Adventures in Annie

Annie Final Rehearsal - I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here

2010-02-11T12:21:00.000-08:00

Annie Final rehearsal - Tomorrow

2010-02-11T12:12:00.000-08:00

Annie Final Dress Rehearsal - Hard Knock Life

2010-02-11T11:43:00.000-08:00

Annie Final Dress Rehearsal - Maybe

2010-02-11T11:25:00.000-08:00

Love the comment from a stray orphan about "having the dog" - sigh...love the backstage.

Opening Night is Here

2010-02-11T11:14:00.000-08:00

Whew! We made it. Tonight is opening night. I haven't been able to blog because I've either been at work or at the theatre.

The backdrops arrived two days ago and look great! The pre-recorded music is working - the rehearsal CDs didn't make it when the machine did, so I had to quickly scramble and call the MT pit to have them overnight the CDs so the actors could rehearse at home as well as downstairs in the theatre while other parts of the rehearsal process were being taken care of upstairs.

I'm so thankful for everyone who stepped in to help make this production look and sound GREAT!! As with all shows, the scene changes took some time to be choreographed, especially my request to have a staircase for Annie to come running down in her red dress and wig. She looks SO CUTE in her traditional Annie outfit.

We also added some pillars to the Warbucks scenes to help balance out the stage - they look good and definitely add to the grandeur of Warbucks Mansion.

The costumes look fabulous, I'm so amazed at Amy, she really did such a wonderful job at costuming over 60 actors.

I could use a couple more mics for the show - we have 11 and I'm adding one more tonight. We had a couple of missed cues last night because of the lack of enough mics and having to swap them out with the various actors, but that will get fixed to night.

The lights look great, I saw one small problem last night with the lights going dark before NYC was completely over and the lights coming up in the followiong scene - but we got that fixed as well.

I'm so proud of everyone and I can't them them enough.

The Music's Here!!!!

2010-02-02T14:44:00.001-08:00

Yay!!!!! Off to rehearsal to see what it sounds like : D

Still No Music

2010-02-02T06:41:00.001-08:00

Grrrr.... we paid extra to have the MT PIT music machine delivered for yesterday, & it sat at the FedEx dest sort facility since 3:16am. We have an est. delivery of by 4:30pm today. At least we had our rehearsal pianist yesterday to fix/clean up some songs. Tonight we'll focus on Act II music.

Most of the orphans have orphan looking shoes. Props are being gathered - can't wait to see the vintage wheelchair on stage again.

Annie "Together at Last"

2010-02-01T11:03:00.000-08:00

Annie "Cabinet Tomorrow"

2010-02-01T10:54:00.000-08:00

The guys and gals - are having a lot of fun with this number : D

Annie - "Tomorrow"

2010-02-01T10:36:00.001-08:00

Here's Ali rehearsing "Tomorrow" with Honey as Sandy. Sandy lost his rope, and decided to go in a different direction. Ali's such a pro, she continues on no matter what. She even kept going the other day when Honey got sick and left part of a rawhide on stage during the song. Poor Doggie.

2010-02-01T09:18:00.000-08:00

Weekend Rehearsal

2010-02-01T08:57:00.000-08:00

We ran through Act II on Friday Act I on Saturday and the full show on Sunday. Cleaned up some messy blocking, worked on songs & dances some more - cleaning them up, making sure everyone is hitting their notes and picking their feet up when dancing. Its starting to come together. we also had a new pianist this weekend. I'm so thankful for everyone who's stepping in and taking a part of the show - that's what makes community theatre so wonderful!

A color ad ran in Sunday's paper - haven't seen it yet. My fabulous mom & brother picked up a copy for me.

Music is supposed to arrive today. I'm anxiously awaiting its arrival. We're supposed to rehearse Act I music tonight with the recorded music.

The Mom of Pepper red has been taking rehearsal photos - they look wonderful!!! I can't wait to share some of them here.

Annie Article in Local Newspaper and Online

2010-01-29T07:48:00.000-08:00

Annie PR has started!!! The article for which I was interviewed for earlier in the week has been published online and in the local newspaper. Annie even made it to the front page!!!! All photos by Reeves Photography.

