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
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
