Leapin' Lizards! MVCCT Debuts Production of Annie

With infectious songs, a sympathetic storyline and a few dance numbers, the Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre plans to dazzle audiences at Carl Sandburg Middle School this weekend with their production of Annie.

Directors of the production said they have wanted to put on this “quintessential” musical for a long time.

Set in the 1930s, the Broadway musical tells the story of Annie, an orphan who receives a dose of luck when she is offered the opportunity to live with rich businessman Oliver Warbucks for a week as part of a publicity campaign.  But when the charming Annie and Warbuks attempt to find her parents, both of them realize they may get more then they bargained for.

Director Sara Jane Lilley said her goal was to put on a production that did the classic musical justice.

“It’s a straightforward tale.  My goal was really to tell the story and not stick to the stereotypes,” Lilley said.  “I wanted to bring the characters to life.”

Lilley has worked a lot with the MVCCT camps and teaches music in Fairfax County.  Annie marks her directorial debut—a role she has enjoyed throughout her tenure.

Lilley chose to keep set pieces minimalist to keep the audience’s focus on the actors.  The costumes were true to the time period.  The orphans were clad in ragged tunics and dresses with bloomers underneath.  The staff members at Warbucks’ mansion were formally dressed as maids, butlers and secretaries.  The scenes in New York City featured stylish, 1930s winter wear. Lilley said 200 children auditioned for 45 spots; she feels she’s assembled a talented group, who range from eight to 18 years of age.

Maya Brettell, a seventh grader at South County Secondary School, won the title role of the resilient orphan and happily dyed her hair red to get in character.  She had to use a strong and clear voice to carry her through difficult songs like Tomorrow and Maybe. 

She said her favorite song in Annie is ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life,’ because “it’s the most authentic dance number in the show,” and she thinks the audiences are won over by Sandy, the lovable stray Annie adopts in Act One (played in this production by Lilley’s dog Hondo). Brettell has appeared in at the Little Theater of Alexandri and several MVCCT productions, including Peter Pan.

“We have really talented kids in this cast,” Brettell said.  “It got really hard and stressful at some points, but it turned out really well.”

David Lopez, a sophomore at Washington-Lee High School played Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks very well.  His character embodies the billionaire’s take-charge persona, but also reveals his soft-spot for Annie.  Sanou Diallo, a freshman at West Potomac High School plays the lovely and diplomatic  Grace.  Barbara Peisch and Derek Farino play villains Miss Hannigan and Rooster.

Lilley said she thinks the young actors gained more than performance chops by choosing to participate.

“The confidence that is gained is huge, especially in this world of bullying,” Lilley said.  “There’s also a lot of research that shows kids involved in the arts are more independent learners.”

If you’re interested in tapping your feet along to classic songs like “I Don’t Need Anything But You” there are several more performances of Annie.  Remaining shows run April 2-3.  For information about tickets, click here.