Woodstock Musical Theatre Company announces the cast and staff for their October 2006 production, ANNIE WARBUCKS, to be performed at the Woodstock Opera House.   

October 6 - 28, 2006

“Annie Warbucks,” a Musical seaqual by Thomas Meehan, Martin Charin and Charles Strouse

to be performed at the Woodstock Opera House four weekends, with 11 total performances. 

Produced under license from Musical Theatre International., NYC, NY.

 

Fridays and Saturdays 8:00 pm performance

Sundays 3:00 pm performance

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You can now purchase your TICKETS online!

Event	Date/Time	Available
ANNIE WARBUCKS	Fri, Oct 6 2006 at 8:00 PM	Great Show!
ANNIE WARBUCKS	Sat, Oct 7 2006 at 8:00 PM	Great Show!
ANNIE WARBUCKS	Sun, Oct 8 2006 at 3:00 PM	Great Show!
ANNIE WARBUCKS	Fri, Oct 13 2006 at 8:00 PM	Great Show!
ANNIE WARBUCKS	Sat, Oct 14 2006 at 8:00 PM	Great Show!
ANNIE WARBUCKS	Sun, Oct 15 2006 at 3:00 PM	Great Show!
ANNIE WARBUCKS	Fri, Oct 20 2006 at 8:00 PM	Great Show!
ANNIE WARBUCKS	Sat, Oct 21 2006 at 8:00 PM	Great Show!
ANNIE WARBUCKS	Sun, Oct 22 2006 at 3:00 PM	Great Show!
ANNIE WARBUCKS	Fri, Oct 27 2006 at 8:00 PM	Great Show!
ANNIE WARBUCKS	Sat, Oct 28 2006 at 8:00 PM	Great Show!

 

Purchase your TICKETS via Phone or in Person!

The box office is open Monday thru Saturday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

You may order tickets over the phone or check availability by calling 815-338-5300

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Staff List | Cast List | Cast Photos | Story Synopsis 

Press Photos |Press Release |Press Reviews |Rehearsal Photos | Production Photos

 

STAFF LIST

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Artistic Director		Tony Aiello
Musical Director		Betsy Stemple
Choreographer		Shawn Quinlan
Production Coordinator		Bob Riner
Asst. Production Coordinator		Elaine Riner
Technical Coordinator		Lou Czarny
Stage Manager / Asst. Director		Trish Gonzales
Rehearsal Pianist		Gloria Peetz
Set Construction		Kent Wilson
Set Designer		Tony Aiello
Costume Coordinator		Kathy Bruhnke
Hair and Wig Design		Virginia Zymonas
Scenic Artist		Erin Denk
Light Designer		Jennifer Prise
Properties Coordinators		Sumerlyn Bankel Cindy Layoff
Lighting Technician		Andrew Iverson
Sound Technician		Zack O'Grady
Stage Running Crew		Nathan Boyd, Patty Boyd, Pete Liput, Kate

 

 

Cast List

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The Characters
Annie	.......	Jane Layoff
Oliver Warbucks	.......	Kevin Ruthunde
Grace	.......	Lydia Stalker
Mrs. Doyle	.......	Char Ulanowski
Mrs. Kelly	.......	Laurie Faith Gibson
Simon	.......	Jim Stemple
Alvin Paterson	.......	Barry Blodgett
Ella Paterson	.......	Janaan Rose
C.G. Paterson	.......	Jordan Puhala
Drake	.......	Bruce Marchionda
Mrs. Pugh	.......	Mary Ann Bennett
F.D.R.	.......	Sandy Rutherford
Molly	.......	Emma Soden
Peaches	.......	Katherine Stryker
Pepper	.......	Dayna Palya
Tessie	.......	Darragh Quinn Dolan
Character Players
Miah Bennett		Nora Brown
Abe LaMontagne		Jake LaMontagne
Lianna McDaniel		Jennifer "Gwen" Pflueger
Melina Rey		Joseph Stalker
Samuel Stalker		Johanna Sveden
Joe Weyland

 

CAST PHOTOS

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Miah Bennett	Mary Ann Bennett	Barry Blodgett	Nora Brown	Darragh Quinn Dolan
Laurie Faith Gibson	Abe LaMontagne	Jake LaMontagne	Jane Layoff	Bruce Marchionda
Lianna McDaniel	Dayna Palya	Jennifer Pflueger	Jordan Puhala	Janaan Rose
Melina Rey	Charles Rutherford	Kevin Ruthunde	Emma Soden	Joseph Stalker
Lydia Stalker	Samuel Stalker	Jim Stemple	Katherine Stryker	Johanna Sveden
Char Ulanowski	Joe Weyland

 

PRESS PHOTOS

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Full Resolution color printable images are available for download from this website. 

