{"id":378456,"date":"2025-09-28T19:51:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-28T19:51:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?p=378456"},"modified":"2025-09-30T00:26:49","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T00:26:49","slug":"annie-abounds-with-optimism-at-compass-rose-theater","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2025\/09\/28\/annie-abounds-with-optimism-at-compass-rose-theater\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Annie\u2019 abounds with optimism at Compass Rose Theater"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Compass Rose Theater\u2019s production of Annie<\/em> is a colorful celebration of singing and dancing with an optimistic outlook even in the darkest of times. The beloved musical, with book and lyrics by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, features the loveable red-headed orphan Annie during the Great Depression. Directed by Tracy Adler, with musical direction by Barrett Johnson and choreography by Tori Farnsworth, the show is a fun way to kick off the new season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jules Kanarek plays Annie with equal parts love and determination, breaking up fights between the orphans and comforting one of them. She repeatedly breaks out of the orphanage to find her parents, defying the threats of Miss Hannigan (Hayley Adler). She wins over Warbucks (James M. Toler) by leaning against him and sighing. Throughout the show, she changes the tone of \u201cMaybe\u201d from a sweet, hopeful song to one filled with disappointment. \u201cTomorrow\u201d is full of joyful hope.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Jules Kanarek (Annie) and Sequel (Sandy) in \u2018Annie\u2019 at Compass Rose Theater. Photo by Joshua Hubbell.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The girls playing the other orphans are impressively talented. Baylor Cherneski gives a rough edge to Pepper, arguing with the others and fighting them. Tabitha Belle Popernack as July fights her back in a wonderfully staged scene. Sophia Vincent as Tessie seems innocent but pulls pranks on Miss Hannigan. Julia Ballenger as Molly ends up in comical places such as a laundry hamper and a pail. Their \u201cIt\u2019s the Hard Knock Life\u201d is defiant against their harsh treatment, while \u201cFully Dressed\u201d is a fun reprise of a radio song, all while doing handstands, lifts, leaps, and somersaults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hayley Adler brings excellent comic timing to orphanage manager Miss Hannigan. She blows a whistle and yells at the girls while sipping from a flask. \u201cLittle Girls\u201d shows her exasperation with her charges, in a sultry, jazzy mood. Tyler M. White plays her conman brother Rooster with a zest for the next score, while Tori Farnsworth brings a comic ditziness to his moll Lily. They slide across the stage in \u201cEasy Street\u201d figuring out get-rich-quick schemes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James M. Toler plays billionaire Warbucks with authority, barking for his secretary and butler, and making snap decisions on artwork and phone calls. His phone call to President Roosevelt is hilarious, as he tries to hide his distaste for the Democrat Roosevelt. Though he\u2019s initially comically awkward with Annie, they quickly bond, and he twirls her around while singing \u201cI Don\u2019t Need Anything but You.\u201d He sings of his love for the noisy, hustling city in \u201cN.Y.C.\u201d and shows his love for Annie in \u201cSomething Was Missing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taryn Murphy brings an eagerness to Grace, Warbucks\u2019 secretary, confidently helping any way she can. She has great comic tension with Miss Hannigan, as she politely but firmly tells the orphanage manager Warbucks\u2019 plans for Annie. C.C. Gallagher plays Bundles the laundry man with cheer, casually dismissing Miss Hannigan\u2019s flirtations. As FDR he is aristocratic and charming, welcoming Annie. He can be commanding as well, ordering his Cabinet to sing in \u201cCabinet Tomorrow.\u201d Jewel Freeman shines as a star-to-be in \u201cN.Y.C.,\u201d singing of her hopes for the big city. C.C. Gallagher radiates authority as officer Lt. Ward, the beat cop, who confronts Annie. Andrew Agner-Nichols as Drake, the butler, is comically eager, popping up as soon as Warbucks calls for him, and as radio announcer Healy, he smoothly transitions from dramatic to charming as his subject changes. \u201cFully Dressed\u201d is an amusing, memorable jingle. Lizzy Grice is quietly efficient as the maid Sophie. Sequel is clever as the dog Sandy, doing little tricks as Annie sings \u201cTomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
TOP LEFT: Playing orphans: Julia Ballenger, Jules Kanarek (Annie), Tabitha Belle Popernack, Baylor Cherneski, and Sophia Vincent; TOP RIGHT: Taryn Murphy (Grace) and Jame M. Toler (Warbucks); ABOVE: (Back) Jewel Freeman (Star to Be), Andrew Agner-Nichols (ensemble), Lizzy Grice (ensemble), Tabitha Belle Popernack (orphan), Tori Farnsworth (ensemble), C.C. Gallagher (ensemble), Tyler M. White (ensemble), Taryn Murphy (Grace), James M. Toler (Warbucks), (Front) Baylor Cherneski (orphan), Sophia Vincent (orphan), Julia Ballenger (orphan), Jules Kanarek (Annie), in \u2018Annie\u2019 at Compass Rose Theater. Photos by Joshua Hubbell.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Set Designers Kerry and Laurie Brandon and Philip Aaron have large blocks throughout the stage for multiple uses, from beds at the orphanage to the call letters of the radio studio and as seats. A chair, table, and telephone sit off in the front corner, while desks, chairs, and other items come in as needed. Costume and Prop Designer Susan Flynn evokes the Depression era with outfits that distinguish each character, with Grace in elegant business wear, Miss Hannigan in less-expensive-looking dresses, and Rooster in a loud, striped blue suit. Annie wears several dresses throughout, including her famous red one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lighting Designer Marianne Meadows turns off the lights during scene changes. Spotlights shine on the actors during emotional moments. Sound Designers Ryan Squires and Barrett Johnson, also Music Director, ensure the music never overwhelms the singing. Choreographer Tori Farnsworth creates beautiful and athletic dances, with clever swings, twirls, and lifts. Director Tracy Adler gives the show lots of movement, with actors using all parts of the stage. They hit all the right comic and vulnerable moments, singing and dancing with high energy and emotion. Annie<\/em> exudes something for audiences of all ages, especially hope and love, at a time when both are sorely needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Running Time: Two hours and 45 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Annie<\/strong><\/em><\/a> plays through October 19, 2025, presented by Compass Rose Theater,<\/a> performing at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts (third floor), 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD. For tickets ($15\u2013$55 plus fees), call the box office at 410-980-6662 or purchase online.<\/strong> <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A virtual playbill is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The musical exudes hope and love for audiences of all ages, at a time when both are sorely needed. By CHARLES GREEN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":378472,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,22],"tags":[95402],"class_list":{"0":"post-378456","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-reviews","8":"category-virginia","9":"tag-tracy-adler"},"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n\u2018Annie\u2019 abounds with optimism at Compass Rose Theater - 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