'Annie, Jr.' taking stage at Portales High

As we head into one of the busiest local weekends in more than two years, let me urge you to not overlook a hidden gem: the Portales High School production of the musical, "Annie, Jr." 

 Without taking away from the challenges faced by any segment of society during Covid, for those in performing arts, it has been a particularly bleak existence. 

PHS theater teacher Melody Gallagher said her young cast is eager to be on stage - some of them for the first time - in a production perfectly suited for a family outing. 

Many of us (I'll come back to that in a moment) are familiar with the original "Annie," the story of a spunky red-headed orphan adopted by the wealthy Oliver Warbucks that debuted as a musical on Broadway in 1977. 

"Annie, Jr." is a shortened and simplified version of the story, but with all of the best loved songs like "Maybe," "It's a Hard Knocks Life," "Easy Street," and - of course - "Tomorrow."  

The biggest difference is that this show will run "only one hour when all is said and done," Gallagher said. It plays straight through with plenty of action and no intermission. 

On top of that, PHS has opted for curtain times that work well for even the youngest theater-goers: You can catch this on the stage of the PHS Performing Arts Center at 6 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, or in 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. 

Please note there is no Friday performance. Gallagher said a number of the students involved with this show will be in Rio Rancho that day competing in the New Mexico Activities Association's state choir contest. 

I had the pleasure of sitting in on a tech rehearsal last week and watching the joyous chaos of a high school musical coming together.  

One cast member was gone for a dentist appointment - others were still figuring the best places to enter and exit while trying out newly introduced wigs and props. Gallagher was on a microphone at the lighting board periodically injecting tips: "Orphans, don't start swaying until almost the end ...." 

After the run-through, several cast members came by to visit with me.  

I don't think they intentionally set out to make me feel old, but I was surprised to learn that even though I had thoughtfully abstained from belting out all of the songs, many of these kids had never even heard of "Annie" or any of the songs in it until it was announced as the spring musical. 

Brooke McNeill, one of the two sophomores double-cast as Annie, told me she had only seen a complete version of the original production for the first time on the previous day.  

Senior Cali Walker, who plays Warbucks' assistant Grace Farrell, said she'd seen "parts of it," adding (I think only to comfort me), "I knew 'Tomorrow.'" 

I can assure you that for a bunch of newbies - accompanied by a beautifully recorded score that was unfamiliar to these young whippersnappers - they've mastered it like professionals, and audiences are in for a treat. 

By the way, both Annie and Miss Hannigan are double cast.  

For those who want to be sure to catch an actor they know, Annie will be portrayed by Brooke McNeill and Miss Hannigan will be portrayed by Maggie Wooldridge in the 6 p.m. performances. For the 2 p.m. performances, Olivia Fowler plays Annie, and Mackenzie Porter is Miss Hannigan.  

All four are on stage in other roles when they aren't singing lead. 

You'll be able to get tickets at the door ahead of time - general admission is $7. There is a student / military / senior / teacher price of $5, and children 5 and under may attend for free. 

Don't forget to bring a grin (or at the very least a smirk).  

Because - sing it with me - "You're never fully dressed without a smile." 

Betty Williamson has way too many showtunes occupying space in her brain. Reach her at:

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