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OHIO’s Lancaster Theatre is ringing in the holiday season with a beloved family classic, “Annie,” the Tony Award–winning musical with a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. Presented as a true community collaboration, this year’s production unites OHIO Lancaster with partners from The Lancaster Playhouse and the Garrett Players of the Fairfield County Library, marking the fourth year of this intergenerational tradition.

Performances of “Annie” will take place Dec. 3–7 at the Wagner Theater.

This annual gathering was first envisioned by Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts Assistant Professor of Instruction and Producing Artistic Director of Theatre at OHIO’s Lancaster campus, A. Victor Jones, who sought to merge the strengths of each organization to deliver a high-quality holiday production for the community. Each year’s direction rotates among the collaborating groups, and for this fourth installment, Jones selected the quintessential family favorite Annie to take center stage.

“It’s cross-pollination, and actors are actors,” John Pekar of the Lancaster Playhouse said about the multi-generational experience. “I have a blast working with these kids. I'm 73, and they treat me like I'm 13, which is fantastic because…the fact people are coming together, whether it's part of the crew, whether it's actors, whether it's ushers. Everybody's got a role to play, [it’s] phenomenal.”

For Tiona Taylor, a first-year student at OHIO Lancaster intending on majoring in theater, this isn’t her first production, having previously acted with the Lancaster Playhouse.

“But this is different because I'm a student, and we have to do everything,” Taylor, who is playing several ensemble roles, including her favorite ‘A Star to Be,’ said.“We're doing the set, we're doing mics, we're doing lighting and acting. It’s amazing, it’s difficult…but it's so rewarding. I feel like a leader.”

David Duffey is a second-year student in atmospheric science and meteorology but is now considering a change of major to theater because of what an impact it’s had on his life. He’s covering multiple bases in “Annie,” playing several roles in the ensemble, while also running the lighting board. 

“I wanted to have more backstage experience. I've done only three shows prior to this one, and been a lead on stage, but I didn’t know anything about backstage,” Duffey said. “I never had to build a set. I never had to move things around backstage. I never had to hit a button for anything. And so doing this for the first time…I've learned a lot!” 

“Annie”may be best known though for its titular character and cast of orphans. Corrine Siler-Wurst of Bloom Carrol Middle School plays the lead character with professionalism and maturity that has impressed her fellow cast members. 

According to Siler-Wurst, her favorite scenes are “when I get to interact with the orphans because we get to be like sisters and push each other around and it's kind of fun…because I don't really have sisters, so we get to like fight with each other and stuff.” 

As for working on a large community production with Jones as director, Siler-Wurst loves it. 

“He pushes me to be my best actor I can be, and my voice has gotten so much better,” she said. “I’ve just become such a better actor with his coaching.” 

Praise for Jones’ collaborative style of working is a regular occurrence amongst students and community members. For Taylor, she enjoys being pushed to be her best. 

“He challenges you,” Taylor added. “And you become a better actor and singer because of it. He’s great. He is one of the best directors I've worked with.”

According to Marilyn Steiner of the Garret Players, there is pride in building a community you get to then share with the broader community.  

“The fact that we are collaborating and have brought three different audiences together in one place…this family show…really has brought generations together and just people of all ages together,” Steiner said. “It's fantastic because in the [green room] dance studio where the ladies are, we’ve got women and girls from the ages 7 to 75 together in that space. And it's just so sweet to see them together. They're writing notes to each other thanking them or telling them they're doing a good job…So, it's been wonderful. It really has.”

Steiner also helped to recruit possibly the second most important role in the play, Sandy the dog, performed by 9-year-old golden-doodle Zeke, with help from his owner/handler Mike Willams.

“We have children and we have a dog,” Steiner said. “And fantastic music, songs that [are] going to evoke memories…to see it on stage live with the group of kids that we have is fantastic.” 

Pekar and Jones agree that the talent amongst the youngest actors in this cast is special. 

“They're young children with a lot of energy,” said Pekar. “It gave me sort of a renewed faith in young people that I'm not sure I had before. I’ve not run into a kid yet that has not been respectful. That's the best takeaway for me, quite honestly. And they know their lines. They know every word!”

“They were off book before all of us older folks,” Jones added. “Some of us still sneak our lines. And Annie was off book on day three or four.”  

The multigenerational cast is a strength for Taylor too. 

“Lancaster has a thriving theater community, and the adults are people to look up to,” Taylor said. “They know what they're doing. And the kids, I mean, come on, kid actors and singers, like, it doesn't get better than that. They're amazing!”

Tickets for “Annie” at the Wagner Theater on the ������Ƶ Lancaster campus are available by visiting /lancaster/community/theatre.