By Kellie Houx
KHoux@cherryroad.com
GLADSTONE — The musical “Annie” opened on Broadway in 1977 and has toured many times. The show has been performed in schools and community groups. This summer, it’s going to be on the Gladstone Amphitheater as the first summer show for Gladstone Theatre in the Park.
This is the 38th season.
The theater is located at the intersection of Northeast 76th Street and North Troost Avenue in Gladstone.
The show starts at 8:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday, June 27 to 29.
Based on the 1924 comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse, and Martin Charnin, features some of the greatest musical theater hits ever written, including “It’s a Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” and “Tomorrow.”
The story focuses on Annie, an orphan in 1930s New York City, who finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a mutt named Sandy.
Follow the spunky and optimistic young orphan, Annie, as she embarks on a remarkable journey filled with hope, friendship, and the search for her real family.
These performances are free to the public. Snacks and beverages will be sold by the Gladstone Rotary Club.
Bring lawn chairs and blankets to the park at 3 p.m. for the annual Blanket Run. Guests will gather at the park to be released and allowed to pick out the perfect spot to watch the performance later that evening.
For Gladstone Theatre in the Park, father-and-daughter duo Chris Cobbett and Susanna Cobbett, 11, are playing Oliver Warbucks and Annie.
The father and daughter were in “Fiddler on the Roof” last year.
“It’s fun to be in the show, but exhausting,” Susanna said.
Chris said much of that is because Annie almost never leaves the stage.
“My big solos are in the first half too,” she said.
Katherine Welzenbach plays Miss Hannigan, the caretaker of the orphanage in New York City.
While the character despises the children, particularly the girls, Welzenbach has been impressed with Susanna’s stamina and voice.
“She is really a pro,” she said.
Susanna again reiterated that the musical is fun and inspiring.
“Performing in Annie with Susanna is a dream come true,” Chris said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. I have always wanted to play the role.”
Being father and daughter has added to their performances. Their relationship bleeds into the roles.
“It’s easy to summon some of the emotions,” he said.
“Then sometimes we have to hold it back,” Susanna said. “Daddy Warbucks and Annie have to be a bit awkward. It can be a little hard to not be as familiar as we are,” Chris said. “Doing this show together is about sharing our love of musicals and memory building.”
Welzenbach’s daughter Evelyn plays Annie’s fellow orphan friend Kate.
“This is our first time up here in Gladstone,” Welzenbach said. “We are from Johnson County. I wanted Miss Hannigan. It’s a dream role. It’s just a thrill to play her. It’s also a blast to have my daughter play Kate.”
The show also features an orphan ensemble as well as a teen ensemble.
Justen Willhite is the director for “Annie.” Willhite is the theater director for Antioch Middle School in the North Kansas City School District.
The North Star Community Band will provide the music.
