USAO, CCT Bring 'Annie' to Life July 18-20

CHICKASHA -- Little Orphan Annie may have her eyes on New York, but she and her dog Sandy are heading for Chickasha first.

The Chickasha Community Theatre and the University of Science and Arts are teaming up to bring " Annie, Jr." to the stage this summer. The family-fun musical hits the USAO Davis Hall Theatre stage July 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and July 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets are now on sale at Jay's Jewelry in downtown Chickasha.

Several local singers, actors and dancers, including multiple children, are starring in the production.

" Not only will the sun come out tomorrow, it will be out every day until the 20th of July," said Katie Davis, assistant professor of drama and director of the production. " The kids in this show are so bright and so much fun, you can't help but have your spirits lifted!"

According to Davis, " Annie, Jr." is an abbreviated version of the Tony-Award-winning musical " Annie," which opened on Broadway in 1977. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth age 18 and younger.

The film version, starring Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney and Carol Burnett, has been a family favorite for more than 25 years. The story revolves around the title character, an 11-year-old orphan whose sunny outlook on life contrasts with the setting of the Great Depression.

The USAO/CCT production stars Whitney Cravens as Annie, David Calton as Oliver " Daddy" Warbucks and Frances Reding as Miss Hannigan. Additional cast members include Madeline Roberson as Molly, Lauren Mcgeough as Pepper/Usherette, Katy Garcia-Feaver as Duffy, Devyn Crosley as Kate and
Rhiannon Bowman as Annie's dog, Sandy.

Scenic Mosley plays Tessie with Katelyn Elrod as July, Baylee Williams as Dolly, Kyle Mottinger as Bundles/Louis Howe, Abriana Ochs as Apple Seller/Annette, Chris Stanford as Lt. Ward/Policeman and Julie Bohannon as Grace Farrell.

Dana Cravens plays the role of Drake/Bert Healy with Cameron Pearson as Dogcatcher, Whitney Whitaker as Cecille/Star-To-Be, Terri Thompson as Mrs. Greer, Meredith Winn as Mrs. Pugh, Travis Brauer as Rooster Hannigan, Alexandra Bohannon as Lily St. Regis and Bill Ohl as President Roosevelt.

" The crew from the Chickasha Community Theatre is working hard to make sure this show will be the most fun a family in Chickasha can have this month," Davis said. " Make sure to buy your tickets ahead of time; it will be standing room only."

Musical direction is provided by Rebecca Cravens.

Crew members include C.W. Bardsher, Rhonda Baughman, Casy Wright, Martin Reding, Christy Clift and Marcie Price.

Last summer, the Chickasha Community Theatre teamed up with USAO for " HONK, Jr." The playful musical set the familiar nursery story of the ugly duckling to music. Campus members, Chickasha residents and even members of other communities collaborated for the family-fun production.