Pismo Beach Youth Theater (PBYT) will stage its production of Annie Junior Dec. 11 to 13.
The musical is based on Harold Gray’s comic strip and features music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan. The production will be directed by Olivia Domingues-Miller and Kelli Howard. The play will feature fast-paced choreography, wide-ranging vocals, and acting by young performers from San Luis Obispo, Five Cities, and Santa Maria ranging in age from 5 to 14.
Annie Junior tells the tale of a plucky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the steps of a New York orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. In escapade after escapade, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil plans, befriends President Roosevelt, and tugs at the heartstrings of her newfound family, billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, and his able personal assistant, Grace Farrell. And don’t forget Annie’s lovable dog, Sandy.
Under the tutelage of Domingues-Miller, PBYT offers local kids the opportunity to participate in a high-quality children’s theater program.
Students from Santa Maria participating in the upcoming performance attend weekly classes on Wednesday afternoons at Temple Beth El. Interest has spread throughout schools in the Santa Maria-Bonita and Orcutt School Districts, in particular.
The group is now beginning its seventh season; Annie is the theater’s 26th production.
Performances will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11, at 2 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 12, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Black Box Theater of the Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 478 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for children. Call 471-4976.
This article appears in Dec 3-10, 2009.