ADRIAN — A beloved classic of the stage comes to the Croswell Opera House this month when the theater presents “Annie.”

The Croswell’s production opens Aug. 8 and runs for two weekends.

The 1976 musical, which is based on the comic strip “Little Orphan Annie,” tells the story of an orphan in Depression-era New York who finds a new home when she is adopted by the wealthy Oliver Warbucks. It includes well-known songs like “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life.”

The role of Annie is played by Caroline Hubbard, an 11-year-old from Chelsea. Although this is her first Croswell show, she has been dancing since age 3 and has appeared in numerous productions at southeast Michigan theaters, including as Susan Waverly in “White Christmas” at the Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter. At the age of 5, she was one of two girls chosen to play Lulu, the daughter of the main character in “Waitress,” when that show’s first national tour came to the Fisher Theater in 2019.

The other orphans include Charlotte Teall Beaver of Ann Arbor as Pepper; Zariah Blackmon of Adrian as July; Piper Dillon of Sylvania as Tessie; Parker Hinshaw of Ottawa Hills, Ohio, as Duffy; Alayna Brazzil of Holland, Ohio, as Kate; and Maddox Reitz of Sylvania as the littlest orphan, Molly. In the orphan ensemble are Makenzie Gonzalez and Genesis Mutatu of Adrian; Olivia Grzebik of Clinton; Cora Kepler of Dundee; Vivienne Taylor of Ottawa Lake; Clara Ross of Tecumseh; Sunny Barson of Ypsilanti; Adalyn Brazzil of Holland, Ohio;  and Giuliana Kozak and Ryelee Pickett of Toledo.

Elizabeth Mitchell of Van Buren Township plays Miss Hannigan, the child-hating matron of the orphanage. Ward Ensign of Toledo is the millionaire Oliver Warbucks, and Emma Skaggs of Perrysburg is Warbucks’ secretary, Grace Farrell.

The ne’er-do-wells Rooster Hannigan and Lily St. Regis, who impersonate Annie’s parents, are played by Steven Kiss of Temperance and Cassidy Giddens of Adrian. 

Filling out the cast in a variety of roles are Virginia Atkinson, Kimberly Blackmon, Haylie Blohm, Madelyn Bowman, Tyler Condon, Tiah Davis-Mutatu, Christopher Harlan, Shannah Mutatu, and Astrid Thomas, all of Adrian; Mitchell LaRoy of Blissfield; Peter Kepler of Dundee; Lane Hakel of Hudson; Morgan Decker of Ottawa Lake; Julia Kirn and Abigail Van Camp of Tecumseh; Emily Damschroder and Brian Jones of Maumee, Ohio; and Chris Stack of Toledo.

The production is helmed by Kirsten Hinshaw, who is making her Croswell directorial debut but is well known to Toledo-area theater fans as the director of performing arts at St. Ursula Academy. The choreographer is Dom Glover, the vocal director of Wynne Marsh, and the live orchestra will be conducted by Ray Novak.

Tickets to “Annie” range from $26 to $46 for adults, $16 to $26 for students, and may be ordered online at croswell.org or by calling 517-264-7469. 

The Croswell reminds theatergoers that it does not sell tickets through any third-party sites, and will never sell tickets for more than the advertised price. 

Dates and times are:

• Friday, Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 9 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 10 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 16 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 17 at 2:30 p.m.

Up next

Coming up this fall at the Croswell:

“Parade” — Sept. 12-21. Based on a true story, “Parade” follows Jewish newlyweds Leo and Lucille Frank as they struggle to make a life in 1913 Georgia. When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable and brutal test of faith. A story of religious intolerance, political injustice and racial tension, “Parade”was nominated for nine Tony Awards, winning three. The Croswell’s production is directed by Michael Yuen and features Matthew Porter of Adrian as Leo Frank.

“Bonnie & Clyde” — Oct. 17-26. This cult-favorite Broadway musical retells the true story of America’s most infamous couple, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, the ill-fated lovers and outlaws whose story has been legendary since they achieved folk hero status during the Great Depression. Emma Skaggs of Perrysburg, Ohio, plays Bonnie and Kevin Ludwig of Monclova, Ohio, plays Clyde. The production is directed by Debra Ross Calabrese.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” — Nov. 21 to Dec. 7. This contemporary take on the classic tale features new characters, a hilarious libretto, surprising twists, and an unforgettable score. Ally Szymanski of Adrian plays the title role, and the production is directed by Ron Baumanis.