ANNIE Set for Glendale Centre Theatre with Broadway Finalist Tonight, 5/17

The tale of Little Orphan Annie will come to life at the Glendale Centre Theatre in Glendale, CA for 30 performances, tonight, May 17 through June 30, 2012. Concurrent with Annie celebrating its 35th anniversary this year as America's most beloved musical, the Glendale Centre Theatre (GCT) also
celebrates its 65 th year as the oldest, continuously operating theatre in the United States.

With music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan, longtime San Fernando Valley resident, internet television and radio personality, live music producer/director and public relations veteran Michael Sterling, who first introduced musicals to the almost 400 seat, theatre-in-the-round over 30 years ago, returns to the GCT to direct Annie. Sterling is joined by GCT award-winning, resident musical director and Ovation Award nominee Steven Applegate; film/television/concert/theatre, video producer, and choreographer/dancer Jerry Evans; Assistant Choreographer Jackie Evans; Broadway costumer Angela Wood (Glendale Costumes); and GCT Producers Tim Dietlein and Brenda Dietlein. Nathan J. Milisavljevich (Sound Design), Caitlin Barbieri (Stage Manager) and Tim Dietlein (Set Design and Lighting Design), round out the creative team.

Eleven year old Santa Clarita Valley resident Emma Howard will star in the title role of Annie. At the time of her audition for the GCT, it was unbeknownst to the creative team that the talented youngster had recently returned from New York where, after auditioning over 5,000 hopefuls in an intense nationwide search led by Telsey + Company, Broadway's leading casting directors, Tony Award winning director James Lapine, and Tony Awardwinning Choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, Miss Howard was one of 7 finalists in contention to play the role of "Annie" in the upcoming 2012 Broadway fall revival of the world renowned musical.

GCT favorite Peter Husmann stars as Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks. Dynell Leigh co-stars as Miss Hannigan, along with Heather Dudenbostel as Grace Farrell, Clayton Ferris as Rooster Hannigan, Christa Hamilton as Lily St. Regis, Don Woodruff as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Robert Decker as Bert Healy, and Kyle D. Kelley as Drake. Asia Aragon (Pepper), Brooke Boyd (Kate), Bella Briscoe (Duffy), Leah Schraff (Molly), Lucy Taylor (July) and Kate West (Tessie) portray the orphans. Shannon Cooper, Laurie Fedor, Kevin Holmquist, Nick Mizrahi, Bridget Pugliese, Rebecca Thomas, Robert Thomas, Amy Lyn Thompson, and Paul Reid comprise the ensemble, with special guest
"Copper" (Thomas) appearing as "Sandy."

Performances of Annie at the Glendale Centre Theatre will be presenTed May 17 through June 30th, Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm with Saturday matinees at 3:00pm. Sunday Matinees will also be presented at 3:00 pm on May 27th and June 3rd only.

Tickets range in price between $22.00 and $28.00, pending the date and time of the performance. Select discount rates are available for seniors (62+) and children (under 14), and for groups of 15 or more. All shows feature open seating except on "Reserved Seating Fridays." All shows and prices are subject to change without notice.

Ticket purchases may be made online at www.glendalecentretheatre.com, or by calling
(818) 244-8481. Box Office hours are Monday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

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