30 kids give life to 'Annie Jr.' on Theatre Macon stage

Little Orphan Annie has stolen hearts for decades. Now, with "Annie Jr.," director Christopher Freeman and the Youth Actors Company of Theatre Macon are bringing the show to life on stage.

"This show is an adaptation of the film, 'Annie,'" Freeman said. "We start off in an orphanage in the 1930s during the height of the Great Depression. We follow Annie, an 11-year-old girl who runs away from the orphanage, but gets caught. She ends up visiting billionaire Oliver Warbucks for Christmas, who is likely using Annie as a PR stunt. We see Warbucks transform from a ruthless businessman into someone who is a father figure. We see their trials and tribulations as they go forth searching for Annie's real parents. It has all of the beloved characters that everyone remembers."

Freeman said he "grew up with" Theatre Macon. After receiving a degree in theater management from Columbus State University, he spent a few years doing different management and acting jobs.

This summer, Freeman helped Theatre Macon put on a 10-week summer camp for kids ages 5-18.

"From there, Jim Crisp, artistic director at Theatre Macon, approached me and asked if I'd be interested in directing 'Annie Jr.' These kids are super talented and very professional during rehearsals. We are down to the final steps before we present this, and everyone is going to be very impressed at the quality of the show," he said.

Playing the title character of Annie is Mia Pendergast, a 10-year-old student at Montessori of Macon.

"She has been doing shows with Theatre Macon since she was 6," Freeman said. "This is her first major role. She has stepped up to the plate. The most impressive thing is watching her grow and develop not only as this character, but as a person as well. We couldn't have picked a better Annie."

Jack Finkelstein plays Oliver Warbucks.

"He has been doing YAC productions for a while now. He is a student Central High School and he grows in every single rehearsal. His abilities are very impressive. He has really grown as both a person and as an actor," he said. "When we were deciding on this cast, we knew that Jack would try 110 percent to bring his best to the stage and we knew that he deserved this role. He is giving it all he's got and he is doing an amazing job."

The 30-member cast ranges in age from 6-17 and Freeman said the group "has a blast at every rehearsal. We really strive to make things fun and as unstressful as possible. I want them to look back at this and remember it with pride and fondness. I think we can see that already in rehearsals. It's fantastic to see these kids light up when they do something better than they've done before."

"Annie Jr."

When: 8 p.m. Oct. 30 and Nov. 6-7, 2:30 p.m. Nov. 1 and 8

Where: Theatre Macon, 438 Cherry St.

Cost: $18 adults, $12 children and students through age 22

Information: www.theatremacon.com; 478-746-9485

This story was originally published October 29, 2015 at 4:32 PM with the headline "30 kids give life to 'Annie Jr.' on Theatre Macon stage ."