Leaping Lizards! Jasper will “stick up its chin and grin and sing ‘Tomorrow! Tomorrow!’” when Athletic Arts Center performs Annie JR., it was announced by Drew Cohen, president of Music Theatre International (MTI). Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning best musical by Tony Award-winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, Annie JR. tells the story of a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents.
“Annie is a heartwarming show with an important message about the true nature of family. In the show, we see how a plucky little girl transforms her entire life by making the most out of every moment,” says Cohen. “MTI would like to applaud the students from Athletic Arts Center for all their hard work on their production.” “We are thrilled to bring this classic story to the stage and showcase the talented performers in our community.” says Maria Ross Campsey, Director of Athletic Arts Center.
Athletic Arts Center will present Annie JR. on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 7:00pm and Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 2:00pm at Bevill State Community College – Rowland Auditorium. General admission tickets are $11.50 for Seniors/Children and $16.50 for Adults and can be purchased online at athleticartsctr.com or at the door the day of the show. There is no dress code, but the cast will remind you that you are “never fully dressed without a smile.”
Annie JR. follows the story of an orphan named Annie living a “hard-knock life” atThe New York City Municipal Orphanagerun by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Anniedreams of being reunited with her parents and takes action to find them. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Roosevelt and finds a new family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
Annie JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY, (212) 541-4684, mtishows.com.
Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser, and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form.
MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists, and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials, and dynamic theatrical resources to over 70,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 60 countries worldwide.
MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior™ shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students.
Athletic Arts Center, located in Jasper, AL, is dedicated to offering dance and performing arts training for children and adults, providing outlets for artistic expression, and creating community collaboration. For over 17 years the company has worked to fulfill its mission by offering classes and performance opportunities in the community. Athletic Arts Center has produced The Nutcrackerfor the past 15 years and Annie Kids(2015), Dear Edwina Jr. (2016), The Little Mermaid Jr. (2017), Seussical Jr. (2019), Frozen Jr. (2020), Scenes From A Quarantine (2021), Honk, Jr! (2022), and Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical Jr.(2023). It has also partnered with the Walker County Arts Alliance, Bevill State Community College, and Walker Community Theatre to produce Annie(2011), The Music Man (2012), High School Musical Jr. (2013), High School Musical 2 Jr. (2014), Broadway Time Machine – A Musical Review (2015),Cinderella Kids (2016), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (2016), Madagascar Jr. (2018) and Always…Patsy Cline (2023).
