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LTCC and Sierra Nevada Theater Company bring ‘Annie’ to stage

Provided to the Tribune
Riley Chapman, 9, will play the lead in the production of "Annie" scheduled Aug. 10-12 at South Tahoe High School.
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Sierra Nevada Theater Company and Lake Tahoe Community College have joined forces for this summer’s musical production of “Annie” at 8 p.m. Aug. 10 to 12 at the South Tahoe High School theater. The production is under the direction of Bob Grant. Grant has returned to directing productions on the South Shore after a long series of hit musicals in Carson City. He also was the director of “Scrooge,” which appeared for many years in Harrah’s South Shore Room.

Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 for seniors and students 12 and older, and $8 for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased at rehearsals at the South Tahoe High School theater after 6 p.m. Aug. 6 to 9, at the door on performance nights, or by calling (530) 541-7211.

The lovable and precocious red-haired Annie is played by 9-year-old Riley Chapman, who interestingly, is a redhead. Riley has had roles in a variety of Missoula Children’s Theater productions over the past few years.



“I am so pleased to be ‘Annie.’ I’ve been watching the movie ‘Annie’ since I was little. It’s really fun working with everyone and hard work learning my lines and songs. I love it,” Riley said.

Miss Hannigan is played by Liz Niven, the drama teacher and director of the various productions at South Tahoe High School. Her background includes the New York stage along with major local roles as Maria in the “Sound of Music,” Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady,” Reno in “Anything Goes” and many more. Frank Dixon portrays Daddy Warbucks. In preparation for the role, Dixon was transformed into the bald-headed Warbucks at one of the rehearsals when he had his head shaved by fellow cast member Angie Gooch. In addition to her talents as a hairdresser, Gooch shows off her vocal talents in the production as Grace, secretary to Oliver Warbucks.



Eleven orphans sing and dance to favorites, “You’re Never Fully Dressed without a Smile” and “Hard Knock Life” including Chelsea Wightman, who plays the older “know it all” Pepper and Angelle Komp, who plays the young orphan, Molly. Other orphans include Angelee Brown, Ariah Barth, Melissa Jo Marsh, Jordyn Dion, Shon Tain, Hannah Neiger, Devynn Wulstein, Tatum Whatford, and Aurora Gooch. Joining this group is the adorable little orphan troupe of Kayla Mason, Sophie Stewart, Mirella Roberts, Unique Hendee, Quinn Simpson, Bailee James and Madison Komp.

Another 20-plus people play a variety of roles in the production. Kera Higdon, who plays Celeste, represents a second generation of performers in “Annie.” Her mom, Becky Baker, was Tessie when “Annie” was performed on the South Shore 22 years ago.

“The Sierra Nevada Theater Company is thrilled to be working with the college to produce this event,” said Marcia Sarosik, show choreographer.

The company has produced “She Loves Me” and “Pirates of Penzance” in previous summers and is responsible for the children’s summer theater workshops which were popular for many years on the South Shore. This year, in addition to “Annie,” the theater company will conduct a youth theater workshop from Aug. 7 through 12, culminating in a performance of “Tom Sawyer.” Information on the upcoming workshop is in an article below.


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