July 16, 2010
Huntington Outdoor Theatre Featuring "Annie"
By Sandee Lloyd
Summer is in full swing which means the Ritter Park Amphitheatre is alive with the sounds of Huntington Outdoor Theatre's newest production. The beloved play "Annie" is this year's feature, along with the preshow "A Touch of Broadway."
Huntington Outdoor Theatre is a family affair, with Helen Freeman as Artistic
Director, her husband Steven D. Freeman as Technical Director, Lighting Designer
and Stage Manager, and their sons Steven M. as Assistant Stage Manager and Deck
Crew Head and Zachary on the Deck Crew. Throughout the years many family groups
have been involved both on stage and behind the scenes and there are always sets
of siblings or family groups in the cast.
Watching Helen work with the cast is incredible. On an early runthrough at the park the orphans were having trouble staying in character and Helen used her own brand of tough love to whip them into shape. I would have been in tears, but the actors listened and did what she asked. After a couple of tries the improvement was so great that she lavished praise on them and they have maintained that level of performing ever since. Helen is passionate about theatre and her love shines through in every production. She always gets outstanding performances from her actors.
This year is no exception. "Annie" is a delightful play with stellar actors. Lydia Waybright as Annie charms her way into everyone's hearts with her heartfelt rendition of "Tomorrow" and "Maybe." The orphans sing and dance, cartwheel and fight with joyous abandon. Annie's dog Sandy is played by Lydia's beautiful dog Gracie, who handles her role perfectly.
It takes a very brave and secure adult actor to perform with children and a dog, but many H.O.T. veterans are once again lighting up the stage with outstanding performances. Mary Olson is wonderfully sinister as Miss Hannigan, the head of the orphanage who can't stand children, while being tormented by them. "Easy Street" sung and danced by Mary, Mark Radford (Rooster) and Angela Hunt (Lily St. Regis) is fun, with Lily searching for stealable items and Miss Hannigan taking them back.
Paul Neace, who bravely shaved off his curly hair to play Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks, is excellent in the role. He and Annie have chemistry that comes through onstage. Initially cool toward Annie because he wanted a boy orphan as a houseguest, Warbucks eventually warms up and falls in love with her. His assistant, Grace, played by the lovely and multitalented Jessica Maier, helps Annie win his heart.
All of the cast is wonderful, but Angie Jolicoeur as Mrs. Pugh often steals the show with her facial expressions and gestures while sitting on a couch in Warbucks' home.
Helen uses the outdoor setting to great effect by having actors enter and exit via the center stairs to/from the top of the amphitheatre, backlighting them as they go.
The New York backdrop giving the illusion of the city at night is stunning and the actors make you feel as if you're really there.
Mark Smith and his orchestra and Kerri Easter Stambaugh's choreography add the finishing touches to this delightful play.
Starting off each evening is the preshow "A Touch of Broadway" featuring songs from each of the previous plays H.O.T. has presented. Every member of the cast gets at least one solo and also sings and dances in the ensemble. Kerri Easter Stambaugh directed and choreographed the preshow, with the assistance of Cody Verbage and Randy Easter.
Many of the members of the preshow cast are also in "Annie" which shows how talented and versatile these actors are. The preshow is a high energy song and dance fest, followed by the equally energetic "Annie," and the actors maintain their energy and enthusiasm throughout.
Massey Energy generously presented a check for $3,000 to H.O.T. to help purchase new equipment. H.O.T. is always trying to improve and greatly appreciates any donations.
Every night there is also a community preshow with current and past cast members often performing, along with dance schools and the occasional local celebrity. Each evening is different and always entertaining.
Ritter Park is a wonderful place to spend a summer evening of theatre. The gates open at 6:30 and you'll want to bring lawn chairs or a blanket for seating. Picnicking is encouraged, but there are concessions available. The preshow starts at 7:00, followed by the community preshow, with "Annie" beginning at 8:30. Tickets are $16 for adults, $15 for seniors 65 and older, $15 for children 5 to 12 and children under 5 get in free. Groups purchasing 20 or more tickets at a time pay $15 each. The remaining dates for the performances are July 16, 17, 18 and July 23, 24, and 25.
