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Arts & Entertainment

SOOP Theatre Company Presents "Annie, Jr."

With just four weeks from casting to curtain, the aptly named SOOP Theatre Company – an acronym for Seat Of Our Pants – is hard at work polishing the acts of the orphans and villains in their Broadway Junior version of the musical “Annie.”  Following the success of SOOP’s first mainstage production “Thirteen” in the fall, the group has attracted more than 60 talented young actors from Pelham and beyond to bring the Broadway tale of the rags-to-riches orphan to life.  “Annie, Jr.” packs all the songs and spunk of 1977’s original “Annie” into a slightly shorter, more kid-friendly production.

Paul Romanello, SOOP’s director and professional working actor, has assembled an impressive team of theater professionals, including award-winning Musical Director Dan Radzikowski and Choreographer Lena Gilbert.  Both Mr. Radzikowski and Ms. Gilbert have taught their crafts at some of New York City’s most prestigious universities and academies for the arts.  With a tight rehearsal schedule and a team of working theater professionals at the helm, SOOP provides local kids with a theater experience on par with NYC, without the commute.  Over the course of the four week production schedule, SOOP’s young actors are committed to being on time, in character, and off book on schedule.

Everything about this “Annie, Jr.” production is strictly professional – even Annie’s dog Sandy.  The role of Sandy will be played by Oliver, a canine thespian trained by Bill Berloni, the professional animal trainer who trained the dog playing Sandy in the original Broadway version of “Annie.”  Mr. Berloni, an ASPCA Humanitarian Award winner will be on hand for a book signing at The Manor Club during Sunday’s 2 p.m. performance on May 22.  Mr. Berloni donates proceeds from his book to The Sandy Fund, and to The Humane Society of New York.

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“Annie, Jr.” will be performed at The Manor Club, 1023 Esplanade, in Pelham Manor. 

Showtimes are: (Cast A) Friday, May 20 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 21 at 2 p.m.  (Cast B) Saturday, May 21 at 7 p.m. and Sunday May 22 at 2 p.m. 

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For tickets, call Smarttix at 212-868-4444 or visit www.smarttix.com.  All tickets are $18.

For more information, contact Paul Romanello at info@sooptheatre.org or 914-924-5051.

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