“She’s just kind of a natural,” she said. She’s done a beautiful job, Wiley said, and hasn’t needed much direction. Wiley noted that Wilke, starring as Annie, had a dance background but no theater experience when she joined the cast.
“It’s a joy … just to see kids pulling something like this off, just the joy of experienceing kids doing their own show and being good at it.” Wiley, who co-directs the play, added that while several of the kids are new to performing, and learning lines has been a challenge for some of the little ones, everyone has enthusiastically taken on their roles, and backstage work is even run by the kids. “There’s great acting and singing, and all those familiar tunes.” The crew of depression-era orphans, New Yorkers and dancing servants will perform well-known “Annie” classics such as “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” and, of course, “Tomorrow.”Įrickson said she’s been impressed by the young performers, who range from third through 12th grade and have been taking time to learn and rehearse the play outside of school.
