THE UNITY PLAYERS PRESENT ANNIE
Annie heads to Dr. Phillips Center to raise money for local foster group homes
Orlando, FL, February 27, 2018: Leapin’ Lizards! Annie is coming to Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts! Unity Players Inc, in partnership with Premiere Youth Theatre, present the Broadway musical, Annie, one of the best-loved shows of all time. This production is a charity benefit for central Florida foster group homes.
Annie is a worldwide phenomenon and winner of seven Tony Awards. The show features some of the greatest musical theater hits ever written, from the unforgettable “It’s the Hard-Knock Life” and “Easy Street” to the anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.” Featuring book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, Annie is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
Set in New York in 1933, this is the extraordinary story of an 11-year-old girl, determined to escape from an orphanage to find her family. Driven by eternal optimism and a spunky demeanor, Annie escapes the clutches of the greedy Miss Hannigan and sets out on her own. Along the way, she meets her lovable dog Sandy, charms hearts, befriends President Roosevelt and finds a joyful future, in the home of billionaire Oliver Warbucks.
As this production is a charity benefit, a majority of net proceeds will be donated to iPrevail, in order to support the Friends of Foster Homes program. To show their support for these children in need, theatre veterans have volunteered their time and talents to serve in the cast, the crew and in creative positions.
Within the cast, brilliant performers include Lisa Renee Ormiston Johnson as Miss Hannigan, Siobahn Gale as Grace Farrell, Austin Sultzbach as Rooster Hannigan, Nora Krahenbuhl as Lily St. Regis, Andrew Johnson as President Roosevelt, Chandler Talkington Fletcher as Bert Healy, Jim Otwell as Drake, Marty O'Donnell as Lt. Ward and real-life siblings, Emma, Anna and Jojo Gazdecki as the Boylan sisters. Local actress Natalie Bishop (11) plays the title role, alongside her father Tristan, who portrays Warbucks. The orphans are portrayed by amazingly talented children from around Central Florida. The production features choreography by Lisa Renee Ormiston Johnson and technical direction by Darius Talkington Fletcher. Annie is the perfect musical for the entire family, and it’s for a phenomenal cause!
Performance Schedule
Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 8:00 PM
Friday, May 25, 2018 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 8:00 PM
Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 2:00 PM
Where: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, in the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater
Address: 445 South Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
Run Time: Approximately 120 minutes.
Box Office: https://www.drphillipscenter.org/events/tickets/2018/annie-the-musical/
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About Unity Players, Inc: The Unity Players are a Florida-based 501(c)3 corporation that channels the power of the arts to help those in need. The Unity Players were founded in 2017 to leverage our experience in music and theater and align it with the volunteer projects we are part of. The Unity Players’ vision is to use our gifts to impact local children. The Unity Players’ mission is to connect and coordinate volunteer directors, choreographers, actors, musicians and technicians, to raise both awareness and funds for local foster group homes.
About Premiere Youth Theatre: Premiere Youth Theatre was founded in 2014 with a mission to provide strong performing arts education in drama, music and dance. The Premiere Youth Theatre’s mission is for our students to discover their own performing arts capabilities, while building valuable skills that extend to all facets of life; enhancing our students as people and as artists.
About Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization operating the state-of-the-art performing arts center in downtown Orlando, Florida. With its opening in November 2014, the performing arts center launched its vision of Arts for Every Life by being a gathering place for creativity and discovery; a vibrant urban destination where artists, audiences and students come to experience, explore and learn.