A musical message of hopeGreater Grand Forks Community Theatre brings ‘Annie’ to stage

By: Paulette Tobin, Grand Forks Herald

Want to hear a couple of quick choruses of the beleaguered orphans from “Annie” singing “It’s a Hard Knock Life”? Just call Mary Lizakowski’s cell phone. It’s been her ring-back tone for the past two years.

“I’m an ‘Annie’ fan. I love that show,” said Lizakowski, who is directing the Greater Grand Forks Community Theatre’s “Annie,” which opens Thursday. “I love the whole history of the show, going back to the cartoon days.”

“Annie,” a story of hope triumphing over adversity, began as the Harold Gray “Little Orphan Annie” comic strip in 1924. His young heroine, with her curly red hair, signature red dress and fondness for regularly exclaiming “Leapin’ Lizards!,” came to Broadway as a musical in 1977 with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin and the book by Thomas Meehan.
In 1982, it became a musical film starring Carol Burnett, Albert Finney and Aileen Quinn, forever immortalizing Annie’s trademark anthem, “Tomorrow” and her furry co-star, a mutt named Sandy.

Community theater’s “Annie” will feature 10-year-old Ali Nicolai, a student at East Grand Forks Sacred Heart School, as the spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents.
Annie is living in an orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan (Michelle McCauley). In one adventure after another, Annie foils the plots of Miss Hannigan, her no-good brother, Rooster Hannigan (Chris Berg) and his floozy girlfriend, Lily St. Regis (Marjorie Morris) and finds a new home with billionaire Daddy Warbucks (Jon Jackson) and his personal secretary Grace Farrell (Amanda Hill).

The show will run at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Feb. 13 and Feb. 18-20, with 2 p.m. Sunday matinees on Feb. 14 and 21, all in the Empire Arts Center. Reservations are available ($15, $12 and $10) in UND’s Chester Fritz Auditorium box office or by calling (701) 777-4090.
With such a large cast (more than 75 children and adults), organizing a rehearsal schedule
wasn’t easy. The ordered scripts didn’t arrive until three weeks ago.

But Lizakowski said they’re the latest touring version of the show and feature a lot more stage time for the orphans, more humor and a new song for Daddy Warbucks. Working with the cast has been great, she said.

“We have a top-notch cast of orphans,” she said. “They’re really excited, they learn quickly and they take direction very well. And I’m very excited for Annie, which is Ali (Nicolai), because she’s a triple threat, she does it all, sings, dances and acts, which is great.”

Ali had her blond hair dyed red to play Annie. She’s been performing on stage for four years and has had parts in community theater’s “Schoolhouse Rock” and “Alice in Wonderland,” and in “South Pacific” at UND Burtness Theatre.

Mare Thompson is assistant director with Jenny Morris as choreographer, Jeff Kinney as technical director, Amy Sanner as head costumer and Carly Flaagan and McKenzie Netz as student directors.

The cast
The cast includes Abby Anderson, Chris Berg, Ava Birkholz, Doug Chavis, Noah Cline, Seth Cline, Taylor Corbit, Emma Dodds, Roger Dykstra, Jaxon Flermoen, Jetiah Flermoen, Ruben Flores, Amber Fuller, Katie Gabik, Rod Gillund, Tacy Gillund, Lucy Glessner, Sophie Glessner, Kenneth Granle, Lily Grossbauer, Sarah Grossbauer, Amanda Hill, Maia Jackson, Jon Jackson, McKinley Kartes, Kathy King, Jared Kinney, Kelly King, Shealyn Klave, Madeline Kleven, Ali Kvidt, Michaela Lee, Naomi Lee, Victoria Lee, Bailey Mankie, Michelle McCauley, Lauren McCreary, Ivy McGurran, Kathleen Mohr, Haleigh Mooney, Marjorie Morris, McKenzie Netz, Ali Nicolai, Nicole Rothenberger, Kathryn Rutz, Lauren Sanner, Rebecca Sanner, Tessa Sanner, Sydney Skaro, Francie Shaft, Taylor Stauss, Elise Stayman, Hannah Syberson, Lizzy Syverson, Claire Thompson, Sophie Welsh, Nichole Wilson, Taylor Wilson and Juliet Wolfe.

