Dedham pupils stage ‘Annie Jr.’

DEDHAM – The production of “Annie Jr.” at Dedham School was staged three times Oct. 25 through 27, but work on the production actually started months ago.

Teachers Linda Christie, Scott Pettengill and Julie Nickerson began organizing and auditioning pupils in June.

They met with the cast once a week through the summer, then scheduled rehearsals three or four times a week beginning in September. The three also served as directors.

Art teacher Beth Lambert rounded up props and designed and painted the scenery.

Favorite musical numbers from the Broadway show were included in the musical, from “Maybe” and “Hard-Knock Life” to “Tomorrow” and “You’re Never Fully Dressed without a Smile.”

Actors were: Skye White, Annie; Althea Grogan, Miss Hannigan; Keith Maynard, Oliver Warbucks; Molly Palmer, Hannah Rae, Brooke Madden, Katie Mae Holyoke, Courtney Maynard, Sarah Adams, Mandi Webb, Marley Seago, Karly Quinn, Rachel Lovley and Corinne Vaillancourt, orphans.

Cameron Lynch, Bundles McCloskey; Caleb Lynch, Apple Seller; Deanna Power, Dog Catcher; Taylor Edgecomb, Sandy; Tristan Wortman, Lt. Ward; Anna Burgess, Grace Farrell; Nicholas Christie, Drake; Kaili Quinn, Cecille; Ashley Wardwell, Annette; Sarah Frick, Mrs. Greer; Emily Campbell, Mrs. Pugh.

Alex Brookings, Star-to-Be; Mike Deschaine, Angry Man in New York City; Colleen Gilley, Usherette; Ben Hafford, Radio Announcer; Matt Adams, Rooster Hannigan; Jackie Files, Lily St. Regis; Dylan Whittington, Sound Effects Man; Liam Hedefine, Bert Healy; Brian Rice, President Franklin D. Roosevelt; Alex Burgess, Louis Howe.

Liam Hedefine, Mike Deschaine, Alex Brookings, Tristan Wortman and Jon Singleton, servants; Teresa Campbell, Lindsay Ames, Melissa Oakes, New Yorkers.

The Dedham School Parents, Teachers and Friends donated the funding for the play. Jim Spencer and Roger Harding built the scenery. Traci Quinn designed and made many of the costumes. Ace Hardware and Granville Lumber donated the paint for the scenery.