TRR photos by Richard A. Ross, collage by Chris Conroy Liberty HIgh School students, middle school students and staff members combined to stage a great performance of “Annie.” (Click for larger image)

‘Annie’ at Liberty a great collaborative effort

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LIBERTY, NY — Sounds of thunderous applause and a standing ovation signaled an overwhelming audience response to the Liberty Performing Arts production of “Annie.”

Sellout crowds packed the David E. Pannebaker Auditorium at Liberty High School on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 21 to 24. Janine Mignemi, an 8th grade teacher, directed this smash hit. The combined efforts of 65 cast members included Dean of Students Harold Tighe and Principal Robert Chakar. A 10 piece pit band, elaborate sets and great costumes made the former Broadway musical exude sufficient warmth and joy to offset the chill of a freezing winter weekend. “Annie,” the musical had a great run on Broadway which began on April 4, 1977 and lasted 2,377 performances.

The plot focuses on an 11-year old orphan named Annie, adeptly played by sophomore Kerri Benzenberg, who longs to be rescued from the bleak municipal orphanage where she has been living since birth. Annie and the other orphans are under the thumb of mean-spirited matron Agatha Hannigan played by Corianna Sichel. Her facial expressions, screams and leering smiles were a great foil to Benzenberg’s portrayal of Annie as naïve and loveable.

Annie’s life take a fortuitous turn when she is chosen to be taken from the orphanage by the secretary of billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Morgan Hardy) to spend two weeks at the home of the wealthy businessman. Dean of Students Harold Tighe admirably played Warbucks. The ruthless businessman’s heart melts when he gets to know Annie and he decides to adopt her. The adoption is almost foiled by a plot hatched by Hannigan, her brother Rooster, played by Peter Ehrenberg, and his girlfriend Lily, enchantingly performed by Kelsey Stoddard. Rooster and Lily pretend to be Annie’s long lost parents to fraudulently claim the $50,000 offered by Warbucks in an attempt to find Annie’s real mom and dad.

The cast was made up of high school students as well as younger students from grades five and up. The large number of kids that auditioned became the orphan group and the Hooverville denizens. Their voices and acting were superb.

Nicole Sustak, who also worked as a student director along with Corianna Sichel and Jerald Isseks, designed the sets. Morgan Hardy painted the scenery. Costumes for the show were rented from Marlu Costumes in Port Jervis. The orphans’ costumes came from donated clothing. The show, which follows in the tradition of many shows at Liberty, was funded by the school. Mr. Tighe worries that the impending budget cuts could affect future shows.

Michele Caltabellotta, owner of Dead End Café got involved this year as musical director. She has helped out in the past as a rehearsal pianist for the chorus. This year, she committed a lot of time and energy to the show. The pit band was led by the great piano accompaniment of Jerald Isseks. The musicians added a “live” score to the strong singing of the principals. Auditions and casting were done in early November and, as Michele put it, “The whole show began to fall right into place.” The countless hours of rehearsal and preparation clearly paid off.

Given scope of the show, it would be impossible to mention and compliment all of the participants. Congratulations to Liberty Performing Arts on a job well done.