Annie Junior, day 2

Hello parents, and here we go!  Annie Junior is now in full swing!  We got so 
much done today, and it was such a pleasure to see the incredible talent you 
have given Mary Kathryn and I to work with!! 
 
When Mary Kathryn and I first got news of the camp's subject matter, we got 
together and said to each other that we can't let this show be the "star 
vehicle" that it tends to be.  It is not fair to the kids.  Though the character 
of Annie carries the show as a "lead" it is not a "starring role".  We concluded 
that our version should add as many roles for everyone as possible, and I came 
up with the idea of a semi-"concert version" of the show, where all cast members 
are onstage the entire time.  The actors will serve as Orphans, Servants, 
Townspeople, and in some cases, the Statue of Liberty and other historic New 
York City landmarks.  Not an easy task when you have to get a show up in ten 
days!  But it could be done, and Mary Kathryn and I are dedicated to the piece 
and to giving your child as much to do with the script that we have.  I would 
not want to have the job of rewriting these shows into their "Junior" 
versions...  how do you cut a script down and make it equal for everyone?  You 
just can't.  
 
So, we learned today that acting is not just about the amount of lines that you 
have!  Non-verbal communication is just as important, if not more so, than 
verbal.  Think silent movies... how were they able to convey all their emotions 
without sound? 
 
But I digress... 
 
At the start of the day, we worked on the choreography and musical staging for 
the Overture, which gave all of the cast some extra character work to do, and 
even some new characters they didn't know of!  It is a four or five minute 
movement piece that gets us into "depression era" New York and gives us some 
background information as to where Sandy and Annie came from.  (I'm not going to 
spoil any surprises by telling you.) 
 
We then worked music, and got tons done!  We worked on "Hard Knock Life," "NYC," 
"Tomorrow reprise," "Maybe," "Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile" and we got a 
head start on "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here."  That is a lot of information to 
cram into those young heads in a short amount of time.  I think you will be 
pleasantly surprised at the level of the voices that we have.  It was very 
exciting to hear these tunes that, even though you may get tired of them in the 
next two weeks, came out sounding fantastic! 
 
While Mary Kathryn was working music, I worked with some of the cast on blocking 
(staging).  We managed to get through several scenes, pages 72-73, 85-88, and 
77-79.  It is time consuming, and the kids were able to retain the information 
and take direction!  A director's dream!  Thank you so much for having these 
awesome kids! 
 
On tomorrow's docket, I would like to get through "It's a Hard Knock Life" 
choreography, and possibly get started on "NYC" as well.  We will also review 
everything we did today, in order to reinforce the work we did today. 
 
On a side note, I know there are tons of question about costumes and props, and 
I urge you to give me a few days to get a list together so you have the weekend 
to go searching through your old clothes.  
 
As far as scenery goes, if anyone knows of an inexpensive (VERY) way to get 
posters made, I have some images of vintage postcards that I would like to get 
blown up to use for part of our background.  Unfortunately, my financial 
situation does not allow for much.  Any help would be appreciated. 
 
So.  Until next time, thanks again, and I hope this is useful for you.  I will 
try to get one of these daily reports out each day.