It’s Time For Optimism: Just Ask Annie!

2019 comes a little early this year, thanks to a little girl named Annie, who has a huge effect on the economy, the presidency, and a billionaire’s heart.

“Metamorphosis,” that whole business about caterpillars turning into butterflies and maybe us folks with two feet planted firmly on the earth taking wing ourselves, is the theme for the upcoming season at the Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres in Nappanee, which features six musicals and a comedy filled with change, growth, and transformation.

And it’s also the theme of “Annie,” the holiday musical that closes the 2018
season at the Round Barn. We learn that one girl with a big smile, hope in her heart, and a belief in tomorrow, can change a world without hope in a dark time.

When the musical was first presented in 1977, New York City, where the musical is set, was mired in debt, crime, and despair. The Watergate corruption scandal fed a general attitude of skepticism about life in general. Words like “ennui” were used to describe the national spirit. But “Annie” with its positive spirit and its theme song, “Tomorrow,” demonstrated that Americans still believed that “The sun’ll come out tomorrow,” and that sooner or later things would get better.

They did. Get better. And they will. Bet your bottom dollar.

After all, it’s only been a decade, back in 2008, since Elkhart County was the poster child for the crash and recession we were enduring back then. “Annie” reminds us that grit, determination, and help from the government continues to help people recover when times are tough.

Come to think of it, “Annie” was part of the Round Barn Theatre’s own metamorphosis in 1996 when, at the encouragement of Joseph Stein, creator of the flagship production at Amish Acres, “Plain and Fancy” (as well as “Fiddler on the Roof”), the first musical repertory season was inaugurated. That season included a production of “Annie.” Sarajane Mullins was the title character of that production. Now an equity actor based in Boston, she returns to the Round Barn Theatre as Miss Hannigan in this year’s production!

Well, since I have your attention, let me bring up another metamorphosis while I’m at it -- my own. Full Disclosure -- I was asked to take a part in this year’s production of Annie, sharing the role of Franklin Delano Roosevelt with Artistic Director and Choreographer Jerry O’Boyle. And because I’ve been attending rehearsals I have the opportunity to remind audiences of one very important fact they may not think about.

Theatre is hard work.

“Annie” is an energetic show, with lots of singing and dancing, all of which is possible only because everyone stays in shape and works hard to make it look, not easy, but like life!

“Annie” began rehearsals while another show was on the boards, meaning some people rehearsed the upcoming musical while performing once or twice a day in another play.

Each actor came to work on time, prepared to give tremendous energy to learning their parts, even though life continues to go on, both near at hand and often very far away while family and friends go through life’s triumphs and crises.

Every actor had lots to do beyond rehearsal to get ready, studying their parts, learning lines, and contributing to the wellbeing of the theatre regardless of whether they’re in a particular show or not.

And every actor is prepared to work even harder at every show to insure it is a special occasion for you, your kids, and your grandkids when you put together your special holiday at the Round Barn.

Maddi Reese Ames plays Annie this time around with a smile that will enchant every audience. In addition to Mullins she’s joined Sarah Leigh Beason as Mrs. Greer, Kaitlyn Bell as Kate, Derek Brookens as Drake, Cora Callander as Tessie, Danae DeShazer as Grace Farrell, Jake Duvall-Early as Rooster, Savanah Griffin as July, Lucy Hanmond as Molly, Dan Hasy as Oliver Warbucks, Cora Kneisly as Molly, Naomi Moyer as Pepper, Kyulee Sark as Duffy, Chloe as the Star-To-Be, Ameliz Sutherland as Lily St. Regis, Jazmine Tamayo as Mrs. Pugh, with Darl Horning, Andrew Kear, Dave Kempher, Violet Race, Akira Waranbe, and Hanna Williams in the Ensemble.

Executive Producer Richard Pletcher is also Set Designer. Managing Artistic Director Ryan Schisler directs “Annie.” Elizabeth Wickens is Assistant Choreographer. Alejandro Gutierrez is Music Director. Austin Schoenfielder is Production Stage Manager, Karen Payton is the Costume Designer,

The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres presents “Annie,” Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Martin Charnin, Book by Thomas Meehan, November 9 through December 31, produced by special arrangement with Musical Theatre, International. American Sign Language Performance December 1, 2:00 PM. For information and reservations call (800) 800-4942 or go to www.amishacres.com.