The additional performances will be Saturday, December 28 at 8 pm; Sunday, December 29 at 3 pm; Thursday, January 2 at 7:30 pm; Friday, January 3 and Saturday, January 4 at 8 pm; and Sunday, January 5 at 3 pm.
The CHICAGO TRIBUNE once called this musical comedy based on the long-running comic strip LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE one of the best family musicals ever penned.” It ran for nearly six years in its initial Broadway production and has twice been revived on Broadway. It was also adapted as a popular feature film and network television special. Frequent Citadel director Robert D. Estrin, who helmed last year’s JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT and the Jeff Award-winning THE EXPLORERS CLUB, directs a cast of professional musical theater performers alongside an ensemble of local children as the orphans.
Alternating in the title role are Sophie Kaegi, who has had roles in AN INSPECTOR CALLS (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), ELF THE MUSICAL (Paramount Theatre), and INTO THE WOODS (Writers Theatre); and Kayla Norris, whose credits include such leading roles as Dorothy In THE WIZ REMIX, Mulan in MULAN JR., and Young Nala in LION KING JR..
Playing Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks is John B. Boss, seen recently as Joseph Pulitzer in NEWSIES at Timber Lake Playhouse, on tour with THE PRODUCERS as Roger DeBris and as Daddy Murphy in BoHo Theatre’s Chicago premiere of BRIGHT STAR. Citadel Theatre co-founder and Actors Equity member Ellen Phelps plays the orphanage mistress Miss Hannigan while Kyle Ryan and Becca Duff have the roles of the conniving Rooster Hannigan and Lily St. Regis and Chamaya Moody plays Warbucks’s secretary Grace Farrell.
Two groups of young performers alternate as the other orphans under Miss Hannigan’s care: Isabel Ackerman (Kate), Lila Bahng (Molly), Emiko Chichester (Pepper), Sara Deodhar (Tessie), Jocelyn Goldman (Duffy), Cate Gordon (Duffy), Allison Gregorio (Pepper), Nora Hubert (Kate), Sammy Menapace (Tessie), Everleigh Murphy (Molly), and Sophia Smith (July).
The adult cast also includes Anne Arza (Mrs. Pugh, Ensemble), John Benischek (Lt. Ward, Jimmy Johnson, Judge, Secretary of State, Bill Chamberlain (Roosevelt), Jonah Cochin (Dog Catcher, Star-To-Be, Morganthau, Ensemble), Jimmy Hogan (Bert Healy, Louis Howe, Ensemble), Emily Lewis (Sophie, Cecille, Boylan Sister, Ensemble), Rebecca Marowitz (Female Swing, Ensemble), Nicky Mendelsohn (Bundles, Eddie, Fred McCracken, Kaltenborn, Man 2), Alexander Rubin (Drake, Sound Effects Man, Ickes, Ensemble), Alison Stake (Mrs. Greer, Boylan Sister, Frances Perkins, Ensemble, Dance Captain), Shaina Summerville (Annette, Star-to-Be, Boylan Sister, Ensemble). Michael Ryan (Male Swing, Ensemble), David Lemrise (Understudy for Oliver Warbucks).
The design and production team includes: Eric Luchen (scenic design), Diane D. Fairchild (lighting design), Patty Halajian (costume design), Bob Boxer (sound design), Samantha Thielman (props design), Linda Andrews (wigs and hair design), Ellen Phelps (Production Manager), Samantha Tink (Stage Manager), Samantha Thielman (Assistant Stage Manager), Lee Moore (Scenic Charge Artist), Jill Litwin (Child & Dog Supervisor), Evan Sposato (Master Carpenter), Dana Palka (stage crew), Jeffrey Gedes (Dramaturg, Audition Coordinator, Production Assistant to the Program).
Citadel Theatre is located at 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL. Tickets for ANNIE are now on sale at Tickets available online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext. 1.
LISTING INFORMATION
ANNIE
Music by Charles Strouse, Book by Thomas Meehan, Lyrics by Martin Charnin
Directed by Robert D. Estrin
Choreography by Jake Ganzer
Music Direction by Ryan Brewster
Friday, November 22 – Sunday, January 5, 2020
Press opening Friday, November 22 at 8:00 pm.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Thursday, December 12 – 7:30 pm
Friday, December 13 – 8:00 pm
Saturday, December 14 – 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 15 – 3:00 pm
Wednesday, December 18 – 1:00 pm
Thursday, December 19 – 7:30 pm
Friday, December 20 – 8:00 pm
Saturday, December 21 – 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 22 – 3:00 pm
Saturday, December 28 - 8 pm
Sunday, December 29 - 3 pm
Thursday, January 2 - 7:30 pm
Friday, January 3 - 8:00 pm
Saturday, January 4 - 8 pm
Sunday, January 5 - 3 pm.
Ticket prices Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays $40.00; Saturdays and Sundays $45.00. Discounts available for groups, seniors and students/children.
Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL
Tickets available online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext. 1
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations... and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
Robert D. Estrin (Director, ANNIE) Robert’s directing credits include JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, THE EXPLORERS CLUB, A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER, CABARET, OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY, LEND ME A TENOR (Citadel); THE SUM OF US (1027 Productions). Director/Designer: SUCH A PRETTY FACE (Off Broadway Equity Showcase production, New York City). Designer: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, LITTLE WOMEN, THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE, THE BOARDING HOUSE, SOMETHING’S AFOOT (Citadel); CORPUS DELICTI, MR. SHAW GOES TO HOLLYWOOD, SIDE EFFECTS MAY INCLUDE (MadKap Productions). Retired in 2005 from New Trier High School after thirty-four years of teaching theatre. Visit Bob on his Facebook page. Education: Northern Illinois University (B.A.); University of Illinois (M.A.).
Citadel Theatre is one of Chicagoland’s premier live theatres, producing hundreds of performances annually and inspiring audiences for over 16 years. Founded by Scott and Ellen Phelps in 2002, Citadel Theatre is comprised of its Main Stage performances, its On Tour programs, and its theatre acting classes for children. A proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres and the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff ArtsLink, Citadel Theatre offers a unique intimate theatre experience that transports you to another setting and leaves you feeling exhilarated and wanting more. A recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Citadel can accept tax-deductible donations. For more information, ticketing, and to donate, please visit Citadel online at www.CitadelTheatre.org or call 847.735.8554.