Welcome to Walpole High School's production of Annie! I am so glad you could join us for an excellent night of live theatre. Annie is the story of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of love. In a world filled with uncertainties, Annie's unwavering optimism serves as a shining beacon of light. Her journey from the harsh confines of the orphanage, to the desolate conditions of the New York "Hoovervilles," and finally to the warm embrace of a loving family is a reminder that, even in the darkest times, a better tomorrow is always within reach. Today, we find ourselves in a social, political, and economic climate not far from the climate depicted in the original Little Orphan Annie comic strip that first went to print in the mid 1920s. It is important to keep the message of this musical in mind: that love, kindness, and the strength of the human spirit can overcome adversity, and even in the face of adversity, we can find solace in the bonds we create with one another.
A production is only as successful as the sum of its parts, and boy does it take a lot of parts to get a show off the ground! I offer my endless thanks to the following individuals:
Thank you to Walpole Public Schools Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Bridget Gough and Dr. Bill Hahn, and Walpole High School Principal and Assistant Principals Mr. Stephen Imbusch, Dr. Kristina Kelleher-Bianchi, and Mrs. Lee Tobey. We couldn't bring these productions to our community without your support.
Thank you to our amazing WHS Secretaries Mrs. Lori Wilson and Mrs. Deborah Wolfe, and Dave Wood and the wonderful WHS custodial staff. You keep our operation running smoothly, and we are so grateful!
Thank you to all of the parent volunteers who helped put this show together. The vast majority of the props and set pieces you see on stage are the result of an incredible amount of time and energy on their part. I don't know where this production would be without them.
Thank you to Tim Rice for our rehearsal photos and headshots. Working with you is always a pleasure.
Thank you to Emily Herschlag and Andrew Wray for being the best creative teammates that a director could ask for. You have done truly spectacular work with our merry band of players, and I am honored to call you both colleagues!
Thank you to my beloved family, RN, JN, TN & PJ, who endure my musical season antics year after year with humor and grace AND still come to see the show. I love you all so very much.
Finally, no amount of words can express my gratitude for my extraordinary, dedicated, wild, crazy, driven, TALENTED cast and crew. You put your faith in me to guide you though two months of rehearsals, but this production wouldn't be anywhere near as marvelous as it is without your unfaltering commitment to our art and to each other. You have done an exceptional job bringing these characters to life, and I could not be more proud of each and every one of you. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful theatre experience.
Enjoy the show!
Kendra Nutting - Director