The role of Sandy, Annie’s lovable mutt, will be played by two real-life mutts, Lizakowski said: Honey, who became part of Ali Nicolai’s family after they rescued it from a ditch, and Buddy, a dog Lizakowski adopted from the humane society.

When Lizakowski isn’t directing “Annie,” she works in the learning and organizational development department for Altru Health System, is a sideline photographer for UND football games and technical director for the Fighting Sioux Sports Network broadcasts. Even if she wasn’t a lifelong fan of “Annie,” she said, she’d have faith that this show will be a hit for community theater.

“Kids and dogs, you can’t go wrong,” she said.

Music Problem Solved

2010-01-29T07:45:00.000-08:00

Last night we decided to go with The MT Pit for canned music. A live pit would've been great, but at this point, this is the best solution. Ben is ordering it today and should arrive by Monday - hopefully in time to have music rehearsal that night. I was also sent a cue sheet for the music by our Rooster and it looks like it should be very easy to run. The actor will have to adjust, but that should be ok.

We Open In TWO Weeks!!!!

2010-01-28T12:15:00.000-08:00

Two weeks from tonight Annie will open at the Empire. Everything is looking good - except for the music. Still no solid pit or conductor - BUT I was given a website to look at: http://www.themtpit.com/

I called and spoke with Elizabeth from MT Pit. She was very kind. I asked if it would be feasible for us to even use their services two weeks from opening. We can, provided we use the canned music they have and not make changes to it - they even have the current version of the tour script which includes Warbuck's song "Why Should I Change A Thing?"

Jeff has organized a meeting tonight to discuss our music options. We'll see what comes of it.

200 and counting

2010-01-27T07:13:00.000-08:00

Was told that as of yesterday, we've sold 200 tickets for the show so far. Not bad since publicity hasn't really started and we are a little over two weeks from opening.

Interview, Buddy on Stage, FDR & Drake

2010-01-27T06:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had a 25 minute phone interview with Paulette Tobin from the Herald. I hope she can use something from my ramblings and could make sense from what I was saying - I could talk for hours about the show.

I'm so proud of Buddy right now!! I think we finally found a way for him to be comfortable with Annie on stage. Right now I'm pretending to be a homeless person asleep next to the trash can on stage. We ran through Act I Scene 2 a couple of times that way and he didn't want to stray from Annie so much that way. I took some peeks when Annie was belting out her Tomorrow and Buddy was right with her facing the aundience for a good portion. We'll see how it looks when we get to the Empire. I may also throw myself into Hooverville to make sure he behaves himself since the tour version puts Annie into the scene much earlier and includes her in the Hooverville song.

We have our FDR!!!!! We blocked Act II Scene 3(actually re-blocked with the new actors) I'm loving our FDR - I knew he'd do a great job when he auditioned. So glad he reconsidered - it adds so much to that scene. My men in that scene also belted out "Tomorrow" for the very first time - EVER. Acapella. They sounded so good. I was told that the orphans in the other part of the theatre just stopped with an amazed look on their faces and gave a listen to the guys. The ending needs help, but that'll get fixed on Thursday. I just loved hearing tomorrow with those lower voices.

We also have a Drake!!!! Thank you Jared!!! Can't wait to see how he interprets the role. Jared's so talented and has great instincts. We haven't worked on a show together since 2002 when we did West Side Story at Frost Fire. Yay!!!!

Fully Dressed Children

2010-01-26T14:10:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of pics and videos of the Red & Blue Orphan teams rehearsing the "Fully Dressed" Number

ACT I, The Red Wig, Music Woes

2010-01-23T08:18:00.000-08:00

We ran all of Act I last night with the exception of the last scene because "You Won't Be An Orphan For Long" hasn't been choreographed yet. It went very well for a first run through. We stopped between scenes to block new actors into their spots. I now have a Lt. Ward!!! I'm so excited - he's a grandpa of one of the orphan chorus girls and stepped right last night for the first time.

