Just as there are “un-birthdays” so people can celebrate their birthday whenever they like, so there are “un-Christmases,” so that theatre audiences can enjoy a fun and heart-warming musical like Annie at any time of year.
It’s December, 1933, at the Jesters, and the height of the Depression. At Miss Hannigan’s orphanage for girls the Christmas season is like any other season – poor food, poor clothing, and cleaning and working from dawn til dusk. It may be a “hard-knock life” but little orphan Annie has her own philosophy that gets her through – “the sun will come out tomorrow.”
After a failed runaway attempt – trying to find her parents she believes to still be alive – the spunky Annie is invited to spend a week at the mansion of the wealthy Oliver Warbucks, where she will be cared for by his staff of servants and dedicated secretary, Grace. But the gruff Warbucks, who had merely intended to give a treat to an orphan, as he himself once was – soon begins to look upon Annie as a daughter. The grim specter of the orphanage lurks in the background, however – Miss Hannigan and her shady brother Rooster have a plan that will place them on “Easy Street,” if only they can pull it off.
Annie and “Sandy” at the Jesters Dinner Theatre
The Play
Annie at the Jesters is a delightful show which began performances on April 13, 2018 and will run over weekends until July 8.
The Jesters has a tradition of double- and even triple-casting actors. This keeps the performances fresh, with each actor delivering his or her own nuances and putting their own stamp on their role.
For the performance this reviewer attended, Annie was played by Anna Eastland, Daddy Warbucks by Scott Moore, Grace (Warbuck’s secretary) by Samantha Cooley, and the little girl-hating Miss Hannigan by Shauna Marble. Miss Hannigan’s brother Rooster and his moll Lily St. Regis were played by Scotty Bohnen and Lize Bohnen.
Scott Moore always delivers in his roles and his Daddy Warbucks was no exception – although he had more hair than a Daddy Warbucks should have! His initial gruffness must convincingly give way to tenderness for the little red-headed orphan who needs a father.
Samantha Cooley, usually cast in the ‘bad(dish)-girl” role in productions at the Jesters, is playing against type as the pleasant and efficient Grace Farrell, who of course has a secret crush on her employer, and who does what she can to bring happiness to little orphan Annie.
Shauna Marble, making her Jesters’ debut as the mean Miss Hannigan, performs her part with relish. She belts out “Little Girls” with elan and then joins Rooster and Lily in a well-choreographed “Easy Street.”
Scotty Bohnen and Lize Bohnen made an excellent pair as the opportunistic Rooster and Lily and their milder, unctuous alter egos, Mr. and Mrs. Mudge.
The comic timing between Miss Hannigan and the refined Grace, and the not-quite-so-refined Rooster and Lily, was spot-on, which is so essential in this show.
The stage truly belonged to Anna Eastland as Annie, who delivered the spunkiness and vulnerableness required of the role.
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The supporting characters – the orphans, President Roosevelt, the black sunglasses-wearing FBI Man and so on – each have their own little moment to shine in this fast paced and fun production.
If you’re in the mood for a little un-Christmas cheer, the Jesters’ Annie will deliver.
The Dinner
The Jesters Dinner Theatre offers appetizers such as soup of the day, chips and salsa, quesadillas or shrimp cocktail. Entrees included with the ticket price are chicken cordon bleu, chipotle pork loin, chicken or salmon salad, Extraordinary Berry Salad, or cheese tortellini. Premium entrees are filet of salmon, fantail shrimp or prime rib. They also have a kid’s menu – mini corn dogs, chicken tenders or cheese or pepperoni pizza.
Dinner salad, chicken cordon bleu and chocolate mousse pie for dessert
Dessert choices are ice cream sundaes, New York-style cheese cake, chocolate mousse pie, apple pie, gluten free fudge brownie, Mud Pie, or root beer float. A variety of beverages are also offered, both alcoholic – beer and wine – and non-alcoholic.
This reviewer sticks with the chicken cordon bleu, which was piping hot and delicious. The chocolate mousse pie, attractively presented, was delicious also.
If You Go
The Jesters Dinner Theatre,224 Main Street, Longmont, Colorado, is less than an hour north of Denver (depending on traffic), and about an hour south of Cheyenne.
Drive on I-25 North or South as appropriate, and take exit 240. The Jesters Dinner Theatre is in “historic downtown Longmont”. There is a parking lot adjacent to the theatre.
Collect Theatre Performances!
Unlike movies, live theatre is dynamic. Actors never play their role the same way twice – they may have to ad lib if someone forgets a line (or accidentally runs into a tray of glasses off stage and creates a loud crash), and those ad libs can be in character or go for a laugh. Seeing the same production multiple times simply adds to the enjoyment, and seeing different productions of the same play allows one to appreciate the different interpretations that each actor brings to the role.
Read more reviews by Barbara Peterson, Rocky Mountain Theatre Reviewer.
