METRMAG Spotlight On: "Annie the Musical" The Gilbert Players (Hardwick, MA.)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
Contact: 774-242-6724
(COVER PHOTO: The CAST of "Annie the Musical" coming to the Center at Eagle Hill, Abby Theatre, 242 Old Petersham Road, Hardwick, MA. April 8, 9 & 10, 2022. Photo Courtesy of the Gilbert Players)
The Gilbert Players
Presents
"ANNIE THE MUSICAL"
Music By Charles Strouse
Lyrics By Martin Charnin
Book By Thomas Meehan
Based on "Little Orphan Annie" by Harold Gray
Artistic Director - Linda Klem Tomasi
Music Director - John Tomasi
Choreographer - Julie Bouchard, Jazmyn Vautour, Linda Tomasi
Stage Manager - Karen Gaudy
Accompanist - Stephanie Parker, Kurt Staven
Cast Includes: Jaya McBroom, Erick Von Bleiken, Cassie Blanchette, Julie Bouchard, Tom Sullivan, Olivia Pascale, Rob Lynds, Karl Erickson, Brian LaRochelle, Cindy Newsham, Patricia O’Conner, Morgan Orszulak, William Pelletier, Jason Benoit, John Tomasi, Sofia Voloshinow, Isabel Coviello, Lilyana Robichaud, Hannah LaRochelle, Maeve Smith, Abigayle Bateman, Aimee Ickler, Brynn Kelly, Audrey Thomasian.
Presented at the Center at Eagle Hill,
Abby Theatre, 242 Old Petersham Road, Hardwick, MA 01037
April 8, 9 & 10, 2022
(Contact Box Office for Times)
Contact the Gilbert Players
Phone # 413-477-8355
Tickets: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35541/production/1071653
Leapin' Lizards! Annie is back and coming to Hardwick!
This weekend only the Gilbert Players of Hardwick, MA. present their much anticipated return with "Annie the Musical" running April 8, 9 & 10 (contact the box office for exact times).
According to the show's director, Linda Tomasi, "After all of the delays and Covid, this seems to be a better show than ever."
The group had originally anticipated running the smaller cast show "Nunsense" for the Spring but with COVID's postponement of the larger scale "Annie" in the fall, Gilbert Players opted to run "Annie" as their spring show, instead.
"It (Annie) has lots of vibrancy and comedy. Our actors are spot on with personalities. As usual
the sets and costumes cannot be matched."
"Annie" was a Broadway smash in the 1970s, winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It has become a family favorite ever since.
(PHOTO: The CAST of "Annie the Musical" coming to the Center at Eagle Hill, Abby Theatre, 242 Old Petersham Road, Hardwick, MA. April 8, 9 & 10, 2022. Photo Courtesy of the Gilbert Players)
Based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie and loosely based on the 1885 poem "Little Orphant Annie" written by James Whitcomb Riley.
The musical includes book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including the show's signature song, "Tomorrow".
(PHOTO: Jaya Coppolino plays the title role in "Annie the Musical" coming to the Center at Eagle Hill, Abby Theatre, 242 Old Petersham Road, Hardwick, MA. April 8, 9 & 10, 2022. Photo Courtesy of the Gilbert Players)
With live theatre now getting back into full swing, what better show than "Annie" for the return of the Gilbert Players. Tickets may be obtained by contacting the Gilbert Players at # 413-477-8355
or via gilbertplayers1@gmail.com or by following the link below.
Tickets:
https://ci.ovationtix.com/35541/production/1071653
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
The Gilbert Players proudly present Annie!
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City.
Annie is determined to find the parents who left her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage.
With the help of the other girls in the orphanage, Annie escapes into the wondrous world of NYC.
In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie comes to find a new home and family.
COVID-19 PROTOCOL
The Center at Eagle Hill and Eagle Hill School are continuing to closely follow the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to stay informed of local and state guidance.
With the surging infection rates and heightened transmissibility of the Delta variant, we have put in place the following policy for all performances at The Center:
We will require proof of vaccination from all patrons in attendance at our performances. Children who are not eligible for the vaccine due to age will be exempt from this requirement. In addition, we ask that all audience members be masked, out of an abundance of caution.
Our Box Office Bar will be closed for the time being as well.
These policies will remain in effect at least through the end of 2021. We will continue to reevaluate the policies as the impacts of the pandemic are constantly evolving, and will communicate any changes as soon as they are made.
ABOUT THE GILBERT PLAYERS
The Gilbert Players are the essence of success and satisfaction for Linda and John Tomasi, co-directors of the theatre production company. Since 2008, The Gilbert Players have been the Resident Theatre Company at The Center at Eagle Hill. For the past 13 years, they have presented top-notch productions and wowed audiences of all ages.
