Remember Mary? The girl who had a little lamb? Mary took that lamb to school and was the subject of ridicule, rules and regulations about bringing a pet to school. Helena Walker of Grasonviille brought her neighbor’s dog, Marley, a sandy-colored golden-doodle to school on Saturday with the school’s permission and good wishes. Rachel Masciarelli of Stevensville and her Shetland sheep dog, Caspian came to school too.
Michele Nooney’s dog, golden retriever, Chessi was also auditioning for the coveted part of “Sandy” in Kent Island High School drama department’s production of Annie. Marley, the golden doodle, owned by Linda and Andy Joyce and Penny, a golden terrier mix, brought in by its owner, Susane Sapa of Stevensville were selected to play the part of Little Orphan Annie’s dog from the streets of Depression-ridden New York City of 1933.
The drama group was looking for dogs that were sandy-brown, mostly brown, or had a large brown patch. The dogs needed to be able to cooperate on stage with singing and dancing students. Sandy also had to be available for all performances with the blue and silver casts and have up-to-date shots.
Sandy is important to the play as many audience-goers know the story of Little Orphan Annie and her dog, Sandy. Having a live dog adds to the drama and excitement of the production, said director, Kevin Reagan.
Sandy and Annie meet when both are wandering New York’s St. Mark’s Place looking for a home. Officer Ward of the NYPD suspects that Sandy is a stray, but Annie tells him that the dog is hers. Sandy responds to his new name when he is called by Annie, and Officer Ward is reluctantly persuaded that the dog indeed belongs to Annie.
Annie is a beloved tale of an 11-year-old orphan girl who is convinced her parents are alive and coming back for her any day. Annie (played by Iris Spik of Stevensville and Sarah Santini of Grasonville) is plucked from the clutches of the orphanage’s grumpy Miss Hannigan (played by Stevensville’s Lyndee Zeller) by none other than zillionaire and man-about-town, Oliver Warbucks (Reed Bjourntvedt of Stevensville). A lively adventure ensues as Daddy Warbucks totes Annie to meet President Roosevelt, searches for Annie’s parents and takes Annie out for a night on the town.
Annie’s sunny disposition keeps everyone looking for the sun to come out “Tomorrow”. The happy ending of the story, the fabulous singing and dancing of the cast and of course, the unexpected antics of having a live dog in the play makes Annie a ‘must-see’ this winter.
Kent Island High School International Thespian Society Troupe #6437 presents Annie March 4, 5, 6, 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. and March 14 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door. Contact Kevin Reagan at 410-604-2070 or ReaganK@qacps.k12.md.us for more information.