ANNIE Seeks New Leading Lady for Broadway Across America on Broadway Balances America

ANNIE, presented by Broadway Across America at the Old National Centre will take center stage on the award-winning morning show The Balancing Act on Lifetime Channel Tues., August 12.

The show hits the road to go on location in Manhattan as the touring production of ANNIE looks for its new leading lady in this first of a special six-part series, “Broadway Balances America.” The show will re-air Aug. 19.

Annie is part of the Broadway in Indianapolis 2014/2015 Broadway Series

“Broadway Balances America” provides behind-the-scenes excerpts and interviews highlighting the shows that are featured on Broadway Across America’s 2014-2015 Broadway series nationwide - from Boston to Costa Mesa, from Houston to Minneapolis, and everywhere in between. The Balancing Act’s hosts get up close and personal with the casts and crews, even experiencing what it’s like to dance in their shoes.
In this segment, special correspondent Amber Milt takes viewers to Pearl Studios in Manhattan where young hopefuls are vying for the lead in the upcoming touring revival of ANNIE, the musical that tells the beloved story Little Orphan Annie. The ANNIE segment puts a spotlight on young kids and their parents going through the audition process to show what it takes to play one of Broadway’s most cherished roles, and how families keep the balance in their lives with child actors.

Viewers will get a glimpse of one young lady’s dreams coming true as Charnin offers her the coveted role of Annie. The young actress also makes a special guest appearance at The Balancing Act studios where the casting of the new touring production’s “Orphans” will be exclusively revealed.

ANNIE’s Martin Charnin, Lyricist/Director, and co-creator and original director of ANNIE in 1977, Liza Gennaro, Choreographer and Joy Dewing, Casting Director share what they look for in the auditions and famed Broadway animal trainer William Berloni talks about what he looks for when the young ladies audition with their furry co-star, “Sandy”. 

About The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television:

Now in its 7th year, The Balancing Act continues to empower women in all aspects of their lives. The mission at The Balancing Act is simple - the show strives to help today’s modern woman balance it all by bringing them positive solutions to enrich and empower them. Entertaining, educational and trusted by women, viewers can tune in to America’s premier morning show The Balancing Act on weekday mornings at 7:00 am (ET/PT) airing on Lifetime television. For information or to view a segment visit: TheBalancingAct.com

To learn more about the Broadway Balances America series, visit

BroadwayBalancesAmerica.com

About Broadway Across America:

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA is part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies, which includes Broadway.com . BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring musicals and plays in North America, operating in 40 markets. For more information please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com

Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Broadway Across America Indianapolis 2014 - 2015 Season Schedule

The Illusionists

If you have been one of the patrons who was rather underwhelmed with the last couple of seasons' offerings from Broadway Across America Indianapolis, this line up might change your view. The 2014 - 2015 schedule shares magic, naughty dance moves and Santa's helpers.

The shows I am looking forward to the most, I admit, are The Illusionists (loved the movie and love magic), Mamma Mia! ~ one of my favorite of all time with Broadway Across America, and Dirty Dancing. I cannot wait to see the choreography on that one.

Which ones are you looking forward , which are done too often and which would you like to see hit our stages in Indy? Let me know in the comments section.

2014 - 2015 Season Schedule

MAMMA MIA!

October 3-5 2014

Clowes Memorial Hall

MAMMA MIA! is the ultimate feel-good show that has audiences coming back again and again 

to relive the thrill. Now it’s your turn to have the time of your life at this smash-hit musical that 

combines ABBA’s greatest hits, including “Dancing Queen,” “S.O.S.,” “Super Trouper,” “Take 

A Chance on Me” and “The Winner Takes It All,” with an enchanting tale of love, laughter and 

friendship. Whether it’s your first visit or your 14th, see the show that has the whole world 

coming back for more, because every time feels like the first time at MAMMA MIA!

ELF THE MUSICAL

December 16-21

2014 Old National Centre 

ELF is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag 

of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. With Santa’s permission, 

Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, 

and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

THE ILLUSIONISTS

January 20-25, 2015
Old National Centre 

Direct from Broadway, the world’s best selling magic show is coming to Indianapolis. 

This mind blowing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of seven of the most 

incredible Illusionists on earth.

