DURBAN’S formidable theatre production company, KickstArt start its busy year with the Broadway hit musical, Annie, at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on the UKZN campus from 23 May until 15 June.
The original Broadway musical based on the comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, by Harold Gray, opened in 1977 and ran for a record breaking near-six years at the Alvin Theatre.
The rags-to-riches story of everybody’s favourite orphan, Annie, features an impressive cast with Lisa Bobbert as the hilariously villainous Miss Hannigan. KickstArt’s Steven Stead will be making a rare appearance on stage as Miss Hannigan’s wicked brother, Daniel ‘Rooster’ Hannigan and Iain Ewok Robinson performs as billionaire Daddy Warbucks who opens his home and eventually opens his heart. Jessica Sole appears as Grace Farrel, Daddy Warbuck’s secretary who loves Annie from the start and Belinda Henwood as Lily St. Regis, Rooster’s trashy girlfriend.
Multi-award winning set designer, Greg King will create sets depicting New York City in the 1930s and Neil Stuart Harris is creating the gorgeous costumes.
The production team includes lighting designer, Tina Le Roux; Janine Bennewith as choreographer and Shelley McLean and Evan Roberts as musical directors. KickstArt’s production of Annie features memorable songs such as Tomorrow; Hard Knock Life, You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile, Maybe, Little Girls and Easy Street.
The show wouldn’t be complete without the title role of Annie, and this year KickstArt introduces two young girls that have been cast, after a rigorous audition process. Sarah Donkin from uMhlanga and Berea’s Luca Tarboton join forces to play the darling red head. The duo will be alternating their schedules over the three week run.
Annie will be joined by her familiar friends at the orphanage: Molly played jointly by Grace McIlroy and Sarah Sparks; Mayze played by Carmen Page Harris and Katelyn Hallowell; Pepper played by Wazana Moncho and Marianthe Panas; Duffy played by Cassidy Philips and Genevieve Matter; July played by Alaska Hilton and Emma Gillespie; Tessie played by Keryn Lynne Scott and Abigail Kane and finally Katy played Lidelwa Sibisi and Klara Robertson.
Booking is open and tickets can be purchased through Computicket, or phone on 0861 915 8000 or book online at www.computicket.com
For block bookings of 10 or more, or sold performances and early bird specials, contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places on 083 250 2690 or editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com