Click on desired photo proof to view Full Res. images. 

All photos are color, 300 DPI with less then 6% compression jpeg format and  Print sized at minimum 3”x4”.

Kevin Ruthunde as Oliver Warbucks, Jane Layoff as Annie Warbucks and Ruby Riner as Sandy	Jane Layoff as Annie Warbucks and Ruby Riner as Sandy	Kevin Ruthunde as Oliver Warbucks, Jane Layoff as Annie Warbucks and Lydia Stalker as Grace Farrell
Jane Layoff as Annie Warbucks and Jordan Puhala as C.G. Paterson	Jane Layoff as Annie Warbucks and Jordan Puhala as C.G. Paterson	Kevin Ruthunde as Oliver Warbucks
(Center) Jane Layoff as Annie Warbucks (Left to Right) Emma Soden as Molly, Dayna Palya as Tessie, Johanna Svenden, Lianna McDaniel, Katherine Stryker as Peaches, Nora Brown and Darragh Quinn Dolan as Tessie.
(Center) Ruby Riner as Sandy and Jane Layoff as Annie Warbucks (Left to Right from Center) Dayna Payla as Pepper, Emma Soden as Molly, Johanna Sveden, Lianna McDaniel, Katherine Stryker as Peaches, Nora Brown, and Darragh Quinn Dolan as Tessie.

 

STORY SYNOPSIS

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Annie Warbucks
Book by: Thomas Meehan
Lyrics by: Martin Charnin
Music by: Charles Strouse

This successful sequel to the monster-hit musical ANNIE started life as ANNIE 2. After a bumpy initial tour, the authors re-worked the show, went through some cast and character changes, changed the title to ANNIE WARBUCKS and opened off-Broadway at the newly renovated Variety Arts Theatre in the East Village. Shining in the cast were Harve Presnell as Warbucks, Marguerite MacIntyre as Grace, Alene Robertson as Commissioner Doyle, Donna McKechnie as Mrs. Kelly, and a little heart-stopping powerhouse named Kathryn Zaremba as Annie.

Full of peppy melodies, plenty of laughs, marvelous choreography, smart sets, bright lights and snappy costumes" -The New York Times

"ANNIE WARBUCKS is an enormously entertaining evening!" -The New York Daily News

"Surefire family fun! Charles Strouse's tunes are charmers. Well worth catching" -New York Magazine"

 

PRESS RELEASE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 8, 2006 9:00 a.m.   Woodstock Musical Theatre Company Contact: Ginny Richardson, GR-PR Phone: 630-789-8555 Email: grichardson@gr-pr.com   Web: www.WoodstockTheatre.com

 

Woodstock Musical Theatre Company presents

Annie Warbucks

  

            Woodstock Musical Theatre Company (WMTC), kicks off its 2006-2007 season with the musical Annie Warbucks, directed by Tony Aiello of Elgin with musical direction by Betsy Stemple of Marengo and choreography by Shawn Quinlan of Chicago.

           

            Opening night for Annie Warbucks is at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, Ill. All performances are at 8 p.m. Oct. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 and at 3 p.m. Oct. 8, 15 and 22.  

             

            Annie Warbucks is the musical sequel to the Broadway hit Annie. Written by Thomas Meehan with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, Annie Warbucks delivers all of the fun that made the original an instant classic. The action picks up right where Annie leaves off. A child welfare commissioner arrives on the scene to inform Daddy Warbucks he must marry in sixty days so the newly adopted Annie can have a proper mother. The search for a bride is on.

