Talent bountiful in holiday musical
Warm yourself up this chilly Christmas season with bouts of laughter and doses of sweetness.
Greenwood Little Theatre’s production of “Annie,” the beloved and popular musical comedy, is unadulterated fun.
GLT’s holiday show, which includes a large, ensemble cast and has sold more than 900 tickets, is directed by David Dallas.
The musical’s setting, New York City amid the Great Depression just weeks before Christmas, seems anything but holiday cheer. Instead, the feeling is more of a sea of despair — people find themselves short of food and jobs.
For the title character Annie and her fellow orphaned friends, they’re living a “hard-knock life” under Miss Hannigan, the bickering and cruel orphanage matron portrayed by Connie Black.
Ainsley Melton and Isabelle O’Brien will rotate nights to each play Annie, the musical’s protagonist, a girl with unyielding optimism that she’ll someday reunite with her parents and live a better life.
Isabelle, who portrayed Annie during GLT’s Tuesday night preview of the musical, can sing, dance and act.
In fact, all of the play’s 36 actors — a mixture of children and adults — can sing, act and dance, which serves as a pleasant reminder that talent is bountiful in this Delta town.
Annie’s fortunes seem to turn for the better when she meets the benevolent billionaire Oliver Warbucks, portrayed by Paul Brown, and his personal assistant, Grace Farrell, portrayed by Shannon Melton.
Brown’s casting as Warbucks was an aptly made decision, considering he’s widely known in town for his piano and singing abilities.
The large, ensemble cast also allows other Greenwood actors to shine.
A young Ellen Miller, who plays Molly, one of the orphans, elicited several laughs with her dealings with Miss Hannigan.
The joy of this community theater production, aside from the local connection, is the family connection. You’re not only seeing your neighbors and friends acting, you’re also seeing family members act on the stage together.
That’s the case for the O’Briens. Isabelle is joined by her sister, Sarah Frances, who plays “a star to be,” and their father, Trey, whose commitment to portray one of the country’s most notable presidents is an accomplished feat.
Ambling in a wheelchair with a blanket sprawled across his lap while puffing away at a cigarette, Trey has been able to conjure up a new and funny impression of FDR.
It will also be sweet to see Ainsley Melton portray Annie, acting on stage with her mother, Shannon.
It’s hard not to watch the musical without breaking into a smile. The jokes and antics are well-played, and there’s an overall wholesome sweetness that accompanies the show.
The musical will open at 7 p.m. Thursday at the W.M. Whittington Jr. Playhouse. The show will also be performed at 7 p.m. Friday and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It will be performed the following week at 7 p.m. Dec. 19-20 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 21-22.
To make a reservation, visit www.greenwoodlittletheatre.com or call or text 662-947-1075.