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.

Theater review: Cirque du Soleil Quidam

Target                                                                   Image/MattBeard

Aristic-athlete or athletic-artist, whichever term you care to use, it applies to the current offering in Indianapolis by Cirque du Soleil (French for "Circle of the sun"). The show's title, Quidam (key-DAM), is Latin for "someone" or "somebody" and reflects the nameless stranger you don't notice in everyday life, passing by on the street or elsewhere.
The story line takes bored Tween Zoe' on a surreal trip to a land that lies somewhere in the vicinity of Cat in the Hat meets Edward Scissorhands, complete with floating parents, headless characters and a general uneasiness as to where it will all lead. But lead Zoe it will, into a world that opens her mind to other possibilities than her rut-life existence at home.

Hand to hand                                                               Image/MattBeard

For those who have attended other Cirque performances, this one is slightly different. No trampolines, few acrobatics and fewer big power plays. Instead the movements are slow, calculated and complex. Detail to attention must be adhered by audience members or miss out on the magnificence of it all.

Not a flashy show, Quidam. This go round is an intensely, intricate show.

Witness the ability to master the laws of physics in Statue where two performers balance on each other with minimal contact. Rotating and maneuvering each other, the sheer amazement factor pulls you in.

Contortionist in Silk                                                        Image/AlSeib

The contortionist twists and manipulates her body high above safety's reach. Zipping toward the ground then pulling back just in time is equally as exciting as a man-eating tiger.

At first it is tempting to look around for a 13-man pyramid and brush off the quiet artists focusing on their intricate movements. Although the performed-live, Benoit Jutras written music is amped up, the show itself is quieter in comparison.

This touring show brings the audience to the forefront, and stage, much more so than other Cirque shows, with the difference being a more comedic touch, also. Creating an on stage scenario, with outrageous ad libs from the people "borrowed" from their seats, the hilarity proved one of the audience favorites.

Bottom Line: As one of its earlier shows, Quidam demonstrates an intense, yet subtle version of Cirque du Soleil's magnificent creativity.

For tickets, directions and details, visit BankersLifeFieldhouse.com.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her new column, Infused, at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com, and as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Gotta Go is published on Gottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in M magazine and the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.