HHS’s ‘Annie’ Not Even a Day Away

It was a busy scene earlier this week, as the cast and crew of ’s production of “Annie” got ready to rehearse. Actors in various states of costume were everywhere, some of them dashing around and other sitting still while classmates patiently applied makeup.

With a cast of about 65—a number that jumps to around 115 when you include the students backstage—it’s natural that minor annoyances will occur, like a makeup container getting knocked over.

“This is what I call crunch time,” director and teacher Catherine E. Anzuini said Tuesday. “It's finally gelling.”

Anzuini is Hightstown High’s drama and choir director and has been directing shows at the school for about two decades. She said she picked “Annie” this year not only for its large cast but also because it teaches her students a bit about the ‘30s.

“I think the kids learned a lot from this one historically,” she said. “One of reasons I picked it was because we also delved into a lot of history of what was happening the era. There are a lot of historical references to people they've heard of and people they haven't.”

The musicians are almost entirely students—mixed in are just a handful of professionals, “so it's definitely a student-focused performance,” she added.

Sophomore Miranda Contreras-Peterson plays the title roll of Annie, the young orphan who came to fame in the funny pages. It’s Miranda’s first time in a major roll.

“Annie’s just constantly happy, so there’s a lot of smiling and a lot of being happy,” she said. She added that all that is “a lot of fun,” but asked if all that smiling hurts her cheeks, she nodded and admitted plainly, “It hurts.”

 Connor Ernst, a junior, plays Annie’s rich savior, Daddy Warbucks. Speaking as his whole, shaved head was covered in makeup, he said he was excited but a little anxious about his first big part in a school show.

“I’m nervous, but I’m ready for it,” he said, adding his favorite parts are the multiple solos he gets to perform.

His secret? “I’m actually not nervous as long as I have makeup on,” he said. “I get a red face if I don’t.”

Junior Natalie Ortega plays Miss Hannigan, the grouchy supervisor at the orphanage where Annie starts out. “My character just goes nuts a lot of the time, which is really, really fun,” she said, adding with a laugh that it “fits right in” with her personality.

High school students aren’t the only kids in the show. Harley, the adorable dog of Pastor Heidi Bak at the nearby , is also on stage. But she had to try out just like everybody else, Anzuini said.

“We had several dogs come in and we had to see how they reacted with all of the students and voices and music, to see if they barked or were skittish,” she explained. “Harley's great—she really is wonderful.”

A few students from the Walter C. Black Elementary School play orphans in the show. Miranda, who was in the high school shows when she herself was in elementary school, said one of her favorite things about playing Annie was working with the other “orphans.”

“It’s a lot of fun; they’re all so cute,” she said. “And they cooperate with us.”

Natalie said she had leading roles when she was in elementary in middle school, though Miss Hannigan this is her first major one in high school.

“This show is actually really fun because there’s so much new talent in the show,” she said, referring to some of the other cast members.

Two of those young girls said they were having a blast being in “Annie.”

“It’s exciting, because we’re not going to see these guys again,” said fourth-grader Erin Knauer of her elder cast mates.

Fifth-grader Claire Ernst, Connor’s younger sister, agreed being in the show was a great experience. “It’s really fun because they think that we’re cute, so we get along really well with them,” she said.

“Except we’re not allowed to get overwhelming with it!” Erin piped in.

Hightstown High School will present “Annie” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. On Sunday, up to three student tickets can be bought for $5 with the purchase of an adult ticket. Buy your tickets at the door, or call Anzuini the day of the show at 609-443-7738 extension 1328.