Having fun on Easy Street: ‘Annie cast preparing for the sun to come out

The sun will come up at Theatre Dublin for an optimistic story filled with music and dancing. 

The Dublin Community Theatre will present “Annie” at 7 p.m. on April 23, 24 and  2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on April 25. Tickets can be purchased at purplepass.com/Annie26 or by calling Theatre Dublin at (478) 272-2560.

“I think it’s going to be an outstanding show,”  show director Glenda Berry said. “I love the story. When people think about ‘Annie’ it is popular and familiar to almost everyone. Annie is the eternal optimist.” 

Elaine Avery is the assistant director, John Morgan is serving as music director and Gilda Loyd is helping as the choreographer. 

“Ticket sales have been the best they have ever been for our Dublin Community Theatre productions,” said Berry. “We will have a live orchestra with professional musicians. We will have professional backdrops and professional costumes that we have become known for. Even though we are a community theater, we really try to put on the most professional production that we can.”

There are a lot of parallels between the period the show is set, the early 1930s, and today.

“There were some concerns about prices and how people would take care of themselves,” Berry said about the similarities. “What is happening in the story has an amazing reflection on some of the things that are happening today. I think that makes it more relatable for people.”

As for the lead character, Gracen Gayle Bates has put in a lot of time and dedication into becoming Annie.

“She epitomizes everything you want in an Annie,” Berry said. “She is spirited, professional and is always upbeat. She never complains. She is a genuine joy and a pleasure to work with.” 

Bates was excited to land the lead role.

“I have listened to my lines about every other night,” Bates said. “I’ve put in a lot of hard work. All the members of the cast are really nice. It has been good to be able to meet new people.”

Bates’ favorite song in the show is “Tomorrow.”

“It is a very optimistic song about what is going to happen the next day,” she said. 

During a Dublin Rotary Club meeting, Berry heard Cannon Warnock sing a song. She encouraged him to audition for a future DCT show.

“When he auditioned, he actually sang one of the songs from the show,” Berry said. “I think everyone who was at auditions knew we had our Daddy Warbucks when he performed.” 

This will be Warnock’s irst time in a DCT production. His daughter, Nora, who stars as the orphan Pepper in this show, was in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” last November.

“She really enjoys the theatre and I’ve been involved in music in the past,” Warnock said. “The two of us decided to come out and audition together. It has been a great experience.”

Warnock was impressed with the historical backdrop of “Annie” that deals with  Herbert Hoover, people in Hooverville, unemployment and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

“I was never aware that this type of history was in the play,” Warnock said. “Jimmy Cox, who is playing Roosevelt, has been probably my favorite character. He looks like Roosevelt and sounds like Roosevelt. It has been fun to see him fill in that role.”

Becky Wilson, who teaches at Bleckley County Middle School, will make her DCT debut as Warbucks’ secretary – Grace. Though she is new to Theatre Dublin, Wilson has played Maria in “The Sound of Music,” Marian in “The Music Man,” Belle in “Beauty and the Beast.” 

“She has an impressive resume,” Berry said. “She is wonderful on stage. Not only has she brought a lot to her role, but she has brought a lot to part of the choreography team working with the orphans.”

This is Wilson’s third time in “Annie.” She played Annie when she was 9 and starred as Grace in the late 1990s. Her daughter – Clara – is also in the show as Molly. They have had the chance to work their lines at home.

“She learned her lines before I learned mine.” Wilson said.

There are a few scenes where Wilson has the opportunity to be on stage at the same time as her daughter.

“It has been fun and a dream come true,” Wilson said. “When I found out I was having a little girl I couldn’t wait to get her involved in music and theatre. This show is so special to me and I wanted Clara to get involved and for this to be her first show too. It’s a good first show for young girls to get involved in.”

As for Clara, “I think audiences are going to be delighted by her because she does such a wonderful job,” Berry said.  

When it comes to someone having an evil, good time, do not look any further than Avianc’e Gainey, who stars as Miss Hannigan. 

“She is a dynamo on stage,” Berry said. “I think she is hilarious in the role. We wanted Miss Hannigan for laughs. I didn’t want to make her too evil. I really wanted the audience to laugh with the villains.” 

Gainey called Miss Hannigan “a pretty bad girl.” But, she added that the character is fun and challenging to play. 

“This is the first role of this type that I have really embraced, and I have had to do so much physical comedy,” Gainey said. “I am embracing her and I am trying to make her as human as possible.”

Gainey has had the privilege of working with the young ladies who make up the orphans.

“They are all so sweet and they are incredibly talented, each and every one of them,” Gainey said. “I love that they have a distinction between Avianc’e and Miss Hannigan. They love Avianc’e but they can’t stand Miss Hannigan.”

Miss Hannigan and her brother, Rooster, played by Weston Snell, and his partner in crime, Lily St. Regis, played by Julie McLendon, eventually collaborate to pull off an evil scheme. But from their point of view, they just want what they sing about in the song, “Easy Street.” 

“That song is so much fun,” Gainey said. “It kind of breaks away from the more serious tones that are around that song. I think it gives a variety and spice. We get to be our characters and live out in those characters.”

Snell, from Swainsboro, called that song fun, but admitted it was a challenge to learn.

“The harmonies must be pinpoint,” he said. “It is such a fun number and has a lot of comedic points.”

Snell starred as Arvide Abernathy in last summers DCT’s production of “Guys and Dolls.” As Abernathy, Snell was a good positive character. 

“I’m the villain this time,” Snell said. “Rooster is someone who wants money. He wants the easy way out. He wants to go to “Easy Street.”

Another aspect of Annie is the dog, Sandy. Bates will be familiar with Sandy who is being played by her dog – Gunner.

“That was crazy,” Bates said. “I never thought he would be on stage with me. It’s kind of weird that I have to act like I don’t know him but I do know him.”

  Sandy is an important part of the production.

“The original Sandy needed to be re-cast and it just so happened that our Annie had a dog that her mom showed us a photograph and asked if he could be our Sandy,” Berry said. “When Gunner and Gracen are on stage together, I believe it’s going to be something that will touch people’s hearts.”

There is a number of adults, some who have been in other DCT productions and some making their debuts, who play multiple roles throughout the show.

“I was super impressed with how talented everyone was during auditions,” Wilson said. “It’s nice to have this amount of talent locally. It has been fun to get to know the other adults who love doing theatre.” 

Warnock has enjoyed watching the process come together. 

“Glenda has a lot of experience doing this,” he said. “There are so many moving pieces and so many people involved. If you don’t have a strong leader, it can get very chaotic.”

With a few more practices remaining, the cast and directors of “Annie” are putting in the final pieces to make sure the audience will like this optimistic presentation. 

“I hope everybody comes out to see it,” Berry said. “I think people will love seeing “Annie.” I think the crowd will be amazed about the talent we have in Middle Georgia.”