Penobscot Theatre Company Presents ANNIE, Dec 5-29

Leapin' Lizards! Penobscot Theatre Company presents its holiday production, ANNIE (December 5 - December 29th).

ANNIE, which made its triumphant return to Broadway after 35 years this month, is the 7-time Tony Award winning musical based on the Little Orphan Annie comic strip. Annie, the spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, takes audiences on adventure after fun filled adventure as she foils Miss Hannigan's evil schemes, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks along with her lovable mutt, Sandy.

"A lot of people forget, ANNIE ends with one of the most iconic Christmas scenes of all time," says Penobscot Theatre Company Artistic Director, Bari Newport. "It really is the perfect holiday musical."

Kate Fogg and Lana Sabbagh share the title role of Annie and will alternate performances. Kate is a 7th Grader at Holbrook Middle School and was seen on the PTC stage last season in A CHRISTMAS STORY. She says, "This should a wonderful experience that I will never forget!" Lana is in the 6th grade at Brewer Community School and was seen in PTC's THE BLUEBERRY BALLADEER last spring. "I can't wait to get out on stage and sing my heart out," remarks Lana.

The casting of the rest of the orphans include 13 year old Kate Adam of William S Cohen School, 11 year old Amanda Bustard of Dedham School, 8 year old Emma Campbell of Leroy H Smith School, 10 year old Molly Haggerty at Mary Snow School, 11 year old Maia Loeb at Brewer Community School, 12 year old Abigail Thompson at Reeds Brook Middle School and 10 year old Raiya Vikberg at Downeast Christian School.

As Daddy Warbucks, PTC welcomes Brendan Powers. Powers credits include work at Seacoast Rep, Florida Rep, Mill Mountain Theatre, Flat Rock Playhouse, North Shore Music Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse, Hippodrome Theatre and at the Irish Classical Theatre.

AJ Mooney (Miss Hannigan), Dominick Varney (Rooster), Christie Robinson (Lily), Brianne Beck (Grace), Jasmine Ireland, Ben Layman, Bob Potts, Stephanie Colovito, Joshua Schmersal and New York's Lauren Brickman make up the rest of the adult cast.

The canine role of Sandy is being trained by Don Hanson of Green Acres Kennels and will be played by ZuZu, a two-year old bulldog. Penobscot Theatre Company's production of ANNIE is proudly produced in partnership with the Bangor Humane Society who will be showcasing a homeless dog at every public performance.

The design team responsible for the creation of the elaborate world of this play include: Shannon Zura (set design), Shon Causer (lighting design), Rebecca Wright (costume design) and Meredith Perry (properties design). The five-piece band will be led by Musical Director John Haskell. Choreography is by Nathan Halvorson. ANNIE will be directed by Bari Newport.

ANNIE is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Dead River Company, Wells Fargo Advisors, Bangor International Airport, Farrell Rosenblatt & Russell. Ongoing hospitality and media sponsors are The Charles Inn, Bangor Daily News, The Maine Edge, Canyon Networks, Blueberry Broadcasting, ZONE Radio and WLBZ Channel 2.

Tickets are $15 for youth under 18 and $30 for adults. Group rates available. ANNIE tickets make excellent holiday gifts. Purchase tickets, subscriptions and gift certificates online at www.penobscottheatre.org, or through the Box Office at 207-947-6618.

Penobscot Theatre Company is America's Northeastern-most professional, year round theatre company, owners of the historic Bangor Opera House,a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, producing a wide variety of plays and musicals each season. For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season visit www.penobscottheatre.org.

Pictured: Kate Fogg ZuZu Lana Sabbagh