Daniel Murray

The Village Players of Birmingham continue with their 2016-2017 season as they perform Jerry Herman's musical comedy, MAME.

Now on stage at The Farmington Players Community Theatre is the beloved Broadway musical 'Annie,' the feel-good Christmas season story featuring irresistible little starlets; these adorable kids sing and dance their hearts out, exuding tons of charm and pure innocence. Everybody's favorite orphan, Annie (played spectacularly by Maryanna Lauter) and her gang of radiant ragamuffins spread their message of cheer and hope to a country bogged down in a quagmire of economic depression.

Inspired by the original work choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky and performed to the glorious music composed by Igor Stravinsky for the original Ballets Russes production, Nashville Ballet's rendition of Rite of Spring further underscores the company's artistic range and the depth of artistic director Paul Vasterling's bench, which is exemplified by Kayla Rowser and Jon Upleger in his thrilling, stirring Firebird that opens the evening's twin-bill of ballets.