St. Edmond Catholic School will do just that, as they prepare to present the hit show March 21-23 for the annual school musical.

The cast has been selected for the show and rehearsals are in full swing. St. Edmond has held a musical annually since 1980, with this marking the first time “Annie” has been tabbed.

“The cast this year really is something special,” cast member Andee Barwin said. “Each and every member is passionate about being there and that’s super exciting.

“We’ve all been working hard every practice, but I really just can’t wait for the two weeks before the show when it really comes together. It’s like magic.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Abby Lawler, Braelynn Rees, Avenlee Hayek, Andee Barwin, Alyssa Elbert, Lilac Reed and Nicole Mosier rehearse "it's a Hard Knock Life" from "Annie" on Wednesday at St. Edmond.

Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has captured seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Chamin features several hits.

Centered around an orphan named Annie and set in 1930s New York City, the show provides an inspirational look at how the main character rises up through being abandoned to help other girls in the orphanage and find herself a new home with Oliver Warbucks, Grace Farrell and their mutt, Sandy.

This year’s musical is a team effort being led by Alyssa Sparks, stage director; Sam Ward, pit and chorus director; and Jacque Batz, choreographer. For the first time this year, the musical also has a student assistant music director in senior Zach Midtling.

“I think it’s been nice having the student music director,” said Sparks. “He’s doing a great job working with the kids and getting his peers invested with the music.”

She said this year’s cast is special because it includes middle school students, who either have small roles or play the part of extras on stage, whether as orphans, servants or cabinet members.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
St. Edmond cast member Lilac Reed rehearses a scene from "Annie" the Musical on Wednesday.

“For me, I like the idea of pairing middle school kids with the high schoolers,” said Sparks. “I really like that aspect.”

Midtling also enjoys working with the younger students.

“I am super excited for musical this year,” said Midtling, who is also a member of the cast. “I think overall ‘Annie’ was an amazing choice for our cast. Each student has worked their butt off for a little while now, and especially with me being a senior now, I am so proud of the growth I am seeing in the underclassman and the middle schoolers.

“The show is goofy and heartwarming and everyone is having a great time with it and I can’t wait for people to see it.”

One of Sparks’ favorite parts is the added element of working with a dog on stage.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Pictured in front from left are Sophia Schlienz, Naomi Valles, Emily Scott, Greenlee Crimmins and Nicole Mosier. In back are Irene Song, Grace Schleagle, Laila Hickey , Adelyn Bangert, Hayden Nau, Owen Marshall, Cora Anderson, Mae Pokorny, Mary Ella Gruver, Caleb Mosier and Liam Shannon.

“That is tricky in and of itself,” she said. “It’s been fun. We’ve got a dog named Henry playing the role of Sandy. He is the best dog. He is very obedient. He’s getting better each time with following the commands that Annie gives him.”

With just two weeks until the musical, Sparks said all the different pieces are starting to come together.

“There’s always something to tweak, something we can do a little better,” she said. “Now that the kids are out of their books, it will be easier for them to get into character.”

The seniors in the cast are especially looking forward to the musical.

“I’m just excited to take the stage one final time with some of my best friends before I graduate,” cast member Maya Neverman, a senior, said. “We’ve been working hard but it’s been a little rough with scheduling with the athletes, so we’re gonna power down to be ready to be in front of a crowd.”

Sparks encourages everyone to come out and support the students.

“They do work hard and they deserve that to be seen by the community,” she said.

Tickets are $10 each and are now on sale for purchase at the St. Edmond High School Administration Office.

Messenger writer Deanna Meyer contributed to this story.

If you go:

What: St. Edmond Musical

When:

March 21st — 7 p.m.

March 22nd — 7 p.m.

March 23rd — 3 p.m.

Where:

St. Edmond High School auditorium

Tickets: $10 per person

Available at the St. Edmond

High School Administration Office

CAST of ‘ANNIE’

Annie Nicole Mosier

Miss Hannigan Emma Davis

Daddy Warbucks Denny Ehn

Grace Abby Tofilon

Rooster Levi Odor-Westrum

Lily Maya Neverman

Roosevelt Jonah Carlson

Pepper Abby Lawler

Duffy Lilah Reed

July Alyssa Elbert

Molly Andee Barwin

Tessie Avenlee Hayek

Kate Braelynn Rees

Star to Be Emily Mosier

Bert Healy Zach Midtling

Sound Fx staff Mary Ella Gruver

Jimmy Johnson Jonah Carlson

Wacky Jack Webster

Judge Brandies Jonah Mosier

Boylan Sisters Emily Mosier

Emily Scott

Sophia Schleintz

Bundle Jonah Carlson

Lt. Ward Jack Webster

Drake Zach Midtling

Mrs. Greer Emily Mosier

Mr. Pugh Jonah Mosier

Cecile Sophia Schlientz

Annette Lizzy Tiernan

Chauffeur Owen Marshall

Ickes Jonah Mosier

Perkins Owen Marshall

Hull Jack Webster

Morganthau Lizzy Tiernan

Howe Hayden Nau

Dog Catcher Jonah Mosier

Assistant Dog Catcher Emily Mosier

Eddie Hayden Nau

Sophie Emily Scott

Hooverville Men Owen Marshall

Caleb Mosier

Jack Webster

Hooverville Women Laila Hickey

Mae Pokorny

Cora Anderson

Naomi Valles

Kiersten Schumacher

Adelyn Bangert

Grace Schlegal

Greenlee Crimmins

Mary Gruver

Maria Pizano

Irene Song

Appleseller Sophia Schlientz

Usherette Maria Pizano

Kid Sophia Schlienz

Ensemble characters

Orphans:

Cora Anderson, Adelyn Bangert, Greenlee Crimmins, Mary Gruver, Laila Hickey, Maria Pizano, Mae Pokorny, Grace Schlegel, Kiersten Schumacher, Emily Scott, Irene Song, Naomi Valles

NYC:

Cora Anderson, Adelyn Bangert, Greenlee Crimmins, Mary Gruver, Laila Hickey, Maria Pizano, Mae Pokorny, Grace Schlegel, Kiersten Schumacher, Emily Scott, Irene Song, Naomi Valles, Jack Webster, Hayden Nau, Caleb Mosier, Owen Marshall, Liam Shannon

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