it.

"It's a great event," said Sharon Pearce, who brought her first and third grade children. "We don't know a single kid in the cast, but what a wonderful outing and it's all about our community."

For the cast, crew and teachers involved, it was a weekend of Broadway-style melodies and memories. And establishing a new record of success, with a sold-out run, was the icing on the cake.

Missed the show? Want an encore? DVDs are available for $30. Order by contacting khester1@somsd.k12.nj.us or calling (973) 378-2772 ext. 2434. DVDs should be ordered by April 11, and will be available in mid-June.