NSMT Presents ANNIE, Starring Jacquelyn Piro Donovan, Now thru 7/29

"Leapin' Lizards!" ANNIE, one of the best-loved family musicals of all time, takes center stage at North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) from tonight, July 17, through Sunday, July 29. Press night is scheduled for Wednesday, July 18 at 7:30pm.

"I feel it is very important for children to receive exposure to the arts. This is why it is so important for us to produce a big family show each year," said Bill Hanney, NSMT's owner and producer. " Annie will be a chance for all generations to spend time together at the theatre. Not only does this time help strengthen the family bond; it helps to nurture a love of live theatre in the youngest of audience members. Knowing that these children will grow up to be avid theatergoers assures me that the sun will truly come out tomorrow!"

Inspired by the famous comic strip Little Orphan Annie which first ran in the New York News in 1924, ANNIE made its Broadway debut in April 1977 and played 2,377 performances before closing in 1983. The show won seven Tony Awards, including for Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan), Best Original Score (music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin), and Best Choreography. This heart-warming musical is the rags-to-riches story of plucky young Annie's journey from the hard-knock New York orphanage to the luxurious home of billionaire businessman Oliver WarbuckS. Boasting one of Broadway's most memorable scores, including "It's the Hard Knock Life," "Easy Street" and the legendary "Tomorrow," fantastically visual choreography, a side-splittingly funny script and, of course, the adorable dog Sandy, it really is no surprise that ANNIE has become one of the best-loved family musicals of all time.

ANNIE will star 13-year-old Sudbury resident Lauren Weintraub. Lauren was selected from more than 400 girls who auditioned for parts in North Shore Music Theatre's production. The evil Miss Hannigan will be played by Broadway veteran and Lynnfield native Jacquelyn Piro Donovan. Jacquelyn was just seen playing Dolly Levi in NSMT's production of Hello Dolly!. The cast will also feature Raymond Jaramillo McLeod as Oliver Warbucks, Jessica Tyler Wright as Grace Farrell, John Schiappa as Rooster, Shanna Marie Palmer as Lily St Regis, Howard Pinhasik as F.D.R., and Mikey as Sandy.

Annie's orphan friends will be played by Piper Birney (age 8, of Wallingford, CT) as Kate, Maggie Budzyna (age 11, of Newburyport) as Tessie, Heather Buccini (age 9, of Withrop) as Pepper, Elena Carmichael (age 10, of Natick) as Molly, Jessica Lewis(age 11, of Needham) as Duffy, and JoAnna Rosen (age 15, of Marblehead) as July.

The ANNIE ensemble features Paul Aguirre, Desiree Davar, Patrick David , Rachel Fairbanks, Adam Lendermon, Cheryl McMahon, JP Qualters, Sara Michelle Reardon, Roger Preston Smith, and Sean Watkins.

ANNIE will be directed by James Brennan, choreographed by Patti Colombo, and musical direction will be provided by Nick DeGregorio. The creative team also includes Timothy R. Mackabee (Scenic Designer), Paula Peasley-Ninestein (Costume Coordinator), Jack Mehler (Lighting Designer), Charles Coes (Sound Designer), Gerard Kelly (Wig and Hair Designer), William Berloni (Animal Trainer), John Godbout (Production Stage Manager), Natalie A. Lynch (Assistant Stage Manager), and Colin R. Freeman (Assistant Music Director), Karen Maria Pisani (Children's Local Choreographer), Cassandra Marsh (Children's Local Music Director). ANNIE is produced for North Shore Music Theatre by Bill Hanney (Owner/Producer), Arianna Knapp (Artistic Director), and Beth Vasta (Associate Producer).

Tickets for the ANNIE are priced from $40 - $70. Kids 18 and under save 50% on Friday, July 20 at 8pm. Performances are July 17 - 29, Tue – Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Thur, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org, or visit the box office in person at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, Massachusetts. ANNIE is sponsored by Beverly Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital.

ADDITIONAL FREE AUDIENCE ENRICHMENT EVENTS: Meet the Theatre: post-show audience discussion with the artists on July 24 after the 7:30 pm performance and July 28 after the 2 pm performance; OUT at the North Shore, an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post-show reception (sponsored in part by Ryan & Wood Inc. Distilleries and Sparkling Soirées) on July 26 after the 7:30 pm performance.

The 2012 musical season continues with All Shook Up (August 14 – 26) starring Joyce Dewitt, 9 to 5 The Musical (September 25 – October 7), Guys and Dolls (October 30 – November 11), and concludes with the return of New England's brightest holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, December 7 –23, starring David Coffee as Ebenezer Scrooge.