Red Bank Theater Watch: It's All About Annie

This week, Count Basie Theater presents the beloved classic musical Annie. There will be three performances to choose from, Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 10 at 3 p.m. The Broadway classic, which has some of the most memorable music, will be presented as a revival of the original play and it’s sure to be a treat that the entire family will enjoy.

The play is presented by Phoenix Productions, a community theater company based in Red Bank. A non-profit community theater formed in 1987, Phoenix Productions specializes in producing Broadway revivals at a modest cost so that families can attend and introduce children to the theater. 

For performers, Phoenix allows thespians from all over a chance to work in a full scale production at a renowned theater.

 The original Broadway play lasted nearly six years and earned a Tony Award for best musical. The show’s music is among the most popular to come out of a Broadway play.

The well known musical, about a girl and her dog, brings to life the message of holding on to hope with classic songs such as “It’s a Hard-Knock Life,” and “Tomorrow.”

Annie takes place in the 1930s and is the story of an orphan girl who escapes the orphanage to search for her real parents. While on the run from the orphanage, Annie encounters Sandy, a stray dog who she takes under her wing.

Shortly after leaving the orphanage, Annie is caught and brought back, much to her dismay. However, after she returns, she is quickly taken in by millionaire Oliver Warbucks, who is seeking to bring an orphan to his home for Christmas. The story then follows Annie’s time with “Daddy” Warbucks and the search for her real parents.

The Phoenix Productions performance features 30 actors from across New Jersey. The lead role of Annie is played by Carly Nelson of Manahawkin. Annie’s beloved dog, Sandy, is played by Oliver who is one of Broadway’s William Berloni’s rescue dogs. Berloni trained and handled the original Sandy. He is known for training rescue animals and even won the American Humane Association Richard Craven Award for his human treatment and training of animals.

To coincide with the work of Mr. Berloni and the production of Annie, Phoenix Productions will also hold a special event, the “Annie Animal Rescue Adoption Event” on Saturday, April 9 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

For the event, Phoenix Productions partnered with local non-profit organization Wag on Inn Rescue. Wag on Inn Rescue is made up of volunteers who work diligently to find permanent homes for a variety of animals.

The animal rescue event will take place at the Phoenix Rehearsal Center, next door to the Count Basie Theater. William Berloni will be at the event, signing copies of his book, Broadway Tails.  Anyone who adopts an animal at the event will receive two tickets to a performance of Annie.

• Annie at the Count Basie Theatre will take place the following dates and times:
• Friday, April 8, 2011 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 3 p.m.
• Annie Animal Adoption Event: Saturday, April 9, 2011 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  at the Phoenix Productions Rehearsal Studio, 111 Monmouth St.