Marblehead Little Theatre To Hold Auditions For Annie, Jr.

Marblehead Little Theatre is excited to announce non-equity auditions for their upcoming production of Annie JR., featuring an all-youth cast. Music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and book by Thomas Meehan.

Annie JR. will be produced by Trudi Olivetti and Stanis Ames, directed by Janet Sheehan, with music direction by Georgia Bills. This production is for children ages 11-17 years.

Auditions will be held September 5 at 5:45pm, and call-backs are scheduled for September 6 at 5:00pm. Rehearsals begin on September 13, and productions dates are December 7-17. All auditions, rehearsals and performances will take place at Marblehead Little Theatre, 12 School Street, Marblehead.

Annie JR. singing auditions will begin with all actors learning a cut from the score as an ensemble. After rehearsing as an ensemble, each individual will then be asked to sing the cut alone. All music and instruction will be provided at the audition. There is no need to bring any of your own sheet music to the audition.

Those auditioning should wear comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear and be prepared to move. A dance combination will be taught as part of the audition process.

To register for an audition slot, please visit mltlive.org and navigate to the Auditions menu. Walk-ins will be accepted, but completed paperwork upon arrival is appreciated.

Character Breakdown

Annie - Annie is a complex little girl. She is a tough, streetwise urchin who is nevertheless vulnerable when she thinks she might lose what has become most important to her: a newfound “family” who loves her.

The Orphans - Molly, Tessie, July, Duffy, Kate and Pepper. These girls are gritty, neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and potentially lovable. The actors portraying them must be able to have mischievous fun with each other as well as “sibling-style” fights.

Miss Hannigan - This woman is definitely a “has-been.” Her distaste for her job and the children that are part of it should be obvious in every line she speaks, every song she sings and every move she makes.

Grace Farrell - Grace is mature, calm, cool and “together.” She is classy and businesslike when dealing with Miss Hannigan and Warbucks, yet maternal toward Annie.

Rooster - Rooster and Lily are quite the team — “team” being the operative word, as the characters play off each other constantly. Rooster is flashy and self-assured. His “moves” should be as smooth as a gambler’s, as should be the message he sells in “Easy Street.”

Lily - Rooster and Lily are quite the team — “team” being the operative word, as the characters play off each other constantly. Lily (airhead that she is) is always distracted, although she manages to pick up on any conversation involving money.

Warbucks - This may be the most challenging role for a student in this age group. He must appear middle-aged, self-assured and confident. At first awkwardly affectionate toward Annie, he soon finds himself completely charmed by her. He begins his transformation when he views “N.Y.C.” through Annie’s eyes and falls in love with the city again…and with her.

Sandy - Sandy is played by a human in this production. Sandy is Annie’s canine friend and scrappy in her own right. This dog also has to sing.

Servants (Drake, Mrs. Greer and Mrs. Pugh) - From the moment these characters enter the acting area, their presence, posture and speech should suggest the most fastidious of domestic help. Their heads are always held high and they rarely show their emotions.

Additional Characters - Each role is self-explanatory and usually identified by the character’s occupation. Servants, pedestrians, Bundles, the chauffer, Louis Howe, the apple seller and the dogcatcher.

BASED ON “LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE” BY PERMISSION OF THE MEDIA TRIBUNE SERVICES, INC.

ANNIE JR. IS PRESENTED THROUGH SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI).