Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will present the beloved, family musical Annie October 17-26 at THE BLACK BOX in Franklin, MA. The production stars young local actor Colette Lelievre in the title role. Lelievre is a Bellingham, MA resident who attends Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School and the Franklin School for the Performing Arts.
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L to R: Colette Lelievre, Maria Sylvia Norris,
Nick Paone, Zoë Iacovelli |
Joining Lelievre onstage are NYC’s Maria Sylvia Norris (Beetlejuice on tour) as Miss Hannigan, Robbie Rescigno as Rooster, and Ali Funkhouser as Lily St. Regis, as well as local FPAC favorites Nick Paone as Daddy Warbucks and Zoë Iacovelli as Grace Farrell.
The cast features Bailey from Bill Berloni Theatrical Animals as Sandy. Bailey’s appearance as Sandy is brought to FPAC by the Parkman Family Foundation. The Orphans will be played by Kylie Adams, Tawny Adams, Katie Cornwell, Halley Henderson, Bella Pereira, Eliza Rodenhiser, Maja Thaker, Zoey Tucker, and Abby Winsor.
The ensemble, comprised of NYC and Boston/Providence talent as well as collegiate actors from programs including Dean College, includes Melissa Baratta, Michael Baratta, Gia Mae Chessa, Charley Eastman, Andrew Scott Holmes, Conor Meehan, Emiliano Morales, Andy Saehan Shin, Kellie Stamp, Lindsay Tomas, Jason Robert Warner, and Isis Wilson.
They will be joined by Student Apprentice Performers from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts Ani Corkran, Baree Frigon, Hailey Hulbig, Owen Charles, Ricky Fraser, Arabella Girouard, Penny Keenan, Suri Pahari, and Savannah Schlieman.
Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including “Tomorrow.”
Directed by Raye Lynn Mercer with Music Direction by Hallie Wetzell, the production features choreography by Broadway’s Clay Rice-Thomson (Moulin Rouge, KING KONG, Newsies, Matilda).
Before Friday and Saturday evening performances of FPAC’s Annie, audiences have the option to step into Hannigan’s: a 1930s speakeasy. When an add-on ticket is purchased, patrons will be sent instructions to find and enter this secret establishment including the password. Inside, patrons will be greeted by the prohibition-era staff and enjoy drinks, snacks, and live music. Speakeasy admission is 21+.
If patrons are attending the show with kids, they can follow Mr. Bundles to The Orphanage (the Orange Studio at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts) for supervised games and activities until 7:00pm. Only kids with a ticket to that night’s performance are permitted. The activities/supervision option is recommended for kids 12 and under, but all are welcome. The add-on ticket to this pre-show experience includes the password to Hannigan’s (it changes every night), an appetizer, soft drink, and reserved seating for the purchased ticket. Drinks and additional food will be available for purchase.
FPAC is an Actors’ Equity Small Professional Theater company based at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin, MA. Each season, FPAC produces musicals, plays, ballets, and more featuring Broadway stars, professional actors, local performers, and emerging artists. Tickets for Annie are available at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370.
