THREE local girls have been selected to perform in the upcoming KickstArt’s Annie at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from 23 May.
Performing alongside top Durban actors are Alaska Hilton in the role of July of Toti Primary School; Carmen Page Harris in the role of Mayzie of Toti Primary School and Katelyn Hallowell also in the role of Mayzie of Umkomaas Primary.
The young songstresses went through a gruelling audition process, where they were put through their paces, singing and dancing. Rehearsals will start on the Easter weekend.
Durban’s formidable theatre production company, KickstArt starts its busy year with the Broadway hit musical, Annie, at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre at the UKZN campus from 23 May to 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; Iain Ewok Robinson performs as billionaire Daddy Warbucks who opens his home and eventually his heart; Jessica Sole 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.
The production 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 two young girls have been cast, after a rigorous audition process. Sarah Donkin from uMhlanga and Berea’s Luca Tarboton join forces to play the darling redhead. The duo will alternate 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 by Lidelwa Sibisi and Klara Robertson.
Annie is a guaranteed delight for the whole family For more information visit www.kickstart-theatre.co.za. Booking is open and tickets can be purchased through Computicket; or call 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
