Theatre By The Sea Presents ANNIE, Now thru 8/10

"Leapin' Lizards!" ANNIE, one of the best-loved family musicals of all time, takes the stage at Theatre by the Sea (TBTS) from tonight, July 17, through Saturday, August 10. Press night is scheduled for Friday, July 19 at 8pm.

"I feel it is very important for children to receive exposure to the arts. This is why it is so important for us to produce a big family show each year," said Bill Hanney, TBTS's owner and producer. " Annie will be a chance for all generations to spend time together at the theatre. Not only does this time help strengthen the family bond; it helps to nurture a love of live theatre in the youngest of audience members. Knowing that these children will grow up to be avid theatergoers assures me that the sun will truly come out tomorrow!"

Inspired by the famous comic strip Little Orphan Annie which first ran in the New York News in 1924, ANNIE made its Broadway debut in April 1977 and played 2,377 performances before closing in 1983. The show won seven Tony Awards, including for Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan), Best Original Score (music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin), and Best Choreography. This heart-warming musical is the rags-to-riches story of plucky young Annie's journey from the hard-knock New York orphanage to the luxurious home of billionaire businessman Oliver WarbuckS. Boasting one of Broadway's most memorable scores, including "It's the Hard Knock Life," "Easy Street" and the legendary "Tomorrow," fantastically visual choreography, a side-splittingly funny script and, of course, the adorable dog Sandy, it really is no surprise thatANNIE has become one of the best-loved family musicals of all time.

ANNIE will star Raquel Leifer as Annie. The evil Miss Hannigan will be played by Broadway veteran Jan Neuberger. The cast will also feature Todd Fenstermaker(Oliver Warbucks), Becca Gottlieb (Lily St. Regis), Tom Roberts (F.D.R.), Margaret Robinson (Grace Farrell), Nathaniel Shaw (Rooster Hannigan), and Macy as Sandy.

Annie's orphan friends will be played by Jillian Leifer (Molly), Lilly McMahon of Warwick, RI (Kate), Jennifer Pamula of Exeter, RI (Duffy), Nina Pezzello (Pepper),Emma Senerchia of Warwick, RI(July) and Eva Senerchia or Warwick, RI (Tessie). Taylor Rose Donovan and Brigid Fitzgerald (of Kingston, RI) will understudy the child roles.

The ANNIE ensemble will feature Schyler Beeman, Joshua Christensen, Michelle Geosits, Michael John Lewis, Greg London, Dennis Keohane, Birdie Newman Katz, Arnie Rodriguez, Joshua Skurnik, Rayna Starr, Victoria Weinberg, and Ellen Laura White.

ANNIE will be directed and choreographed by Richard Sabellico, who directed Annie at Theatre By The Sea in 1983, and played Rooster during the shows original run on Broadway. The creative team also includes Nick DeGregorio (Musical Director), Bert Scott (Scenic Designer), David Costa-Cabral (Costume Designer), Eileen Smitheimer(Lighting/Sound Designer), Michael Dates (Wig Designer), William Berloni (Animal Trainer), Patrick Egan (Production Stage Manager) and Jamie Hansen (Assistant Stage Manager).

ANNIE runs today, July 17 - August 10. Performances are Tuesdays through Sundays. Show times are: Tuesday - Friday 8:00pm; Thursday 2:00pm; Saturday 4:00pm and 8:00pm; Sunday 3:00pm (first week only), 5:00pm, and 8:00pm (first week only). Tickets are $39, $49, & $59. Tickets are on sale now by calling (401) 782-8587, online at theatrebythesea.com, or in person at 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. The 2013 Season is sponsored by WJAR - NBC 10 News.

Theatre by the Sea will conclude the 80th Anniversary 2013 Season with LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (August 14 - September 1).

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