Annie the Musical at Mitchell Performing Arts Center

Even the director admits it, the Christmastime production by students at the Academy of the New Church Secondary Schools has gone to the dogs.

Well, one dog. Abby Nolan, a four-year-old golden retriever-poodle mix, won the walk-on part of Sandy, Annie’s rescued four-legged friend, in Annie the Musical, which will delight audiences of all ages for five performances Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15 at Mitchell Performing Arts Center in Bryn Athyn.

“Sarah Gladish, our director and choreographer, found someone who wanted to lend us her dog,” says producer Sarah Cooper Waelchli. “So Abby is our real canine cast member, with her own trainer. It’s going to make a this a pretty exciting production for the entire cast as well as our audiences.”

It’s not the first time an animal has played a significant role in an ANCSS show, though the others were students in a role. In 2016 Ava Elder portrayed Snoopy in A Charlie Brown Christmas. And this production’s Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks is played by senior Bradley Robinson, who was on stage last spring as Donkey in Shrek the Musical.

“Bradley, who is from Queens and boards at ANC, came here to play basketball, but after he started singing with our social clubs he ended up auditioning for Shrek,” says Cooper Waelchli. “He’s shifted his focus and is now preparing for college auditions for musical theater.”

The show’s eponymous star, the adorable red-headed Annie, is played by junior Madison Zagorksi from Willow Grove. Madison was Young Fiona and one of the Blind Mice in Shrek and in 2017 was Lucy in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Bird Woman in Mary Poppins.

While Annie may not seem like a typical holiday stage show, it does take place at Christmas and has the warm, uplifting message that fits the season. It also involves a large number of ANCSS students—50 comprise the cast and chorus alone, with more participating as members of the stage crew.

SYNOPSIS. It’s Christmastime in 1933, and little orphan Annie 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 Miss Hannigan. Annie escapes and embarks on a fun-filled adventure, foiling Miss Hannigan's evil machinations and making new friends—including President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! Just in time for Christmas, she finds a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. Annie is the perfect heart-warming, family-friendly musical for the holiday season.

Senior Camryn Buss plays Grace Farrell and senior Serena Boyesen is the unpleasant Miss Hannigan.

The show opens at 8pm on Friday, Dec. 7, and continues with four more performances: 7pm Saturday, Dec. 8; 8pm Friday, Dec. 14; and 2pm and 7pm Saturday, Dec. 15.

Tickets are $15, $12 for students and children. Purchase online at www.ANCSS.org, by phone at 267.502.4810 or at the door. Use the coupon code “AnnieOpening” at checkout for a $4 discount on each opening night ticket. MPAC is at 800 Tomlinson Rd, Bryn Athyn 19009.

Annie the Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

This production of Annie the Musical is directed by Sarah Gladish and Chris Waelchli and choreographed by Sarah Gladish. Chris Waelchli is Music Director. Donna Bostock is Pit Orchestra Director. Set Design & Construction is by ANCSS StageCraft Class (taught by Chris Waelchli) and Costumes are by the Costuming Class taught by Lori Odhner. MPAC Management, Lights, Sound and Props are by Naomi Haus-Roth and Alison Cole. The show is produced by Sarah Cooper Waelchli.

Performing Arts at ANC
The Academy of the New Church Secondary Schools’ robust arts program includes not only classes in instrumental, choral and dance but also two plays a year, a year-round dance team, two-week summer acting camp for middle-schoolers and an intensive Performing Arts Portfolio class taught by the co-directors.

Students interested in the backstage aspects of theater can take courses in set design or costuming. They can also participate as members of the stage crew or by joining the sound and lighting team.

IMAGE: Annie (Madison Zagorsky) and her dog Sandy (Abby Nolan) perform in Annie the Musical at Mitchell Performing Arts Center this December, a production of the students at the Academy of the New Church Secondary Schools. Credit: Adele Allen for ANCSS