THE NEW DEAL IS THE REAL DEAL…
STRONG ANNIE CAST WILL HAVE YOU SINGING THROUGH TOMORROW
By Lydia Margolis
OPERA (Ohio Peoples Entertainment Review Association) Weekly October 24th 2007
If you are going to watch one musical this year, make it this production of "Annie". The
nationwide tour of the beloved Broadway musical anchored in Cincinnati on Tuesday, at the
Aronoff Center, for a six day run. Directed by original Broadway director and script lyricist,
Martin Charnin, this show may well be one of the best to grace the Cincinnati stage.
The timeless tale about little redhead, Annie, remains unchanged as does the underlying
theme of optimism and perseverance. Other aspects have been refreshingly recreated. The
set designed by Ming cho Lee has been modernized in a fashion that still preserves the style
of the Great Depression. Props run on tracks, allowing for quick, smooth and efficient scene
changes, keeping the show moving at a well paced rate.
This perfectly cast production is made up of some of the country’s most talented actors.
There is an obvious chemistry among the performers. Members of the ensemble portray their
versatility as actors by quickly adapting and remaining in character in multiple, varying roles.
Special mentions include Pat Sibley, Andy Meyers, Justin Glaser and especially Matt David
who's depiction in the cabinet scene of a re-born optimist is absolutely hilarious.
Heading up the show in the title role is eleven year old wonder star, Amanda Balon. Whether
acting, singing or dancing it is clear that this is not a little girl who simply memorized a
script to play a role on stage. This little actress, who possesses the maturity of a seasoned
performer is extraordinarily convincing in her role as Annie. Had such a character truly
existed, Amanda is exactly who Annie would have been. Balon believably conveys a span of
her character's emotions by utilizing spectacular vocal and acting skills as well as dynamic
facial expressions. Her fear of Miss Hannigan, the boozy, slave mistress of the orphanage,
her adoration of the gruff, Oliver Warbucks and her hopeful love for her parents is so
believable I found myself swallowing down the lump in my throat on more than one occasion.
Equally impressive in her own role is Abby Stevens,Warbucks ever efficient, sexy-yet-straight
laced secretary. Stevens confidently claims her role as Grace Farrell. Not only does she meet
the challenge of flawlessly executing the high vocal runs, Stevens talent as a brilliant actress
give Farrell’s usual hum-drum character a decorative, amusing persona. David Barton plays to
perfection his role as the stout, affluent industrialist, Oliver Warbucks. Barton has just the
right amount of gruffness and assertion, giving him a powerful stage presence. Lynn Andrews
as "Aggie" Hannigan is a crowd favorite. Andrews remains true to her role as the quirky,
booze guzzling, disturbed,comedic, sometimes over-the-top, caretaker of the orphanage.
"Aggie" along with the villainous Rooster,(Michael Zygo) & Lily St. Regis,(Cheryl Hoffman)
display their vocal strength in the catchy number “Easy Street”. Hannigans troupe of seven
orphans are as energetic and darling as it gets. The piercing sound of the whistle that the
orphanage slave mistress carries around her neck has the children lining up tallest to
shortest. Shoe lifts accommodate Amanda Balons (Annie) small size here, raising her up,
above at least two of her orphan counterparts. Both the "Hard Knock Life" number and the
"Smile" number are well done and enjoyable. The six orphans who remain in the orphanage
after Annie's escape, continue with their antics aimed mostly at tormenting Mrs. Hannigan.
Outstanding mentions include Jaida Benjamin (July) as the triple threat of the group and
AnnaLisa DiBernardo (Molly) for her undeniable cuteness.
As with all shows this one does not come without its own set of problems. The mics are
unbalanced. In several scenes the actors voices come across as high pitched whereas in
others they are barely audible. The stage lights are dim & the spotlight darts around before
settling on its focus.
Want to learn more about these actors or memorialize your evening? Don’t expect to
accomplish this through any type of souvenir program. There isn’t one. The sparse website
does not offer too much more. The one short media clip it does include is incidentally from
years past, and bears absolutely no resemblance to any members of this phenomenal cast.
Fortunately it is the cast that carries this show and with or without an appropriate memento,
they will have you humming “Tomorrow” long after the curtain comes down.
