ANNIE to Open at Rivertown Theaters, Today

Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts in Kenner's Rivertown will present the popular holiday favorite, "Annie", directed by co-artistic director Kelly Fouchi from December 6 - 22, 2013.

Theater-goers from all around the metropolitan area are invited to join the sweet and spunky orphan Annie and her adorable dog, Sandy, in adventure after fun-filled adventure on their search for a loving home! This heartwarming musical is a rambunctious mix of misfits, mutts, menaces and millionaires! A delightfully optimistic musical for the entire family, this bright and cheerful score is a musical treasure: "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile," "It's the Hard- Knock Life" and "Tomorrow." Book is by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse with lyrics by Martin Charnin.

It will be an "all in the family" Christmas season this year for the Fouchi and Rucker clans, all of whom are part of this production of "Annie "in addition to their roles as co-artistic director of Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts! Kelly Fouchi not only directs the show, but she will also perform as one of the characters as will husband Marc, and their daughters Tess and Savannah, all no strangers to local theater. Co-artistic director Gary Rucker and wife Shelley (regular performing favorites of Rivertown Theaters) will also spend much of their holiday time as part of the cast. The entire cast (which consists of several familiar faces to the Rivertown stages) and crew are as follows:

Cast - Orphans

Annie - Bree Hollis

Tessie - Tess Fouchi

Molly - Savannah Fouchi

Kate - Audrey Owen

July - Julia Kuchler

Pepper - Aimee Gonsoulin

Duffy - Amelia Jacquat

Orphan 1 - Bryce Leonard

Orphan 2 - Kamryn Roane

Adult Cast

Grace - Elise Harvey Lily St. Regis - Kelly Fouchi

Warbucks - Kurt Owens Burt Healy - Marc Fouchi
Hannigan - Lara Grice Rooster - Gary Rucker

Ensemble:

Brigid Higgins

Rusty Fox

Ian Morel

Nicky Roth

Jesse Forcha

Hannah Rachal

Elyse McDaniel

Kiersten Moore

Anna LeBlanc

Julieanne Natal

Madison Kerth

Jermaine Keelen

Jeff Springmann

Shelley Rucker

CAST NOTE: Ensemble cast member for this production, Madison Kerth, performed as Annie in the Broadway national tour for 18 months. She plays "Star To Be"....the role Andrea McCardle graduated to after playing Annie. Madison is also acting as dance captain for the show and serves as a wonderful mentor for the orphans and especially the little actor playing Annie. Madison has performed in several Rivertown Theaters productions and is available to share her stories and experiences playing Annie in the Broadway National Tour.

Production Team:

Director - Kelly Fouchi

Co-choreographer - Heidi Malnar

Co-choreographer - Kenny Beck

Musical Director - Alan Payne

Costume Designer - Linda Fried

Technical Director/Set Design - Eric Porter

Props - Gary Rucker

Stage Manager - Christy Combel

Asst. Stage Manager - Amanda Cavalier

Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts is located at 325 Minor St. in the heart of Rivertown, Kenner LA. Plenty of parking on the streets around the theater.

Performances are: Fridays & Saturdays - December 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 21 & 22 at 8:00pm and Sundays - December 8, 15 & 22 at 2:00pm.

** Tickets for "Annie" make great early Christmas gifts that the whole family can use and enjoy together during the holiday season! **

Individual ticket prices are: $38.50 for Adults; $36.50 for Seniors; $33.50 for Students/Active Military/Children, tax included. Corporate and individual sponsorships, season tickets, group and military discounts are available as well. To purchase, call the Box Office: (504) 461-9475 or 468-7221 or visit www.RivertownTheaters.com.

Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts kicked off its inaugural "BROADWAY SERIES AT RIVERTOWN" SCHEDULE FOR THE 2012-2013 SEASON with a new name, a new management company, Theatre 13, and new artistic directors, Gary Rucker and Kelly Fouchi. The mission of Theatre 13 is to bring new and exciting productions to the New Orleans area while providing local theatre artists an opportunity to perform, create, and be compensated for their work.

Now in its second successful season, Theatre 13 is producing a wide range of professional theatrical performances, from musicals to children's theatre to more controversial and thought-provoking works for Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts.