ANNIE JR. Plays Dickson's Renaissance Players 3/11-3/20

The Renaissance Center in Dickson presents a unique production of Annie, Jr., a Broadway Junior version of one of the most beloved musicals of all time, running March 11-20.

The Young Entertainers on Stage (Y.E.S.) production is adapted for young performers and is cast entirely with kids from first through 12th grades. The seven-time Tony Award winning musical boasts a hit score that includes "It's A Hard Knock Life," "You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile," "Easy Street" and the song used to cheer up children of all generations, "Tomorrow."

As with the original adult version, Annie, Jr. is based upon the Harold Gray/Tribune Media Service comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Chamin and book by Thomas Meehan. The original Broadway production (starring Andrea McArdle in the title role)opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years, setting a record for the Alvin Theatre. A revival of the musical is planned for next season on Broadway.

Like many Renaissance Players Theatre productions, Annie, Jr. is a family affair with many siblings in the cast, including: Ashton and Kedzie Frey; Dylan and Kaylee Hodges; Abigail and Hannah Ratliff; Gabby and Summer Kapanka; Adam, Arianna and Kaila Wooten; Claudia, Madeline and Savannah Bennett; and Jaxon, Kyra and M'Kenzy Cannon.

The cast also includes the 2010 Jimmy Award Winner for Best Young Actor, Tate Blunt, from Fairview. Winner of The Renaissance Players Community Theatre award for his performance in The Homecoming. Tate has also appeared in the adult version of Annie (as Bert Healy), Honk! and Miracle on 34th Street.

Annie, Jr. is directed by Bryan J. Wlas, who has been involved with the Renaissance Center's Theatre Department since 2005. He has directed several shows here, including Once Upon a Mattress, The Homecoming, Night of the Living Dead and a previous production of Annie Jr. Bryan has choreographed and performed in more than 25 productions for the Theatre Department and is currently in the production of Breaking Up is Hard to Do in the Gaslight Dinner Theatre.

The Musical Director for Annie, Jr. is Nathan W. Brown, who has worked on more than 30 productions, including Anything Goes, A Chorus Line, Cats, Oklahoma!, Annie, The Music Man, Children of Eden, Smoke on the Mountain and Once Upon a Mattress. Nathan is also currently performing in Breaking Up is Hard to Do in the Gaslight Dinner Theatre.

Annie Jr. is a musical licensed by Musical Theatre International's Broadway Kids, specially edited to be performed by youngsters in a shortened version. It is performed internationally every year by acting academies, theatre programs, schools and camps. MTI's Broadway Junior Collection includes some of Broadway's best-loved musicals which have been adapted for young performers-abridged to 60-80 minutes, with music transposed into keys appropriate for young voices.

The Young Entertainers on Stage (Y.E.S.) program is a community theatre production that features plays selected specifically for and cast totally with students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. From the audition process through rehearsals to the culminating performances, the students work with the professional directors, technicians and actors at The Renaissance Center to present a production that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

The Renaissance Players is the center's community theatre troupe. With more than 400 members, The Players present productions each year that include popular musicals and plays. Shows are cast through open auditions and performances are presented in the center's 450-seat Performance Hall.

Performances are March 11-20. Friday & Saturday evening performances are at 7 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 fo adults, $12 for seniors, $8 for children. Call (615) 740-5500 or toll-free (888) 700-2300 for reservations. Visit www.rcenter.org for more information.