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Annie at Theatre in the Park

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Annie, the beloved musical about the "glass half full" red-headed orphan, opens at Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park this week! KCParent.com will be celebrating Opening Night on June 25th with a GREAT Giveaway as five members of the audience will win gift baskets valued at over $100 each. We're also giving away FREE Tickets to Theatre in the Park on Fridays on our Facebook Page. The show will be June 25-27, and July 1-3. In anticipation of the show, we interviewed Andrea Strickler who plays Annie, and her friend Lindsey Hart, cast as fellow-orphan, Kate.

    Nine-year-old Lindsey Hart, of Olathe, started acting two years ago at the Culture House. Since then, she's been in The Music Man at Starlight, Sound of Music at the New Theatre Restaurant, and It's a Wonderful Life at the American Heartland Theater. This year, she auditioned in February for a role in the much-anticipated musical Annie. Lindsey was cast as one of Annie's friends in the orphanage, Kate.

    Lindsey's entire family, including grandparents, are coming to the show, and like Lindsey her family loves the entire story of Annie. Lindsey says, "The music and dancing are fun for the whole family and it's really great to see children and adults acting together in one show."

    Next we spoke with Annie, herself, played by Andrea Strickler, also of Olathe. Twelve-year-old Andrea is thrilled to play her first starring role with such an iconic and optimistic part. Andrea has been acting with CYT since age 8, and with sixteen shows under her belt, she is excited about her Theatre in the Park debut. Andrea auditioned for the part upon a recommendation by her voice teacher, and was very excited to be chosen for the starring role. Andrea loves acting alongside adults, and she's especially learned a lot from David Stelting, who plays Daddy Warbucks, and his dog, Mandy, playing the part of Annie's four-legged best friend, Sandy.

   Andrea says the entire show is great fun for the family, but her favorite parts are the first big ensemble at the orphanage as the girls perform, "Hard Knock Life" and the finale ensemble with the whole cast. The songs, "I Don't Need Anything But You," and "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here" are her favorites.

   Annie is a musical for the whole family. Andrea admires Annie's optimistic attitude and the way she stays positive even when things are tough. Her mother, Josie, says, "The family bond between Annie and Daddy Warbucks is wonderful. They really love and respect each other. It is a story of family and hope."

    Both girls offer advice to Kansas City kids interested in theater. Lindsey says, "Never give up. If you don't get a role, look forward to the next opportunity. And, always have fun on the stage." Andrea also says, "Don't be afraid to go for it. Do your best no matter what and never give up." Andrea's mother, Josie, offers this advice for parents, "Give your children a chance to explore theater at a young age through VBS, CYT, or other programs. Encourage a love of theater. It really helps with social skills and confidence."

    We congratulate both girls for their hard work and perseverance and we'll be in the audience cheering on opening night of Annie!

Bonus Tips for Fun at Theatre in the Park:

Cast Photo used above:

Photo by Susannah Hart. In Photo - 1st Row: Anna Hastings (Molly); Lindsey Hart (Kate)

2nd Row: Maycee Steele (Tessie);Elizabeth Cox (Duffy); Andrea Strickler (Annie); Mattie Bell (July); Amanda Burns (Pepper)

Photo of Annie & Daddy Warbucks: Photo by Bob Compton. In photo - Andrea Strickler and David Stelting

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