Franklin Regional Middle School will stage families-only performance of ‘Annie Jr.’
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It will be restricted to family members, but eighth-graders in Franklin Regional Middle School’s performing arts program will get a chance to stage their spring musical, “Annie Jr.,” later this month.
For teachers involved with the production like Bruce Palmiscno and Brandi Crissman, it’s a chance to pick up where they left off pre-covid.
“We planned to do it last year, and then covid hit and the show was canceled,” Palmiscno said.
For the cast of 62 students, it’s a whole new experience.
“We got a brand-new group of eighth-graders and we recast the show and got going again in January,” Palmiscno said.
Crissman said the biggest challenge has been socially-distanced rehearsals.
“The kids are eager and want to be together, but it’s tough,” she said.
At a May 12 rehearsal, the cast had its first chance to rehearse using clear plastic face shields, which allows the cast and the audience to see their faces more clearly.
“The masks are the hardest part,” said Andrew Hall, 15, who will play the role of Daddy Warbucks. “It’s hard to sing and you really have to over-enunciate your words.”
Nina Colon, 14, will play the title role of Annie, and said social distancing has made it tricky to rehearse a show full of so many compassionate moments.
“There’s a lot of touching in this show,” she said. “So when we go to hug or anything, we have to be on different levels.”
Due to covid-19 restrictions, this is also the first year the group has staged a show without after-school rehearsals, Palmiscno said.
“The kids have been great because they really wanted to perform,” he said.
“Annie Jr.” will be staged for cast members’ immediate families on May 20 and 21. A DVD recording will be created for students in the Franklin Regional Middle School performing arts class.