Students at island school to perform ‘Annie JR.’
The Sanibel School will present its Performing Arts production and the community is invited.
This year’s annual show will take place on May 20-22 at 6:30 p.m. in the cafetorium at the school, and it will feature “Annie JR.” Each performance will also include a special opening act.
“It’s a tradition every year at The Sanibel School that we hold a musical theater production that is performed by our Performing Arts class,” Music Department Director Joey Giangreco said. “It’s a great way to end the year and celebrate the hard work that the students put in throughout the semester.”
He explained that Performing Arts is an elective class for grades 6-8.
All of the students are part of the cast and crew for the show, but they have to take part in an audition and interview process for a role, including preparing a song, speaking part, resume and headshot.
“Performing Arts is really a musical theater class, so students learn how to prepare all of the elements that go into starring in a musical production, from singing to acting to dancing,” Giangreco said.
“Annie JR.” is based off of the original comic strip, which was “Little Orphan Annie.” It has been a musical with several variations, as well as performed in New York City as a Broadway production.
“‘Annie’ has been a musical that I’ve wanted to do for many years,” he said of selecting it as the production for this year. “But I’ve always looked for the group that would best fit the cast.”
Annie lives in Miss Hannigan’s orphanage and gets invited to stay in the Warbucks mansion over the Christmas holidays. Giangreco noted that his students have been working hard to prepare for the show.
“There’s a lot of fun that happens,” he said. “We think that everyone’s going to have a great time enjoying the classic story of Annie and all of the characters.”
Featured songs will include “Maybe,” “Tomorrow,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here,” “NYC,” “Easy Street,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” and “I Don’t Need Anything But You.”
“Our production will feature a full set, theatrical lighting,” Giangreco added. “It’ll be beautifully costumed, and it will feature a live animal as Sandy.”
The opening act each night will highlight other student ensembles at the school.
On May 20-21, the Orff Club will take the stage.
Made up of fourth and fifth graders, the group is named after composer and music educator Carl Orff. The students explore different ways of making music, such as instruments, movements and singing.
“They are actually going to be presenting a blacklight show, and we’ll be exploring all of those different ways,” he said.
The program will entail a drum routine for “Entry of the Gladiators,” an arrangement on xylophones and cajon for “Roar” by Katy Perry, “Sahara Sunrise” performed on tubano drums and xylophones, and a parachute movement routine to “Baba Yetu.”
On May 22, the middle school Seahorse Chorale will open for the final show.
“The Seahorse Chorale will be performing their set list that we had the opportunity to perform in Boston and New York City,” Giangreco said. “We will also feature a special song at the end.”
Seahorse Chorale alumni will be invited to join in singing “For Good,” from the musical “Wicked.”
A concession stand will be available for food and drinks, with the Annie-related theme of “You’re Never Fully Fed Without a Smile.”
“Each item will have a name that relates to the musical,” he said, citing Miss Hannigan’s twisted pretzels, Sandy’s hot dogs, Little Orphan Annie photo cookies and Rooster’s cotton candy as some.
“The concession stand, as well as our ticket sales, help to support our Music Department at The Sanibel School, including proceeds that will go toward our musical production next year,” Giangreco added.
Available at the door, tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 17 and under.
The community is invited out for an evening of entertainment.
“‘Annie’ is a feel-good classic musical,” he said. “And our students have been working very hard all semester to prepare for this production and they have been doing an incredible job.”
“Come out and support our students,” Giangreco added.
For more information, contact 239-472-1617 or josephag@leeschools.net.
The Sanibel School is at 3840 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
“Annie JR.”
When
May 20-22 at 6:30 p.m.
Where
The Sanibel School, 3840 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel
Details
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 17 and under