 

            According to the New York Times, Annie Warbucks is “…full of peppy melodies, plenty of laughs, marvelous choreography, smart sets, bright lights and snappy costumes.” The New York Daily News said, “ ‘Annie Warbucks’ is an enormously entertaining evening,” and according to New York Magazine, the musical is "surefire family fun! Charles Strouse's tunes are charmers. Well worth catching.”

 

            Playing Annie is Jane Layoff of Woodstock, and Oliver Warbucks is played by Kevin Ruthunde of Lake Geneva, Wisc. Other lead roles include Lydia Stalker of Woodstock as Grace Farrell, Char Ulanowski of Woodstock as Harriet Doyle, Palya Dayna of Spring Grove as Pepper and Charles (Sandy) Rutherford of Hebron as President Roosevelt.

 

            “More than 55 girls auditioned for Annie Warbucks,” said director Tony Aiello. “When kids are part of a big show like this one…I don’t know…I can’t speak for them directly, but I remember as a kid in a show and being completely swept up in the ‘magic’ of the entire experience. From a production point of view, these kids are great, and I could not be happier. They hold up their end just as confidently as the adults, in every aspect of the production including dancing, singing and acting.” 

 

            Aiello is particularly pleased with the creative staff hired to support him. “I haven’t added it all up, but there is probably 100+ years of theatre experience coming together to build this show. Everyone involved on the staff side is extremely good at what they do.” 

 

            Founded in 1974, Woodstock Musical Theatre Company (WMTC) is a not-for-profit corporation established to provide local talent with the opportunity to offer artistic theatrical productions for the viewing pleasure of area residents and to promote community theatre as an art form. Membership in the company is a matter of participation. Individuals who participate in a production are considered members with no membership dues or fees required.

 

            Situated on the historic downtown square in Woodstock, the Opera House is one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the United States and one of the most recognized historic theatres in the Midwest. The first performance took place in 1890, and it has since provided acting experience for such famous personalities as Paul Newman, Tom Bosley, Betsy Palmer, Orson Welles and Geraldine Page.

           

            Today, the Opera House is a fully modernized theater with historical authenticity. It features contemporary sound, lighting, stage rigging, heating, air conditioning and other amenities. It is also equipped with a state-of-the-art box office as well as the popular Stage Left Café in the reception area.

           

            “I’m very excited with how this show is coming together,” Aiello said. “It’s really going to be something to remember for not only all of us, but for our audience as well.”

 

            Tickets to Annie Warbucks range from $22-$24. Season ticket packages are available. Call 815-338-5300 or visit www.woodstocktheatre.com.

 