For information about H.O.T., visit their website at www.hotwv.org.
The pictures accompanying this article show Helen receiving the check from Massey Energy, Paul Neace with and without hair, and the casts of the preshow and "Annie." These and more pictures are available at http://lloydphotography.ifp3.com.
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By Sandee Lloyd
Summer is in full swing which means the Ritter Park Amphitheatre is alive with the sounds of Huntington Outdoor Theatre's newest production. The beloved play "Annie" is this year's feature, along with the preshow "A Touch of Broadway."
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Watching Helen work with the cast is incredible. On an early runthrough at the park the orphans were having trouble staying in character and Helen used her own brand of tough love to whip them into shape. I would have been in tears, but the actors listened and did what she asked. After a couple of tries the improvement was so great that she lavished praise on them and they have maintained that level of performing ever since. Helen is passionate about theatre and her love shines through in every production. She always gets outstanding performances from her actors.
This year is no exception. "Annie" is a delightful play with stellar actors. Lydia Waybright as Annie charms her way into everyone's hearts with her heartfelt rendition of "Tomorrow" and "Maybe." The orphans sing and dance, cartwheel and fight with joyous abandon. Annie's dog Sandy is played by Lydia's beautiful dog Gracie, who handles her role perfectly.
It takes a very brave and secure adult actor to perform with children and a dog, but many H.O.T. veterans are once again lighting up the stage with outstanding performances. Mary Olson is wonderfully sinister as Miss Hannigan, the head of the orphanage who can't stand children, while being tormented by them. "Easy Street" sung and danced by Mary, Mark Radford (Rooster) and Angela Hunt (Lily St. Regis) is fun, with Lily searching for stealable items and Miss Hannigan taking them back.
Paul Neace, who bravely shaved off his curly hair to play Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks, is excellent in the role. He and Annie have chemistry that comes through onstage. Initially cool toward Annie because he wanted a boy orphan as a houseguest, Warbucks eventually warms up and falls in love with her. His assistant, Grace, played by the lovely and multitalented Jessica Maier, helps Annie win his heart.
All of the cast is wonderful, but Angie Jolicoeur as Mrs. Pugh often steals the show with her facial expressions and gestures while sitting on a couch in Warbucks' home.
Helen uses the outdoor setting to great effect by having actors enter and exit via the center stairs to/from the top of the amphitheatre, backlighting them as they go.
The New York backdrop giving the illusion of the city at night is stunning and the actors make you feel as if you're really there.
Mark Smith and his orchestra and Kerri Easter Stambaugh's choreography add the finishing touches to this delightful play.
Starting off each evening is the preshow "A Touch of Broadway" featuring songs from each of the previous plays H.O.T. has presented. Every member of the cast gets at least one solo and also sings and dances in the ensemble. Kerri Easter Stambaugh directed and choreographed the preshow, with the assistance of Cody Verbage and Randy Easter.
Many of the members of the preshow cast are also in "Annie" which shows how talented and versatile these actors are. The preshow is a high energy song and dance fest, followed by the equally energetic "Annie," and the actors maintain their energy and enthusiasm throughout.
Massey Energy generously presented a check for $3,000 to H.O.T. to help purchase new equipment. H.O.T. is always trying to improve and greatly appreciates any donations.
Every night there is also a community preshow with current and past cast members often performing, along with dance schools and the occasional local celebrity. Each evening is different and always entertaining.
Ritter Park is a wonderful place to spend a summer evening of theatre. The gates open at 6:30 and you'll want to bring lawn chairs or a blanket for seating. Picnicking is encouraged, but there are concessions available. The preshow starts at 7:00, followed by the community preshow, with "Annie" beginning at 8:30. Tickets are $16 for adults, $15 for seniors 65 and older, $15 for children 5 to 12 and children under 5 get in free. Groups purchasing 20 or more tickets at a time pay $15 each. The remaining dates for the performances are July 16, 17, 18 and July 23, 24, and 25.
For information about H.O.T., visit their website at www.hotwv.org.
The pictures accompanying this article show Helen receiving the check from Massey Energy, Paul Neace with and without hair, and the casts of the preshow and "Annie." These and more pictures are available at http://lloydphotography.ifp3.com.
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