The "Storm" isn't as bad as I expected it to be at this time, so we are having rehearsal today. I'll play it by ear and see what happens throughout the day. The roads a slushy and the slush is getting compacted and freezing in places, but people are out and about.

Annie's curly wig arrived yesterday - we'll try it on today and see how it fits. I'm pleased with the color, it matches her dye job quite well. I wonder what it will look like under the stage lights.

I got confirmation that the backdrops are ordered for sure and have a guaranteed date of February 10th. - One day before our opening.

As for music, that's the only problem area right now. Legally, there is no canned music available to use for performances, the orchestra machine MTI has is $3,000.00 and pit musicians are at a premium right now. We are looking at another posibility of having a pit come in and record the show - I'd like to have them live - sigh....

Actor Cheat Sheets

2010-01-20T11:52:00.001-08:00

I just sent an e-mail to my original choice for FDR asking him to reconsider - I sure hope he does! I also have a potential lead on a Drake - hope he says yes as well!!

I started Actor Cheat Sheets for them last night listing each actor and the scenes they are in and the costumes they need for each scene. I know I'm at least halfway through that list. I plan to hand those out this weekend.

Gotta go and put out more rehearsal schedules. That music better arrive soon!!

Panic is Setting In!

2010-01-19T11:36:00.001-08:00

I have a huge list of things to do for the show plus continue to create rehearsal time schedules - and now a snow storm might hit the area this weekend - yikes!!! We still have dances to choreograph.

Last night I sent out a mass e-mail looking for older men to be in the show. I also received a call from a fellow actor/director to see if he could do FDR. He declined. And I completely understand because he has another huge commitment during the first week of our run and he would be spreading himself too thin. So now I am going to call the gentleman I originally cast (he declined FDR because he wanted Daddy Warbucks) and I'm going to ask him to reconsider. I don't think he realizes how much fun that role can be - and he'd get to sing Tomorrow!!!! What could be better?!

Props, Drops and Where Can I Find FDR?

2010-01-18T08:32:00.000-08:00

Tons of stuff has happened since the last entry. A few people cast have chosen to leave the show. We still need an FDR, Two Policemen, Two Dogcatchers and a Drake - where are all those tall handsome men??!!!??? I have a call in to someone to see if he'll accept FDR - should know by end of day. We spent the last two weekends blocking and choreographing. I now have the show 99.9% blocked - and then of course we'll have to fit in the guys when the empty roles are cast. I met with our Bert Healy last night and gave him his blocking - so we've got that covered.

I also went through the light plot, sound plot and fly cues with Jeff - so we have those in place. Jenny just needs to get her light cues for NYC in to him. The Empire doesn't have a fly loft, but we can utilize a traveler system over there for the backdrops. Jeff has been wonderful making calls to a couple of backdrop rental places. One rental establishment - Backdrops Beautiful, have a lot of wonderful, rich looking drops - the colors just pop when viewed online. We're trying to rent three from Backdrops Beautiful - a Back Alley, an NYC drop with theatre signs and a Warbucks Mansion with drapes. They said they would match competitors prices with a quote from the competitor. I'm hoping and praying we can get the three drops we want for $1500.00.

We have a couple of property mistresses pulling props for the show.

Amy has been pulling and building costumes - they are looking great!! The Hooverville folks have some wonderful coats - I'm loving the orange coat one of the ladies is wearing, I'll have to get a photo of her in it, she's so homeless looking - perfect!!

It looks like we may not have a pit, but use canned music for the show. The music has been ordered, so just waiting for that to be delivered to give a listen to.

Publicity photos are online to view the proofs at http://www.reevesphotography.com

I have a couple of student directors helping take notes, read lines and I think I'm going to have them type out the scenes and which actor is needed in each scene and what costume each actor is wearing in their scene. That would take some pressure off.

I'm meeting with Jenny tonight to try and finalize the rest of the rehearsal schedule and find time to finish the choreography. We'll also need time to go through the canned music with the actors once they have learned their songs.