Over-all this is an excellent production & well deserving of the standing ovation & thunderous
applause it received. Even if you have seen "Annie" a thousand times before, you will love
this re-creation
STRONG ANNIE CAST WILL HAVE YOU SINGING THROUGH TOMORROW
By Lydia Margolis
OPERA (Ohio Peoples Entertainment Review Association) Weekly October 24th 2007
If you are going to watch one musical this year, make it this production of "Annie". The
nationwide tour of the beloved Broadway musical anchored in Cincinnati on Tuesday, at the
Aronoff Center, for a six day run. Directed by original Broadway director and script lyricist,
Martin Charnin, this show may well be one of the best to grace the Cincinnati stage.
The timeless tale about little redhead, Annie, remains unchanged as does the underlying
theme of optimism and perseverance. Other aspects have been refreshingly recreated. The
set designed by Ming cho Lee has been modernized in a fashion that still preserves the style
of the Great Depression. Props run on tracks, allowing for quick, smooth and efficient scene
changes, keeping the show moving at a well paced rate.
This perfectly cast production is made up of some of the country’s most talented actors.
There is an obvious chemistry among the performers. Members of the ensemble portray their
versatility as actors by quickly adapting and remaining in character in multiple, varying roles.
Special mentions include Pat Sibley, Andy Meyers, Justin Glaser and especially Matt David
who's depiction in the cabinet scene of a re-born optimist is absolutely hilarious.
Heading up the show in the title role is eleven year old wonder star, Amanda Balon. Whether
acting, singing or dancing it is clear that this is not a little girl who simply memorized a
script to play a role on stage. This little actress, who possesses the maturity of a seasoned
performer is extraordinarily convincing in her role as Annie. Had such a character truly
existed, Amanda is exactly who Annie would have been. Balon believably conveys a span of
her character's emotions by utilizing spectacular vocal and acting skills as well as dynamic
facial expressions. Her fear of Miss Hannigan, the boozy, slave mistress of the orphanage,
her adoration of the gruff, Oliver Warbucks and her hopeful love for her parents is so
believable I found myself swallowing down the lump in my throat on more than one occasion.
Equally impressive in her own role is Abby Stevens,Warbucks ever efficient, sexy-yet-straight
laced secretary. Stevens confidently claims her role as Grace Farrell. Not only does she meet
the challenge of flawlessly executing the high vocal runs, Stevens talent as a brilliant actress
give Farrell’s usual hum-drum character a decorative, amusing persona. David Barton plays to
perfection his role as the stout, affluent industrialist, Oliver Warbucks. Barton has just the
right amount of gruffness and assertion, giving him a powerful stage presence. Lynn Andrews
as "Aggie" Hannigan is a crowd favorite. Andrews remains true to her role as the quirky,
booze guzzling, disturbed,comedic, sometimes over-the-top, caretaker of the orphanage.
"Aggie" along with the villainous Rooster,(Michael Zygo) & Lily St. Regis,(Cheryl Hoffman)
display their vocal strength in the catchy number “Easy Street”. Hannigans troupe of seven
orphans are as energetic and darling as it gets. The piercing sound of the whistle that the
orphanage slave mistress carries around her neck has the children lining up tallest to
shortest. Shoe lifts accommodate Amanda Balons (Annie) small size here, raising her up,
above at least two of her orphan counterparts. Both the "Hard Knock Life" number and the
"Smile" number are well done and enjoyable. The six orphans who remain in the orphanage
after Annie's escape, continue with their antics aimed mostly at tormenting Mrs. Hannigan.
Outstanding mentions include Jaida Benjamin (July) as the triple threat of the group and
AnnaLisa DiBernardo (Molly) for her undeniable cuteness.
As with all shows this one does not come without its own set of problems. The mics are
unbalanced. In several scenes the actors voices come across as high pitched whereas in
others they are barely audible. The stage lights are dim & the spotlight darts around before
settling on its focus.
Want to learn more about these actors or memorialize your evening? Don’t expect to
accomplish this through any type of souvenir program. There isn’t one. The sparse website
does not offer too much more. The one short media clip it does include is incidentally from
years past, and bears absolutely no resemblance to any members of this phenomenal cast.
Fortunately it is the cast that carries this show and with or without an appropriate memento,
they will have you humming “Tomorrow” long after the curtain comes down.
Over-all this is an excellent production & well deserving of the standing ovation & thunderous
applause it received. Even if you have seen "Annie" a thousand times before, you will love
this re-creation
