New Britain Youth Theater to Stage ANNIE JR This December

New Britain Youth Theater brings "the World's Favorite Family Musical" to the stage this December.

The youth theater's holiday musical, Annie Jr, is based on the comic strip that debuted in 1924 and the Broadway production from 1977. The musical tells the story of the young orphan Annie who is brought from her orphanage to spend Christmas with New York billionaire Oliver Warbucks for a life-changing experience. Among the songs are musical theater favorites including "It's Hard Knock Life," "Easy Street," "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here," and of course "Tomorrow." (The "junior" version of the musical is slightly adapted for young actors and audience.) The performances are directed by Darren Farrington, musical directed by Angela Klimaytis, and choreographed by Chelsea Derby. Liberty Bank Foundation is sponsor of this and other season productions.

The musical stars over fifty children ages 5 through 18 from throughout Connecticut, and it is appropriate for audiences of all ages. "Our youngest cast members play orphans and also newsies and apple sellers on the streets," said Farrington, "and older children are the staff at Oliver Warbuck's mansion and other New Yorkers at the orphanage, movie theater, radio station, and streets of New York."

Annie Jr will be performed at Holmes Elementary School, a community space located at 2150 Stanley Street in New Britain. Performances are Friday, December 8, at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, December 9, at 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, December 10 at 2:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $13 for adults and $11 for children, students, and seniors. Tickets may be reserved by calling New Britain Youth Theater at 860-515-8115 or may be purchased online at www.nbyt.org.

Founded in 2010 and selected as Connecticut's Best Children's Theater by Connecticut Magazine in 2017, New Britain Youth Theater is a professionally-run community and educational theater for children and teens. NBYT produces a season of performances by and for children and young adults, provides educational programming to schools in and around New Britain, and offers drama classes, individual coaching and lessons, and summer programs. The theater reaches children and their families in Greater New Britain, Greater Hartford, the Farmington Valley, and throughout Connecticut. NBYT programs include "Kids on Stage!" productions, the NBYT Teen Company, Stage Performance classes, in-school and after-school arts-integrated and arts-enrichment programming, community outreach programs, and more. NBYT is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and young adults by encouraging creative thinking and collaborative teamwork, fostering self-confidence and self-esteem, and developing social, emotional, and academic skills through involvement in high-quality, low-cost programs in the performing arts. NBYT operates its programs in schools and community spaces throughout Greater New Britain, and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

For more about the New Britain Youth Theater, visit www.nbyt.org, or follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NewBritainYouthTheater, Twitter: twitter.com/NBYT_onstage, and Instagram: www.instagram.com/nbyt_onstage.