Annie Costume Fitting and Publicity Photos

2010-01-08T12:50:00.000-08:00

Tuesday we had a costume fitting for Annie to make sure her red dress will fit nicely for the publicity photos that are being taken this evening. She also tried on the other costumes that were ready at the time. Annie looks so cute with her little brother in matching pinstripes! Oh yeah!! Can't forget - she had her hair cut and dyed Saturday, as you can see in the pics.

Scripts Have Arrived!

2010-01-08T12:46:00.000-08:00

YAY!!! The scripts finally arrived this week - now we can really get down to business. Found out they are the current tour scripts and not the original Broadway. I'm so excited because there are more comedic elements added to the show. We've also secured a pianist and a pit conductor. Jeff is working on set pieces and is also finding a way to try and utilize more than one backdrop. The priciple orphan teams have been working in their Fully Dressed number. I can't wait to see how it looks as I didn't attend dance rehearsal last night.

You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile - for reference purposes only

2009-12-23T15:08:00.000-08:00

First Annie and Principle Orphan Rehearsal

2009-12-23T08:23:00.001-08:00

Last night we had our first rehearsal with Annie and the two teams of principle orphans - it was SO MUCH FUN! We discussed my vision for the show, went through some 1930s slang so that when the girls ad lib on stage they don't let contemporary slang creep into their character's language, I also had them work on their character's background when I gave them a break. They came up with some very tragic and gruesome ends to their character's parents! Molly's mama ends up dying from hypothermia after she fell off the ferry into the frigid water! Oh My! I'll try and add more orphan stories as the rehearsal process continues.

We bocked and ran through Act I Scene 1 through the song "Maybe". It's a pleasure to see the two teams of orphans watch and learn from each other as they go through the dialog. I can't wait until we have their beds so that they can play off of those. Getting up and down from the floor just doesn't quite make the picture right - but they're so good going with what we have right now.

Sandy Rehearsals

2009-12-22T08:05:00.000-08:00

Sandy rehearsals have been going well - the dogs are slowly learning what they need to do when Annie tells them to. We had Lt. Ward a couple of nights to start rehearsing the scene as well. Last night was a night for the dogs. Buddy & Honey each had a half hour session where we just walked them through their paces. They're so cute, each one has a strong point and their weak moments too(a little bit of doggie ADHD going on), but I have no doubt they'll be ready by opening night. I think next time we have Sandy reharsals we'll work for an hour with each dog. Right now Honey has a strong entrance going to Annie, but lying down for her is a challenge, the same with Buddy. Once we've got them lying down, both will stay as long as Annie keeps giving them attention. Last night Buddy did well staying down and going on his cue to go to Annie when she called him Sandy - he seems to want to stop two paces before he gets to her, so we'll have to work on that. Last night Honey wanted to go into the house when called Sandy, poor thing had had enough of rehearsal. Last time it was Buddy who was a little hyper.

Still no scripts and I've been told we might push back opening night one week just so we can have the Empire space for tech week and performances. The way it was set up before, we would have one day in the Empre before opening night - not good.

Tonight: First rehearsal with Annie and the Principle Orphans. We'll go over the rules for rehearsals, my vision for the show, who their characters are, some slang from the 1930s for them to use when they ad lib and we'll start blocking Act I Scene I. Then the last half-hour they'll be fitted for their costumes. I'm so excited!

Props & Set Pieces List

2009-12-05T21:24:00.001-08:00

Met with Jeff last night to go over the props & set pieces lists. We spent two hours talking - mostly reminicsing about past years productions and the various people who've performed and worked at the Firehall. It looks like we only need to build just a few set pieces - so I'm feeling pretty good about that area. I also sent Ben my wish list for the pit - wonder how much I'm pushing the budget for music.

First Rehearsal

2009-12-04T11:49:00.000-08:00

First rehearsal last night consisted of a quick meet & greet between Annie & Sandy. We Blocked Act I Scene 2 and ran through it a couple of times. Sandy didn't want to go to Annie. With me being his owner/trainer, he wanted to hang out with me. He did do well on his stays though. Next time we're bringing treats since he's very motivated by food.

Also got word that we have the rights secured to do the show - yay!!! Still no scripts.

Meeting with Jeff tonight to go over Props & Set Lists.

