Blessed Sacrament Children's Theater to Present 'Annie'

Blessed Sacrament Children's Theatre is finishing up their rehearsals for their weekend performances of Annie. Director Bob Tansley and his Co-director Pat Hearn have put together two casts of area children to bring the beloved musical to life for alternate performances. The students range in age from pre-kindergarten to teenagers. I attended a dress rehearsal with the opening night cast and was impressed with the bit of the show that I saw that was what Mr. Hearn called "an adult level production with children."

Before the rehearsal, Mr. Tansley introduced me to "Buddy," his daughter's dog, who will serve as one of the Sandys. Kids is costume roamed around the gym already set up with folding chairs for the audience. A voice from the back called out to the principal actors to come out and get mic'd. Debbie Hartley Forchielli helped out with the costumes and the rest of the many volunteer parents were busy readying the stage, the lights and the props. At the very last minute, a much needed love seat was found on the curb across the street from the school and brought onto the stage.

Justin Sanzari had his head recently shaved in order to play the role of Daddy Warbucks. The sixteen year old student at Holy Cross is over six feet tall and has a fine stage presence. He, like many of the principle roles, were cast with alumni of the Blessed Sacrament theater program that were invited back to supplement the four boys and many young girls that auditioned.

Ben Orlando serves as assistant choreographer. This talented young man most recently played Danny in the Post University production of Grease, and the year before was Rod in Avenue Q at Post. Both of these shows were directed by Mr. Tansley as well, but he calls the BS productions the biggest ones that he does.

Mr. Orlando began his career onstage at BS back when they did Wizard of Oz and enjoys volunteering with the group of students. He told me that next year's show at Post will be Hairspray and he hopes to play the role of Edna Turnblad. Before the rehearsal was over, Mr. Tansley gave this young actor a promotion with the role of Judge Brandeis, a part with only one line. No small parts and all that...I enjoyed talking theater with this talented young man.

The first time that this cast had run the full show was yesterday and since the previous Annie set had been discarded, the new set was only recently finished. It is a two level deal, with a large moveable staircase. The orphans' bunks are decorated with chalk marks written by the young actors. Large moveable panels change the scenes.

Places were called at 7:10 and the stage was suddenly filled with orphans. The stage manager efficiently filled each and every bunk, first asking the kids if they were afraid of heights before she assigned them an upper level bunk. Perhaps the most difficult part of the first scene form these little ones is to refrain from peeked out from their bunk prior to their entrances. Definitely the best part of this scene for the parents and grandparents in the audience will be the parade of orphans while the nasty Miss Hannigan checks their hair. The music director gave the cast excellent cues, all the while using the correct musical terms when referring to the score.

Click here to read more about how this group got back up and running.

The show runs at Blessed Sacrament School, 386 Robinwood Road in Waterbury from Thurs. June 27th through Sunday, June 30th. Tickets are $10 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Greater Waterbury Campership Fund.