Review: ANNIE at CANTON VILLAGE THEATRE Thrills Patrons

Now on stage at Canton Village Theatre is Spotlight Players' production of the musical ANNIE. Directed by John Sartor, this version adds wonderful scenes that improve the storyline even better than before. During the awkward moments when the curtain was down and set changes were being made, Sartor had little boys walk about the stage, selling apples - it was a brilliant use of time. Sartor also added interesting scenes, such as FDR reading a fireside speech from one of the side satellites, opening the show with Annie's parents dropping her off at Hudson Street home for girls as an infant, an amazing subway set where pedestrians rose to the stage from the pit as if exiting the subway line, and a climax with jetted streamers and pyrotechnics.

The star of the show, Annie, played by Fiona McCardell, was delightful. I liked the way she actually sounded like a child, rather than using a teenager pretending to be a child. I liked her hair style and color; it made her look more real than the typical clown-looking Annie with Ronald McDonald red hair.

Rooster (Dan Carty) was magnificent as a singer, dancer and actor. He moved about the stage with impeccable choreography. It was a joy to see him dance.

Grace Farrell, played by Becky Turza Paul was stunning in her costumes. Her diamond necklace and ball gown let her shine on stage as the epitome of grace, itself.

The surprise actor was Tommy Jacobs, who is new to Spotlight Players. He played the roles of policeman, Bert Healy, Hoover Town Shanty homeless man, stairway cleaner, Harold Ickes, and champagne server. Reminiscent of Robert Redford during his youth, Jacobs is drop dead gorgeous. He got the chance to show off his singing talent as Bert Healy - I see a rising star. He could play any leading role he wanted with those looks and talent.

Leo Babcock created a magnificent set for the show - his touch is always spectacular. I love seeing any show he does - his imagination and vision are legendary.

Kelvin Elvidge has been the sound engineer for over 80 productions in his career, and has never duplicated a performance. The director said Elvidge is the best sound engineer he has ever worked with.

I loved the teeny tiny Janet Jackson look-a-like who played one of the orphans. You can see dance talent in her though still a toddler.

Molly (Juliana Lee) was adorable in her role - she knew her lines and delighted the audience.

Miss Hannigan (Nicci DerStepanian) gave us a thrill during the Christmas party scene when she wears an outrageous, festive costume. Usually this character is dressed in dumpy, dark frocks. DerStepanian nailed the part and showed us Hannigan can be a real hoot.

ANNIE runs April 27-29 & May 4-6, 2018 on the main stage at Canton Village Theatre. For tickets and information kindly visit http://spotlightplayersmi.org/2017-2018-season/annie/.

Annie -- Fiona McCardell

Oliver Warbucks -- Jared Joffert

Grace Ferrell -- Becky Paul

Miss Hannigan -- Nicci DerStepanian

Rooster -- Dan Carty

Lily St. Regis / Boylan Sister#1 -- Katie Ekblad

Franklin D. Roosevelt -- Keith Schooley

Start to Be -- Caroline Valdes

Orphans

Molly -- Juliana Lee

Pepper -- Lucy Dineen

Duffy -- Tabitha Miller

Tessie -- Katie Temple

July -- Autumn Paul

Kate -- Isabella Edmonds-Hogan

Ensemble

Bert Healy -- Tommy Jacobs

Sophie / Mrs. Pugh -- Becky Dodd-Shery

Boylan Sister #2 -- Jema McCardell

Drake -- Christopher Tremblay

Perkins -- Noel McHardy

Lt Ward / Justice Brandeis -- Dennis Farmer

Mr. Bundles -- Tim Chanko

Boylan Sister #3 -- Kristy Larocque

Annette -- Brianna Hodge

Ensemble

Isabella Bodis,

E'Leena Bullock

Angela Callejo

Aubrey Evans

Layla Fumas

Rebecca Garvery

Courtney Gillis

Temperance Gorman

Verity Gorman

Paul Hardy

Sarah Hoffert

Amrita Karwa

AJ Kosmalski

Carmela Kosmalski

Mary Clare Kosmalski

Emily Kruse

Logan Larocque

Cade Leonard

Serena Mahmoud

Alessandra Martin

Lauren Martin

Chloe Mattic

Dee Morrison

Elyn Mueller

Veronica Myers

Marianna Posinelli

Calise Romero

Kellie Runkle

Logan Sargent

Evan Sartor

Holly Saulsberry

Mary Smith

Nora Smith

Kat Stanley

Shaylee Szaraz

Marianna Vespa

Brooke Wess

Abby Westhoff

Photos by Belinda Hodge.

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