Published January 28, 2008 12:24 am -
'Annie' finds a home in Valdosta
By Dean Poling
VALDOSTA — Judging from the rousing standing ovation Sunday afternoon, Little Orphan Annie found a home in
Valdosta.
A nearly sold-out crowd filled Mathis City Auditorium for “Annie,” presented as part of the Annette Howell Turner
Center for the Arts Presenter Series. The audience was treated to a fine show from the nationally touring,
professional Networks Presentations.
Using a sparse set, the cast, crew and live orchestra brought to life the dreadful orphanage of Annie and her small
friends to the crowded streets of New York to the luxurious mansion of Daddy Warbucks.
The cast’s singing and acting were superb, bringing musical life and humor to this show for all ages. While all
supporting performances were well done, the principals were impressive. Jeffrey B. Duncan was fun as President
Franklin D. Roosevelt. Abby Stevens was remarkable as Grace Farrell, Warbucks’ secretary. Lynn Andrews
received one of the biggest rounds of applause for her performance as the comical villain Miss Hannigan; she had the
double whammy of a versatile singing voice and the timing of a comedian.
Hard to believe “Annie” is David Barton’s first professional show, as he told The Valdosta Daily Times last week. His
Warbucks dominated the stage through his acting, his singing, and powerful presence. He made the blustering
billionaire, who crumbles for love of Annie, believable and larger than life. The show truly found its pace and its pulse
once Barton entered the stage.
But the show’s heart was in the performance of 10-year-old Amanda Balon as Annie. She never missed a beat. She
brought the character to life, and the audience could easily understand why Warbucks fell for her. She had the
audience falling, too.
“Annie” was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We could all use more Sundays with the promise of
“Tomorrow.”
'Annie' finds a home in Valdosta
By Dean Poling
VALDOSTA — Judging from the rousing standing ovation Sunday afternoon, Little Orphan Annie found a home in
Valdosta.
A nearly sold-out crowd filled Mathis City Auditorium for “Annie,” presented as part of the Annette Howell Turner
Center for the Arts Presenter Series. The audience was treated to a fine show from the nationally touring,
professional Networks Presentations.
Using a sparse set, the cast, crew and live orchestra brought to life the dreadful orphanage of Annie and her small
friends to the crowded streets of New York to the luxurious mansion of Daddy Warbucks.
The cast’s singing and acting were superb, bringing musical life and humor to this show for all ages. While all
supporting performances were well done, the principals were impressive. Jeffrey B. Duncan was fun as President
Franklin D. Roosevelt. Abby Stevens was remarkable as Grace Farrell, Warbucks’ secretary. Lynn Andrews
received one of the biggest rounds of applause for her performance as the comical villain Miss Hannigan; she had the
double whammy of a versatile singing voice and the timing of a comedian.
Hard to believe “Annie” is David Barton’s first professional show, as he told The Valdosta Daily Times last week. His
Warbucks dominated the stage through his acting, his singing, and powerful presence. He made the blustering
billionaire, who crumbles for love of Annie, believable and larger than life. The show truly found its pace and its pulse
once Barton entered the stage.
But the show’s heart was in the performance of 10-year-old Amanda Balon as Annie. She never missed a beat. She
brought the character to life, and the audience could easily understand why Warbucks fell for her. She had the
audience falling, too.
“Annie” was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We could all use more Sundays with the promise of
“Tomorrow.”
