The sun will come out tonight and tomorrow on the Benson stage as the Harding theatre department performs the fall 2011 musical, “Annie.”
Having been performed at Harding before in 1986, “Annie” will show at 8 p.m. on both days as part of the Homecoming festivities. Tickets cost $10, $12 or $15 based on seating and will be available in the Benson lobby an hour to show time.
Set in 1933 in New York City, the musical tells the story of spunky 11-year-old Annie, who lives at an orphanage under the care of the unscrupulous Miss Hannigan and who remains hopeful that her parents will come for her.
During the Christmas season Annie is invited to enjoy a two-week stay at the mansion of Oliver Warbucks, a billionaire who focuses on business rather than relationships. During her visit, Annie softens her host’s heart, and he eventually adopts her as his own.
Annie is being portrayed by Harding Academy eighth-grader Abbey Giboney, the daughter of Head Women’s Volleyball Coach Keith Giboney. “Annie” will be Abbey Giboney’s debut performance. Producer Cindee Stockstill said Giboney has brought a genuineness to her role and that she has been a dedicated worker throughout the process.
“Abbey herself is a wonderful young lady, very balanced, very spiritual, just good people skills,” Stockstill said. “She’s a great young lady, and that comes through in her interpretation of Annie.”
For most of the semester, the orphans, played by a mix of university and local grade-school students, rehearsed with children’s director Dottie Frye before the older cast members held rehearsal, and Giboney participated in both sessions. Giboney said she has really enjoyed getting to work with the younger cast members and college students as well as the experience of being in the production.
Giboney said she particularly likes the numbers “I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here” and “It’s the Hard-Knock Life” and learning the choreography. In addition, she likes the kindness of her character.
“[Annie] kind of had a hard life at first, but then when she was good to everyone everything kind of worked out for her,” Giboney said. “So I guess that’s kind of how I picture real life is, but it doesn’t always work that way.”
While this story is primarily about Annie, it also charts the transformation of Mr. Warbucks. This dynamic role has challenged junior music major Benji Holder, whose previous roles include Lefou in “Beauty and the Beast” and Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof,” which were performed prior to his time at Harding.
At the beginning, career-driven Mr. Warbucks is “commander-esque” in the way he barks out orders and pushes people away, Holder said. However, Mr. Warbucks’ demeanor changes dramatically throughout the musical.
“The transformation comes when he meets Annie, this little girl who just kind of warms his heart and makes him realize what it’s like to love someone,” Holder said. “I go from this really loner kind of a guy to this guy that falls in love with [Annie], wants to have this little girl as his daughter, wants a family.”
Other principal cast members include graduate student Mary McBride as Miss Hannigan and senior Morgan Tunnell as Grace, Mr. Warbucks’ secretary.
“Annie” has also challenged the ensemble and set crew, Stockstill said. The members of the ensemble have to portray two or more roles, and the show consists of multiple scene changes, including the orphanage, Warbucks mansion and FDR’s cabinet room, all of which must have their own look.
Senior Jonathan Aders, who has been involved in almost every part of the set, said one of the most difficult parts of the set has been constructing the revolves, or rotating platforms, and that he looks forward to seeing the show.
“I’m excited to see how all the revolves factor into the set,” Aders said. “I’m excited to see the orphanage scene with the bunk beds. They climb up and down the bunk beds and throw pillows from the top bunks.”
