April 4, 2006

San Jose Christian’s performance of ‘Annie Jr.’ wows audiences

By Julie Davis Berry
Executive Editor

“The sun will come out tomorrow”…well at least it did on stage in the March production of San Jose Christian School’s “Annie Jr.” recently.

The cast of San Jose Christian’s “Annie Jr.”

The play was directed by sixth grade teacher Amy Butz, with music teacher Kiel Houk at the helm of the musical direction and choreography.

“Annie” is set in a New York City orphanage in 1933. Living conditions in these orphanages were often deplorable so when the spunky Annie got her chance to go for a visit with Daddy Warbucks she jumped at it. Because he knew that Annie was always hoping to find her real parents, Warbucks decides to offer a reward to prompt the real parents of Annie to come forward. That sets the stage for a con job and an eventual happy ending that involves a visit from none other than President Roosevelt himself.

Eighth grader Michelle Thompson landed the role of Annie and took the role in a fresh direction by giving the young orphan a less whiney presence than previous efforts this writer has seen. Her strong voice and serious countenance entranced the audience.

Annie shows off her “dog” Sandy (played by Danielle Spoutz) to Daddy Warbucks (Gabe Weitzman) and Grace (Jamie Orozco).

Rochelle Stryker, also an eighth grader, owned the role of the snotty Miss Hannigan alternating between sweet, when addressing the orphans in front of an audience, or sour when addressing them in private.

Her co-horts in the scheme to claim Annie as her brother’s child and therefore claim the reward Daddy Warbucks had offered were admirable in their star turns as well with Elliot Fiske playing Miss Hannigan’s brother Rooster and Alex Nadell playing his wife Lily.

Gabe Weitzman, as Daddy Warbucks and Jamie Orozco as Grace his assistant turned in strong performances as well. One of the funniest moments on the stage came when SJC music teacher did his star turn as the special guest: a wheelchair bound President Roosevelt.

The production couldn’t have gotten off the ground without the help of the many parent and staff volunteers who spent their Saturdays painting stages and assembling props. Special thanks go out to Josh Butz for directing his set design and Marianne Nadell for her inventive costumes.