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PRESS REVIEWS

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Pre-Productions Articles (Sept - Oct) Orphan sings again ‘Annie Warbucks’ picks up where ‘Annie’ left off By Cheryl Chojnacki Daily Herald Correspondent Posted Thursday, October 05, 2006 If you’ve ever seen the much-loved musical blockbuster “Annie,” the opening scene of “Annie Warbucks,” which begins a month-long run this weekend at Woodstock Opera House, will no doubt seem familiar to you. It’s Christmas morning 1933, and everyone is gathered in the ballroom at Daddy Warbucks’ mansion. Miss Hannigan and her fellow hooligans have just been unmasked, Warbucks intends to adopt the orphaned Annie, and spirits rise as thoughts return to the holiday at hand. Annie’s dog, Sandy, jumps out of a decorated Christmas package, and the cast sings “A New Deal for Christmas” to close out the show. Or, in this case, open the show. “Annie Warbucks” picks up the action exactly where “Annie” leaves off, continuing the heartwarming tale of how the brightest light at Municipal Orphanage comes to find not only a daddy, but a mama, too. And leapin’ lizards — if you’ve somehow missed seeing the curly red-headed orphan on stage, you’ll still be OK at the sequel. “Annie Warbucks” can stand on its own. The 1993 sequel measures up to the original, first staged in 1977, said Elgin’s Tony Aiello, who directs “Annie Warbucks” for Woodstock Musical Theatre Co. Both shows are based on the long-running “Little Orphan Annie” comic strip by Harold Gray. “I think what attracts a lot of people to the first in any series is getting to know the characters,” Aiello said. “And sequels seem to be a rehash of that. “In this case, though, it’s very fresh. The situation isn’t a retelling of the first one. It’s a completely new situation; the show actually progresses the characters.” The two musicals were created by the same team — Thomas Meehan, Martin Charnin and Charles Strouse — and Aiello said he thinks audiences will leave the theater humming the catchy tunes from the sequel as assuredly as they do from the original. “I would have a hard time picking out the better set of music, between the first ‘Annie’ and ‘Annie Warbucks,’” he said. “They’re pretty comparable.” He said auditions offered him more talent than he could use. “We had 55 young girls come out and audition to be either Annie or one of the orphans,” he said. “In one sense that kind of frees you to do what you want to do, but it also means you have to find reasons to cut good people. “The cast we ended up with, I think, is fantastic,” Aiello said. “They’re extremely driven and the chemistry is good. They’re just completely on board with the project.” Jane Layoff, a freshman at Woodstock High School, won the role of Annie, a part she has hoped to snag since she started acting at 7 years old. Layoff starred as Peter Pan last year for Woodstock Children’s Summer Theatre and has performed with TownSquare Players of Woodstock and Christian Youth Theater. She enjoys “Annie Warbucks” for its musical numbers, she said, and because “it’s very different from the first one. “There are more twists to it than the original.” Asked about challenges, she laughed. “I’m not too keen on the whole dog thing,” Layoff said. “I’ve never had a dog. It’s been quite a challenge getting the dog to listen to me.” The director was skeptical about a canine in the cast, too, but Toby, the farm collie who plays Annie’s dog, Sandy, won him over. When Aiello first read the script and realized Annie’s pet would be jumping out of a box in the first scene, “I started thinking of every other kind of animal we could use except for a dog,” he said. “But I could not be happier with the dog, especially after being so terrified of working with one.” Aiello, an actor in his own right, said he decided to try directing four years ago because, “I kept having too many ideas. “I think a fine actor spends most of his or her time observing and sort of cataloguing what they observe. “It just got to the point internally where I had to put myself in a place where I could put my own ideas into a show.” This is the second production Aiello has directed at Woodstock Opera House, a contemporary theater in a grand old building that has staged vaudeville and minstrel acts as well as Paul Newman, Orson Welles and others. Aiello is happy to be collaborating on “Annie Warbucks” with music director Betsy Stemple, choreographer Shaun Quinlan, assistant director Trish Gonzales and production coordinators Bob and Elaine Riner. “It’s really rare to have a cast like this and a staff like this,” Aiello said. “I think we have over 100 years combined in our experience.” He said he usually gravitates toward heavier, more serious productions, but that “Annie Warbucks” reminds him of why he got into theater in the first place. “It does tend to be very melodramatic and light, but that doesn’t make it a throwaway,” Aiello said. “I think it’s very intelligent. “With the way the world is now, it’s nice to be able to step outside of that and just have fun for a while.” Sequel to 'Annie' answers questions By LISA KELLY - Woodstock Independent - www.Inde-News.com Submitted: October 12, 2006 5:12 PM CT Everyone who saw "Annie" undoubtedly wondered what tomorrow held for the adorable orphan and her faithful dog, Sandy, after she was liberated from the orphanage by Daddy Warbucks. The Woodstock Musical Theatre Company's production of "Annie Warbucks" that opened last weekend lets us know. After Annie's adoption by the fabulously wealthy Daddy Warbucks, the state of New York decides the adoption will not be legal unless he is married. When the legality of their pronouncement is confirmed by his lawyer, Daddy