ANNIE To Play Holiday Encore in Aspen's Wheeler Opera House 12/16-23

Theatre Aspen, an award-winning professional theatre in the Rocky Mountains, announced an encore presentation of the beloved musical Annie, by Thomas Meehan (book), Charles Strouse (music) and Martin Charnin (lyrics). Annie played to sold-out houses in Aspen this summer, and was the largest musical ever produced by the organization, now in its twenty-eighth year. Annie will run from December 16th - 23rd, at the historic Wheeler Opera House in downtown Aspen. Tickets go on sale October 4th, 2011.

The summer cast of Annie featured Broadway's David Hess (Sweeney Todd, Ragtime, Annie Get Your Gun) as Warbucks, Joan Hess (Flight of the Conchords, Mamma Mia, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) as Grace, local favorite Nina Gabianelli as Miss Hannigan, Julia Foran as Annie and Dennis Kyle as Rooster. Also featured were Franz Alderfer (Marie Christine) and Tess Ferrell, along with the orphans played by Sophie Schlosser, Karlie Nelson, Kaia Vresilovic, Talitha Jones, Danielle Erickson and Tatum Shane. Marjorie Mae Treger handles direction and choreography.

Actress Aileen Quinn, (Broadway's Annie, Peter Pan), is best known for starring as the title role of the orphan "Annie" in the 1982 film of the musical. She joins the production as "Lily St. Regis," a major departure from the role of the young, spunky red head.

The holiday show will also add new cast members Rena Strober (Fiddler on the Roof), Rodney Lizcano, Flynn Holman and Graham Northrup. "Sandy" is played by Aspen Mountain Rescue Dog Zoot Alors Benson. Designers are Tom Ward (Sets), Kevin Brainerd (Costumes), Loren Wilder (Lights) and David Thomas (Sound).

Theatre Aspen was awarded the "Outstanding Regional Theatre" Henry Award in 2009 and Alison Luff won a Best Supporting Actress Denver Post Ovation Award for her work in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Nominations for 2010 Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress were earned by Joan Hess (Same Time, Next Year) and Beth Malone (The Marvelous Wonderettes), respectively.

Tickets are available starting October 4th from the Wheeler Box Office at 970-920-5770 or through aspenshowtix.com. For further information, visit www.theatreaspen.org or call the theatre at 970-925-9313.

This presentation of Annie is generously supported by: American National Bank, The City of Aspen, The Aspen Club and Spa, KSNO/KUUR and the Schlosser Family.

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