ANNIE

February 24-March 1, 2015
Old National Centre
Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin and choreographed by Liza Gennaro, this production of ANNIE will be a brand new incarnation of the iconic original.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

April 7-12, 2015

Clowes Memorial Hall 

One of the most enduring shows of all time, Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber’s JOSEPH AND 

THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is the irresistible family musical about the trials 

and triumphs of Joseph, Israel’s favorite son.

DIRTY DANCING

June 9-14, 2015
Clowes Memorial Hall 

DIRTY DANCING – THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE tells the classic story of Baby and

Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds who come together in what

will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.

DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

May 1-3, 2015
Clowes Memorial Hall 

The romantic Broadway musical for all generations, Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, this classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and 

costumes, and dazzling production numbers.

Season Tickets
 BroadwayInIndianapolis.com. 

MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN: Order before May 9, 2014 and make three easy monthly payments.

Tickets for individual shows are not available yet and typically go on sale 4-6 weeks prior to the show. 

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Catch her as Indy’s Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS). Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, and in magazines. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Beef and Boards: Annie

With reports of the recession filling the newspapers and airwaves with disheartening information, it’s nice to get a shot of optimism. Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, 9301 N. Michigan Street, provides just that in the form of Annie. Everyone’s favorite orphan needs no explanation or introduction, unless you have been out of the loop since its conception in the funny pages.

Just in case, a little history. Little Orphan Annie, created by Harold Gray, first appeared in 1924. The character’s name was fashioned after Indiana’s own James Whitcomb Riley’s poem Little Orphant Annie. The Broadway version won seven Tony Awards. The movie version starred Albert Finney, Carol Burnett and Aileen Quinn playing the little redheaded orphan.

Following a contest with the winner being chosen American Idol-style, the title character was portrayed by Kara Oates. Oates put forth a performance of sweetness backed up by two fists of feistiness. The best song performed by this pint-sized lead was Maybe, followed by her performance with the rest of the orphans singing It’s the Hard-Knock Life.
Ty Stover turned in a strong performance as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, with his best time in the spotlight occurring with his interactions with Annie. Last seen in this role in 2002, Stover most recently portrayed Old Deuteronomy in B&B’s Cats. Proving his talents are more than just his soothing baritone voice, Stover bared his gentler, sensitive side in this musical. Nice touch; keeps the audience on its toes in regard to this actor’s untapped abilities. These two vastly different performances of Stover’s garner even more of my respect and creates a wish to see him in more complicated roles in the future.

Miss Hannigan, played well by Cynthia Collins, connects solidly with Jeff Stockberger as Rooster. Easy Street was nicely done, with help from Carol Worcell as Lily St. Regis.

Kenny Shepard once again proved his worth by taking on numerous roles throughout the show, including emcee beforehand. Shepard’s characters were each a complete transformation from the prior, including mannerisms, voice and costume.

Had he spent even one instant longer on stage than he did, John Vessels would have completely snatched the thunder away from every other cast member. Known in Indianapolis for his work as the good Reverend Oglethorpe in the packed-house Smoke on the Mountain saga, Vessels upstages the rest of the cast with his perfectly-timed deadpan style. Setting the bar higher for the rest, while portraying the valued butler Drake, as well as radio announcer Bert Healy, Vessels got the most reaction from audience members and steps into this week’s Gotta Go spotlight’s high beam. The only error made in regard to Vessels is director Eddie Curry not using him onstage far more.
Bottom Line: B&B has put forth the classic, Annie, in such a way that it should become an annual tradition for the entire family.

If you have an event, restaurant or festival you would like reviewed, send an e-mail to commnews@in-motion.net or call 241-7363. Me, I will be right here just thinking about Tomorrow.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, theater critic, and travel writer. You can now follow her on facebook or Twitter and catch her as Indy's Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC's Saturday Morning News Show, giving her quick Gotta Go list of things to do in the Indy area, including restaurants, festivals, events, theater and films.

*Send requests to Elizabeth@gottago.us.
*Photos courtesy of www.juliecurryphotography.com
*Visit www.beefandboards.com for tickets, show times, and details.

--This post was originally published under Gotta Go in the West Side Community News in Indianapolis, and the West Indianapolis Community News.