Annie Cast List Posted Today

2009-11-30T08:49:00.000-08:00

Last night we had callbacks for Rooster and Lily and now have most of the characters in the show filled. We still have a few TBAs, but I'm not too worried about those. The cast is being posted today and now all I have to do is wait for confirmations to come in. All confirmations have to be in by Wednesday, December 2nd.

Last night was fun seeing a rough performance of the Easy Street scene - over and over again. I can't wait for rehearsals to start so we can really flesh out those characters.

Second Night of Auditions

2009-11-27T14:12:00.001-08:00

On Tuesday we held the second night of auditions. About 20 kids showed up that night and a good number of adults. We will be calling back a few adults on Sunday afternoon and hopefully we'll have the cast list fleshed out completely. We're posting it on Monday the 30th! I don't want to get into specifics since the list isn't finalized or made public yet, but I'm very excited about the caliber of talent we have.

Auditions - Day 1

2009-11-24T07:58:00.000-08:00

Wow! One day of auditions are now completed. What a great turnout for the kids auditions, we saw 31 local children and expect the numbers to be high again tonight. I would like to see more adults though, especially the guys - male actors, where are you??!!??

Most of the kids had prepared songs - all had to sing Happy Birthday. I had them sing the song in a style opposite of what there first song was, to see if they could take direction and could perform different emotions. I loved hearing Maybe and Tomorrow performed quite a few times. I also had an auditioner perform Johnny One Note. I don't think she had any idea that Andrea McArdle had auditioned for Annie with that song, but it gave me a nice touch of nostalgia. After all had sung, we had them do a movement audition. I'm loving my choreographer, Jenny Morris. She's got a firm grasp of the style of the show, knows the style of the 1930s and I can't wait to see her dances. She' also a huge fan of the show.

I'm excited for tonight's auditions. Sing for me!

First Meeting

2009-11-19T12:35:00.000-08:00

Whew! I met with Jeff, Ben and Mare on Tuesday to go through some ideas and have my questions answered. Things have changed since the last time I was involved in any Firehall production - for the better. I'm so glad I have people to help out with this production. It's going to be GREAT! I can't wait to have auditions and have the show cast. I want to be so organized so I don't drive myself crazy come the week we go into the Empire. Wish we had the scripts, but I'll just have to be patient and wait.

One thing we decided is we are going to have one Annie and double cast the orphans and the rest of the children. We're also going to involve the kids who aren't cast as orphans in the Hooverville, NYC and New Deal for Christmas scenes so they will have an opportunity to shine as well. It'll also be great for them to perform with seasoned adults so the kids can learn from them.

Well, now to break down the character list and be prepared for the auditions Monday & Tuesday.

Jumpin' Grasshoppers!

2009-11-17T08:14:00.000-08:00

I'm directing "Annie the Musical"! This will be the place for me to express ideas, thoughts, activities and keep track of the progress on this wonderful new journey I've begun.

Tonight a meeting with Jeff & Ben to discuss auditions, set design and dozens of ideas and questions floating through my head at this time.

Here's a list of questions so far:

1. Orphan Cast - should I have two teams of the principle orphans, an Annie understudy & two swings, or just one cast of the main orphans - all of these include masses of orphan extras to give as many kids as possible the exposure to the wonderful world of theatre

2. Can I include these questions on the audition sheet:

Are you willing to shave your head (for Warbucks)

Are you willing to cur & dye your hair (for Annie)

3. When do we have Sandy auditions? Can we involve the humane society to provide walk -on roles for dogs up for adoption in the dogcatcher scene?

4. Will the principles have mics?

5. Musical director at the auditions?

6. No fly-loft in our venue. Can have one backdrop. How about wagons? Grand Staircase - do we have a budget for it?

7. Scripts - are they in? Have we secured the rights?

8. Tech week - when do we get to move into the Empire?

9. Collection Display?

10. When should the cast list go up?

11. When should 1st rehearsal start?

12. Do I need to include behavior guidelines when handing out the audition forms?

13. Suggest "Annie Warbucks" for next year

14. Casting myself into the show?

15. Start a contact list of the creative team

16. Who will do marketing, media, publicity, promos, fundraising?

This is just a start - many more to come.