'Annie Jr.' headed to the Arcada Theatre

ST. CHARLES – The Marquee Youth Stage performance of "Annie Jr." is headed to the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles.

Fifty-one actors from the western suburbs, ages 6 to 16, will bring the play to life. The performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19 and at 3 p.m. Aug. 20 and 21 at the theater, which is at 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. For information, visit www.marqueeyouth.org.

Connie Flores is directing this production, and is no stranger to the youth ensemble, having directed several children's musicals and plays in the past five years.

"My choice for doing Annie Jr. snuck up on me with the song 'Tomorrow'underscoring in my mind since last summer," Flores said in a news release. "Each time I heard it, I clung to the message of the song because I too need to believe in brighter days to come. It’s amazing how the power of words can move us; the lyrics of 'Tomorrow' can be a kinetic force that adds a spring to our step. After about the 30th time it played in my mind, I decided that that this was going to be the musical debut for MY Stage."

Annie will be played by South Elgin resident Kaelyn Harvey, having recently appeared in Haines Middle School's production of Sleeping Beauty. This will be her first major role.

Joey Petersen of St. Charles is playing the role of Oliver Warbucks. He has been in several of Flores' productions, most recently playing The Cat in the Hat in Seussical Jr.

One of the oldest members of the cast, Laura Sanderson, is starring as Miss Hannigan. She previously played in this spring's St. Charles East's production of Curtains.

"I feel honored to play a fun and evil character," Sanderson said. "Villains are always the best parts!"

The Annie Jr. cast includes residents from "far away" and "maybe real nearby." Elburn: Isabella Lundborg, Geneva: Jill Danklefsen, Megan Styrna, Schaumburg: Margie Vollkommer, Mia Vollkommer South Elgin: Katey Angelo, Kaelyn Harvey, Kaylyn Pingel St. Charles: Melina Bielski, Sebastian Bielski, Margaret Bronec, Molly Bronec, Ashley Bruns, Natalie Cerrone, Caitlin Concannon, Elyssa Cruz, Karlie Custer, Nikole Custer, Katie Das, Kristen Das, Harlan Duffy, Devin Flores, Grace Johnson, Griffin Johnson, Liam Johnson, Miranda Keigher, Regan McGrath, Emma Meyer, Jessica Meyer, Lily Neville, Luke Neville, Allison Nolan, Phoebe Okicich, Zoe Okicich, Joey Petersen, Alyssa Robinson, Laura Sanderson, Samantha Schultz, Erica Sieck, Jessica Sieck, Meagan Smith, Jayden Steinke, Maya Steinke, Emma Walsh, Tess Walsh, Allison Warden, Grace Williams, Paige Woeste, Mary Emma Zimmerman, Olivia Zimmerman, Sugar Grove: Maggie Madziarczyk.

The director is Flores, assistant vocal director is Aurora resident Emily Fagan, and choreographer is Sugar Grove resident Marin Lehman.