Photo provided The cast of Bridgeport High School Theater Department’s production of the musical “Annie.”

BRIDGEPORT — The Bridgeport High School Theater Department is proud to present their 2017 musical production of the Broadway hit “Annie.” The spring musical will take place at 7 p.m. today and Saturday in the school cafetorium with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

The time is 1933 and it’s the depths of the Depression. Annie (11 years old) is living in the Municipal Orphanage on New York’s Lower East Side. Miss Hannigan is the principal in charge of the orphanage and needs no lessons on being compared to the wicked witch of the West. Annie decides to escape and try to find her parents. Naturally this proves unsuccessful. However, Grace Farrell, secretary to millionaire Oliver Warbucks, is searching for an orphan that she might invite back to the Warbucks’ household to celebrate Christmas.

Despite Warbucks’ initial disappointment that Grace had not found a boy, Oliver takes to Annie and institutes a nationwide search to try and find the little girl’s real parents. Miss Hannigan interferes and primes her brother Rooster and his girlfriend Lily, suggesting that they claim Annie as their daughter and thus the reward that goes with the information.

Meanwhile Annie is in Washington cheering up the president, Franklin D. Roosevelt. However, Rooster and Lily turn up at the Warbucks’ and claim Annie – and the reward. Grace, however, has seen Rooster at Miss Hannigan’s office and smells a rat. Subsequently the couple’s fraudulent claim is exposed – at the same time it is discovered that Annie’s parents had, in fact, died some time ago. Warbucks plans to adopt Annie, and her fellow orphans are invited back to the Warbucks’ home to share in the festival of Christmas – just as America looks forward to future prosperity in the wake of the Depression.

Actors in order of appearance include: Annie – Nikki Cook, Molly – Ella Molter, Pepper – Zoe Long, Duffy – Ashlynn Allen, July – Madison Criswell, Tessie – Mickayla McKeen, Kate – Jayla Finsley, Stella – Christa Nicola, Sarah – Breyonna Hall, Amelia and Assistant Dog Catcher – Paige Cuiksa, Lucy – Shyann Maag, Lizzie and Apple Seller – Markiee McCormick, Vivian – Emily Klempa, Lexi – Hannah Brewer, Myrtle – Aubriel Dodds, Madison – Daelyn Husarik, Lucielle – Faith Shoaf, Alice – Samantha Vaughn, Miss Hannigan – Deja Massey, Bundles and Judge Brandeis – Guy Pagano, Hooverville Citizen – Addy Terek, Sandy – Lola Krieger, Lt. Ward – Corey Meersseman, Grace – Vetra Foster, Drake – Justin McCormick, Mrs. Greer – Farah Hawk, Mrs. Pugh – Gwen Piegan, Cecille – Nichole Wilt, Annette – Destiny Harris, Servant – Mackenzie Craig, Oliver Warbucks – Jaylen Barnhart, Star to Be – Marissa Johnston, Tap Dancer – Kayla Nowakowski, Radio Announcer – Zach McKivigan, Rooster Hannigan – Ty Schambach, Lily St. Regis – Jaida Kusic, Bert Healy and Dog Catcher – Josh Freeman, Wacky – Damion Green, Bonnie Boylan – Karissa Eoff, Ronnie Boylan – Sierra Simeth, Connie Boylan and Servant – Hayley McFarland, Mr. Ickes – Mr. Rob Zitzelsberger, Mrs. Perkins – Miss Ashley Krieger, Mr. Hull – Mr. Lee Hines, Franklin Delano Roosevelt – Mr. Mackenzie Krieger, Mr. Howe – Mr. Jason Hanson and Mr. Morganthau – Mr. Jim Davenport.

Stage Manager Karissa Eoff leads the stage crew – Sydney Lough, Kiara Loughman, Autumn Myers, Tori Parsons, Mark Ruckman, Alison Walton, Jessica Weires, Haylee Conaway, Caleb Funkhouser, Zach McKivigan and Chuck Nicola. The musical is under the direction of Taylor Evans. She was assisted by Mackenzie Krieger, Ashley Krieger, Kylie Seevers and Genae Klempa.

There are two opportunities to catch one of the shows, and the public is invited to come and be entertained by the students and support the school’s theater program. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.