By DAVID DOW BENTLEY III
“The People’s Critic”
( Conroe COURIER 8-11-2002 )
In 1998 I had the pleasure of reviewing an “ANNIE”
that was one of the finest Class Act musicals I have ever seen. If that production
set a somewhat unattainable standard for excellence, it didn’t matter
a bit to the enthusiastic sell-out crowd at this week’s fun-filled opening
night of Class Act’s latest “Annie” incarnation.
On hand to warm up the audience before curtain
time was Class Act veteran, Lance Kramer. He caused a near riot when playfully
announcing that Brad Pitt had flown in from L.A. and was seated in the rear
of the audience. (Kramer was a standout in the ’98 “Annie”
production with a very convincing portrayal of Daddy Warbucks.)
The Woodlands High School graduate is now in the professional acting program
of the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts. Sandra Erlandson, lead
theater teacher at TWHS, was quoted a year ago saying, “[Lance] is the
best actor I have ever worked with in my 16 years of teaching theater at TWHS.
He has won more awards and honors than any other student in the history of
TWHS.” All of this is worth recounting because there is no doubt in my
mind that through the years it has been the hard work of Class Act’s
parents and production teams that has made this kind of success possible for
the many youngsters that participate.
The current “Annie,” directed by Class Act founder, Keith Brumfield
(with assistance from Leslie Reese), has much to offer. The fine pit orchestra
was conducted by Martin Van Maanen, and served to delicately compliment the
singers without ever overwhelming them. Frank “FB” Kern designed
the attractive sets that were well lit by Lighting Designer, Blake Minor.
The charming costume designs for over 50 characters were the work of Marie
Boleslawski, Linda Estrada, and Caroline Zirilli. Bonnie Schuetz and Leslie
Reese choreographed the many delightful dance sequences. Sound engineer, Alan
Haigood, must have come to the rescue when an amplifier momentarily failed
in the show’s opening moments.
In the title role there is a gentle sweetness from Jessica Frantz. She has
shining red hair, a winning smile, and a talent for communicating emotions
from joy to sorrow. Continued vocal training may bring her further success
in musicals. Megan Kane humorously portrays the very mean orphanage director,
Miss Hannigan. Kane, a Class Act veteran herself, has a comic flair that is
complemented by her fine singing voice. She has a great screaming voice, too,
but that is another story! Kane’s performance of “Little Girls”
showed her Red Hot Mama power in the high notes.
C.A. veteran, Ross Bautsch, portrays Oliver Warbucks with warmth and bluster
while bravely tackling the difficult vocal range required in many of Warbucks’
songs. Warbucks’ assistant, Grace, is depicted with suitable grace
and elegance by the vocally talented, Lindsay Gunther. Sandy (the dog) is
wonderfully played by “Callie,” an adopted pet belonging to cast
member, Caroline Hopkinson. If you haven’t seen Callie “sing”
the finale, you’re missing a great moment in theater! Better hurry over
to today’s final Montgomery College performance at the 2:30 p.m. matinee
(For reservations and information call 936-273-3395).
The orphans earn star billing early with the rowdy “It’s the Hard
Knock Life” number. And as for “stars,” let’s not forget
the outstanding choral ensemble that first show’s its skill in the tongue-in-cheek
Depression era number, “Hooverville.” The song is a great example
of fine singing as well as the kind of wit and humor that make this show such
a continuing winner. Yet another triumph for the choral ensemble was “I
Think I’m Gonna Like It Here,” with a strong performance from the
mansion staff and fine lead singing from Miss Gunther in a duet with Annie.
I wish I had the space here to name every youngster in the huge cast
for making the ensemble singing so enjoyable.
Smashing costumes prevail when Annie is taken to Best & Co. for her stunning
new red coat and dark purple velvet dress with matching beret. It reminded
me of how my mother used to neglect my brothers and I, while spoiling my three
sisters with an occasional outfit from Best’s! (Just kidding, Mom! I
bet you bought us something too, but who remembers?)
There is more costume fun in the sassy attire of Hannigan, the loud, purple
Zoot Suit of con artist, Rooster (Michael Stablein), and the floozy apparel
of his girlfriend, Lily (played for whiny, “dumb blonde” laughs
by Samantha Hardin). Kane leads the way in their jazzy trio of “Easy
Street,” and the enthusiastic audience burst into applause before the
three were done singing.
Act II opens with the amusing “Bert Healy Radio Show.” Dressed in
blue satin and polka dots, the Boylan sisters (Laura Estrada, Liz Porter,
and Karen Scherr) join Healy (talented Cam Bautsch, brother of Ross) in the
cheerful “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.” Things
get even better when the orphans reprise the number with wonderful, well-executed
choreography. The girls did a great job here, and one very young lady, Abbey
Moss, was dazzling in her desktop tap dance. She lit up the room in several
scenes, and I predict she may become a Class Act standout in years to come.
Another fine performance came from Mitch Mitchell as Franklin D. Roosevelt.
He brings us an FDR full of warmth, wisdom, and good humor. His Cabinet (humorously
played by Larson Mandeville, Liz Porter, Ian Ramirez, Ted Summers-Minette
and James Leighton) adds to the fun as they learn from Annie to look optimistically
through the Depression toward a better “Tomorrow.” Before they are
through, they invent the New Deal.
Ms. Frantz captures a crestfallen Annie’s heartbreak
as she learns her treasured locket is not a sufficient clue to her missing
parents. Rooster, Lily, and Hannigan try one last con job that fails; and
as children around the world all know, everything ends happily beneath
the Warbucks’ mansion Christmas tree. Cam Bautsch leads the servants
in the title tune, “Annie,” and is joined by Miss Gunther whose
voice here is as elegant as her stunning formal evening gown. The orphans
arrive in beautiful pastel frocks, and the full cast sings us homeward with
“New Deal For Christmas.” But no one left the theater before a long,
and much-deserved standing ovation!
E-mail comments for Mr. Bentley may be directed to: ThePeoplesCritic@earthlink.net
Visit the website at www.ThePeoplesCritic.com