LYNNWOOD—Seattle Children’s Performers Children’s Theater Group, in partnership with Edmonds’ Ballyhoo Theater,opened with their production of the beloved musical Annie on Friday, December 12, at Edmonds College’s Black Box Theater in Lynnwood. The production continues this weekend through Sunday, December 21.
The multiple Tony Award-winning musical, which opened in 1977 in New York City’s Broadway district, follows the story of 11-year-old Annie, an orphan living in 1930’s New York City beset on tracking down her birth parents but, in so doing, finds an unlikely family with billionaire Oliver Warbucks. The original Broadway musical, written by Charles Strouse, was inspired by the Little Orphan Annie comic strip written by Harold Gray which, in turn, was inspired by Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist.
When the musical first opened, it was met with resounding success and ran on Broadway for six years straight, setting a record for the Alvin Theater at the time. It has since been adapted into several films and has been performed across the world.
Seattle Performers and Ballyhoo Theater’s production of Annie is a family friendly musical bringing together three local families to act on stage together, one being Edmonds School Board Director Hawk Cramer playing the part of Mr. Warbucks, alongside his daughter Beatrice Cramer, who plays one of the two Annies in the production.
This multi-generational cast, which features over 40 adults and children, offers a unique experience for the young thespians – being able to act alongside some of their teachers at Seattle Performers.
Edmonds School Board Director Cramer returns to the stage after a 40 year pause after performing Billy Bigalow in Carousel in 1985.
“When your 8th grade daughter asks you to do something with her, you say yes,” said Cramer on why he decided to return to acting now, of all times.
Off the stage, Cramer is a teacher at Snohomish School District’s Valleyview Middle School in addition to sitting on the Edmonds School District’s Board of Directors.
Cramer’s daughter, Beatrice (Bea), said playing Annie was a “dream come true,” having dreamt of playing the part since the age of three.
Prior to assuming the role of the tenacious red-headed protagonist, Beatrice has played Susan Waverly in the 5th Avenue Production of White Christmas, Fiona in Seattle’s Performers production of Shrek, Bea in Seattle’s Performers production of Something’s Rotten, and Pinocchio in Village Theater’s Kidstage production of Shrek. When she’s not winning the audience’s hearts over with her singing, dancing, and acting skills, Beatrice loves playing softball for her middle school team.
Also taking on the role of Annie is Farah Halverson from Richmond Beach. Since the role of Annie is so large, and with multiple shows a day, Halverson and Cramer alternate performances.
Halverson has experience performing at the Taproot Theatre Co., Edmonds Heights Performing Arts, and Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE.
Other notable castmates include Jason Aillaud, who plays Roosevelt the Dog Cather, his daughter Esme Aillaud, who plays Kate, and his son Elliot Aillaud, who plays multiple parts including Apple Seller, Howe, NYC Ensemble, and more.
Jason Aillaud, who is making his musical debut with Annie, said he is “overjoyed at the, possibly, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform with both his kids.”
Aillaud’s performing arts career kickstarted with playing tenor saxophone in the University of Arizona Marching Band and various campus bands. For his day job, Aillaud serves as Edmonds School District’s Executive Director of Student Learning.
Aillaud’s seventh-grade son and co-star, Elliot, began acting four years ago. He has previously assumed the roles of Randolph McAfee in 5th Avenue’s production of Bye Bye Birdie.
Esme, Aillaud’s nine-year-old daughter and brother to Elliot, has been active in several Seattle Performers, notably as Charlie in Charlie in the Chocolate Factory and Young Anna in Frozen Jr. In her free time, Esme likes to craft, write songs, and design dresses.
Most of the performers are from the South Snohomish County and North King County areas, as both Ballyhoo Theatre and Seattle Performers rehearse in the Town Center at Lake Forest Park.
Tickets for Annie can be purchased at: https://seattlesperformers.com/buy-tickets
Author: Kienan Briscoe
