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By MIMI KAMMER Times Leader Correspondent
Friday, December 01, 2000     Page: 13

The first rule of show business is “Never work with kids or dogs.”
   
“Annie” breaks both of these rules. Wonderfully.
    Playing at the Music Box Dinner Playhouse in Swoyersville until Dec. 17,
this tale of a young orphan searching for her parents is a Christmas treat for
the entire family. Neither kids nor adults will be disappointed.
   
Ann Moran is exceptional in the title role, warm and sincere with a
powerful voice that rings through the house. She and all of the orphaned girls
have a definite presence and professionalism on the stage, as well as a great
sense of comic timing. The memorable tune “Hard-Knock Life” is
well-choreographed, and the young actresses execute it perfectly.
   
As their guardian, Miss Hannigan, Debbie Zehner is loud and bold and a bit
scary, just as a drinking matron of the orphanage should be. Zehner’s voice
and her entire performance is of Broadway caliber; she is a truly memorable
part of the production.
   
Her brother and partner and crime, Rooster Hannigan, is played by Jason
Sherry. The character is a crafty, devilish villain, as is his female partner,
Lily, played by Bernadine Vojtko. This wily trio shine in their song-and-dance
number, “Easy Street.”
   
“Annie” also bends yet another rule of show business: “There are no
small roles, only small actors.” Every member of the show’s ensemble – from
the Hoovervillites to the servants – give an excellent, complete performance.
Each voice is strong and confident, and every character, from dog catcher to
apple-seller, is played fully.
   
Many ensemble players serve in double and triple roles, yet each of the
many production numbers appears sharp and polished. One standout was Michael
Gallagher, who played Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He portrays the role with
tons of charm and a comic flair that had audience members laughing out loud.
   
No production of “Annie” would be the same without a Daddy Warbucks, and
Ron Araya, who portrays the stern yet lovable billionaire, fits the role
remarkably. Araya has a booming voice and strong physical presence, and he and
Moran seem to work very comfortably together.
   
The role of Grace, his secretary, was played well by Ellen O’Brien Sherry.
She brought a stylishness and charm to the mothering character.
   
Kevin D. Costley directed and choreographed this memorable production, and
Joan Moyer provided musical direction. A final compliment goes out to Sandy,
the big, lively dog who portrays Annie’s fellow orphan, but with four legs
instead of two.
   
Although he may have stolen a scene or two, he could not steal this show
from its true stars, a talented group of performers, all of whom make an
evening with “Annie” a theatrical night to remember.
   
WHAT: “Annie”
   

   
WHERE: Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville
   

   
WHEN: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, dinner at 6:30 p.m., curtain at 8
p.m.; Sunday, buffet at 2 p.m., curtain at 3:15 p.m. Through Dec. 17.
   

   
ADMISSION: $32, $24 children. Show only: $18; $16, students; $14, children
   

   
INFO: Call 283-2195, (800) 698-7529 or www.musicbox.org
   
Review stage