Warbucks responds by speed dating every woman he can find except Annie's choice, his assistant Grace Farrell. His wealth, which is in stark contrast to the plight of most depression-era Americans, makes him quite a catch. The prospect of sharing his affection with any of the prospects drives Annie and Sandy to hop a train for parts unknown. After a little adventure and some good advice, she is ultimately returned safely to Daddy Warbucks, and all is forgiven. This is a delightful story. Jane Layoff is charming and endearing as Annie. It's a big role, and she is surely up to it. Kevin Rathunde is exceptional in the part of Daddy Warbucks and easily has the strongest voice on the stage. Lydia Stalker, as Grace, is perfect as she patiently supports Annie and Daddy Warbucks in their dilemma. Everyone in the cast contributes to a fine production. The orphans are all adorable, but Emma Soden, as Molly, can't help but be a bit of a scene stealer. However, she gets some competition from farm collie Toby Stalker, as Sandy, who attracts a good deal of attention too. The musical score is not as catchy as that of the original "Annie" and seemed to challenge some of the cast. The orchestra was excellent but overpowered the voices in more than one number. However, this review is based on opening night, so some leeway should be granted. Subsequent performances will surely reflect a little more balance. The choreography was excellent. There were many large cast numbers that came off flawlessly. The sets and lighting were especially good, with lots of set changes, none of which were obtrusive. I also enjoyed the period costumes. Director Tony Aiello can be pleased with his staff, cast and this production. It's a fun show for the whole family. Heck, how can you beat undeniably cute children, a good story and a happy ending? "Annie Warbucks" continues weekends at the Woodstock Opera House through Oct. 28. For tickets or information, call the box office at 815-338-5300. Play follows next stage in Orphan Annie's life   October 5, 2006 By MYRNA PETLICKI Contributor Fans of "Annie" may wonder what happened to the spunky, carrot-topped orphan after Daddy Warbucks adopted her. The answer is revealed in "Annie Warbucks," by Thomas Meehan (book), Charles Strouse (music) and Martin Charnin (lyrics). Tony Aiello of Elgin directs the Woodstock Musical Theatre Company production of the sequel, opening Friday at the Woodstock Opera House. "'Annie Warbucks' reminds me a lot of my children's theater experience in a kind of a fractured fairy tales way," Aiello said. "It's light and refreshing, especially now with everything going on in the world. It's nice to be able to step outside of that and just have fun." The 27 cast members, including seven "orphans," were selected from 55 girls who auditioned to either be Annie or an orphan. Jane Layoff of Woodstock won the lead. "There was something about Jane's performance, especially at callbacks," Aiello said. "She's very studied and for being so young she's accomplished quite a bit in theater." Jane called the role "a dream come true. When I was seven years old, I saw the movie for the first time. I loved the movie and I loved Annie. I started acting when I was around seven, too, and it has always been my dream to play Annie." Annie faces new situations and people in the sequel. "Daddy Warbucks has to get married to keep Annie," Jane said. Miss Hannigan, Annie's nemesis from the orphanage, is gone but there are other villains threatening Annie's security. The role of Sandy is handled by a dog named Toby Stalker. "I've never worked with a dog before," said Jane, who never has had one for a pet, either. At press time, she was training Toby to bark on command. Toby's an amateur, though. Jane is a seasoned veteran who has appeared in 10 productions with Christian Youth Theater, four shows with Woodstock Children's Summer Theatre and one with Townsquare Players. Aiello chose Kevin Rathunde of Lake Geneva, Wis. as Annie's wealthy adoptive parent Daddy Warbucks. "He's probably one of the most talented people I've ever worked with," Aiello said. The director added that he was impressed by the way Rathunde and Jane connected during auditions. "I could see the beginnings of a relationship and chemistry right off the bat. An actor since fourth grade, Rathunde is currently involved with four theater companies. "My daughter played Annie at 10 two years ago, and my wife played Miss Hannigan in the original 'Annie,'" Rathunde said. He didn't audition for that Woodstock Musical Theatre Company production, but decided to tryout for the sequel with his daughter. "They didn't cast her, but they cast me," he said. Daddy Warbucks has a bigger role in the sequel. "There's a lot more of his thought process," Rathunde said. "It's much more him trying to come to terms with the fact that he doesn't have anybody, he never had anybody and he never thought he needed anybody, and discovering he really does need somebody." The father of four and grandfather of two is a big fan of his co-star's work. "I love Jane. That little girl is so wonderful as Annie, and it's so easy to work with her," he said. "She astounds me at how good she is for as young as she is." Jane's maturity is shown in her interpretation of the message of the play. "You have to look for the silver lining in every cloud and dreams can come true," she said. It took seven years, but it happened for her. 'ANNIE WARBUCKS' performed by Woodstock Musical Theatre Company 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 28 at Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. $22-$24 (815) 338-5300 or www.woodstocktheatre.com

 

REHEARSAL PHOTOS

 

PRODUCTION PHOTOS

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