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Attendance at an all-time high!
One day, two performances and more than 600 people were there to watch. “This was the biggest audience ever,” Jodi Darrohn, Director of Adult Recreation Services, said.
“Annie Jr.” was the eighth annual production performed by CLI’s Adult Recreation Services Drama Club. It was presented May 4 at St. Charles West High School. There was a cast of 30 and Bailey, a dog.
This was the first time using a real animal. “I felt it was important to have a real dog for the job since this was not a cartoon play,” Jodi said. “The cast loved having Bailey and she did a good job.”
Being in the audience one could witness the fun the cast of “Annie Jr.” was having on stage. At the cast party, held at St. Louis Life in Winghaven, the overall response to being in the play was “a lot of fun.”
“It’s a lot of fun,” Nancy Jo Danis, apple seller, servant and New Yorker, said. “It makes you happy to be up on stage with all your friends.”
It’s not about getting the lead part for some; it’s more about showing off their passion. “It’s so much fun to perform on stage,” Susie Stufflebam, orphan Susie, said. “I love to sing and dance, it’s my hobby. Plus, I like improvising to keep the audience entertained.”
The first weekend in May was a busy weekend for Megan Layton. Her birthday was May 3 and she was the lead in "Annie Jr." And, on top of all that she had laryngitis! “People were calling me on my birthday and I was trying to save my voice,” she said. “But, I persevered.” Persevere she did. “She came to every practice, sometimes coughing, but she showed up,” Jodi said. “There was never a doubt that Megan would not play Annie.”
This was not Megan’s first lead, she was Belle in “Beauty and the Beast” and Sandy in “Grease.” However, Megan excelled at playing Annie. “She read two lines and she had me and the other crew in tears,” Jodi said. “We knew the role fit Megan really well.” The next step was to have her test with Jonathon Weston who was auditioning for Oliver Warbucks. “We wanted to see if the chemistry was there between Jonathon and Megan,” Jodi said. The chemistry was there. “He was so calm, cool and collected,” Megan said.
“Jodi said to act emotional and to really push the emotion out,” Megan said. “I like to act, but sometimes getting the emotion out is difficult, maybe it was because I wasn’t feeling well.” Or, maybe it is because she practiced daily, mainly on her own, but sometimes with help. She practiced the same way the play was set. “When I had lines in the orphanage I would practice in my bedroom, it became the orphanage,” Megan said. “When I was in the park or on the streets of New York I would go outside.”
For Alex Bauschard, who played Rooster, this was not his first villain role. He played Jafar in “Aladdin.” “Rooster was a fun part,” he said. “There wasn’t any prep needed, I just felt it. I was trying to think how Tim Curry (Rooster in the 1981 film “Annie”) would do it and then add a little of myself to the role.”
The part of Miss Hannigan came easy to Tiffanie Ford. “My dad was an Army drill sergeant, so I kept this in mind when playing my part,” she said. “The yelling and screaming came naturally for me.”
Both Alex and Tiffanie agree that part of getting into character is what’s going on in their mind. “We can let the anger out,” Alex said. “We can release our anger and frustrations on stage,” Tiffanie said.
Tiffanie wasn’t expecting her part to be liked by the crowd. “After the play a little girl came up to me and hugged me,” she said. “It took me by surprise, but it also warmed my heart.”
Some individuals continue to come back year after year, some take breaks from year to year, but as long as they come to audition, the play will go on. “I get to see them evolve from day one,” Jodi said. “There are changes every week as they take on their role.”
The complete cast of “Annie Jr.” included: Darrell Barkey, servant; Alex Bauschard, Rooster; Christopher Bazzell, Lt. Ward; Elizabeth Bennett, Tessie; Leonard Bollinger, Bert Healy, chauffeur and New Yorker; Bertha Bote, servant; Donna Clamors, July; Nancy Jo Danis, apple seller, servant and New Yorker; Kristen Eck, Lily; Tiffanie Ford, Miss Hannigan; Rebecca Franzen, star-to-be and orphan; Kim Freeman, Molly; Jessica Griffith, servant; Karen Guth, Mrs. Greer; Michael Kullman, Drake; Leah Lauer, Cecille; Megan Layton, Annie; Nathan Love, Mr. Bundles, Louis Howe, servant and New Yorker; Elizabeth Marfisi, Pepper; Julie McNames, usherette and servant; Stevie Schowengerdt, Duffy; Bonnie Shocklin, Kate; Susan Stufflebam, Susie; Chris Trulaske, soundman, servant and New Yorker; Paul Volker, President Roosevelt, announcer and New Yorker; Zack Warner, dog catcher and servant; Amy Watkins, Annette; Aimee Weatherford, Grace Farrell; Jonathon Weston, Oliver Warbucks; and Donna Wolf, Mrs. Pugh.
Stephen Kosmowski was cast to play Drake; however, he was sick the night of the show. “Practice was fun,” he said. “I love doing CLI activities.”
The performance was possible because of the hard work and dedication of the cast and crew. The crew included: Jodi Darrohn, Director; Diana Regino, Assistant Director, St. Charles West Players, Lighting and Sound; Maureen Layton, Diane Weber and Sharon Zull, wardrobe; Jeff Clamors, stagehand; and Bobby Fisher, Katy Goforth, Lisa Knoppe, Duane Ludwig, Kelli Masiakiewicz, Donna Radtke, Caitlin Roam, Janine Salvio, Pam Smith, Emily Zull and Sharon Zull, scenery and props. Adult Recreation Services would like to say thank you to St. Charles West High School for the use of the auditorium; Chad Theatrical for costumes; St. Louis Airport Marriott for props; St. Louis Life in Winghaven for hosting the cast party; and to all the parents and volunteers.
CLICK HERE for more photos.
Learn more about how Drama Club enriches the lives of our participants by visiting our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/communitylivinginc
We hope to see you next year! |
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