Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – The Presque Isle Community Players production of “Annie,” performed recently at the Presque Isle Middle School’s auditorium, was a success, despite Mother Nature’s attempts to keep the audience away with a mix of wintery weather.
Photo courtesy of Voscar
Daddy Warbucks (Rod Thompson) and Annie (Hannah Stoutamyer) share a musical moment during this year’s production of “Annie.”
“The Presque Isle Community Players just completed another crowd-pleasing, very successful Broadway musical called ‘Annie,’ and I must take this opportunity to thank those who helped make this show a memorable one,” said Jim Derosier, club president.
Though the group had outstanding attendance, in spite of the weather, Derosier said they could not have produced a show of this magnitude without the financial support of the many businesses and individual donors of Central Aroostook.
“To produce a major Broadway musical takes thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer hours dedicated to bringing a smile or a tear to the faces of the 1,500 who attended this year’s show. The generosity of those who support us financially or through their resources as well as the ticket sales allows us to make a very small profit – a profit which is applied to our next productions,” explained Derosier.
Without the help of the ‘community,’ Derosier said these musicals would not be possible.
The 75 cast members making up this production came in all shapes and sizes, as well as various communities in the surrounding area.
“The 75 actors and stage crew members came in all shapes and sizes – from 5 years of age to 73. They came from places such as Fort Fairfield, Caribou, Ashland, Mapleton and Presque Isle. They all spent hour upon hour of their valuable time rehearsing and performing – all for the love of theater and the joy that it brings them when they know that they have pleased the audience,” Derosier said.
This year’s production was a bit ironic in that the play was about an orphan but many of the cast and crew were from the same families.
Directing the play were Dan and Barbara Ladner, familiar faces to local stage productions. They enjoyed working with cast and crew for this year’s presentation.
“Barb and I are used to working with a large cast. This year the group was especially hospitable and friendly to us and to each other,” said Dan Ladner.
Ladner said the 11 girl orphans worked well together and grew very fond of each other throughout the rehearsals and performances.
“Everybody knows we have a limited time frame to pull of a major show like this, so everybody worked hard and seriously toward that goal,” explained Ladner.
Joining the Ladners for the production were their granddaughters.
“I had two granddaughters in this show as well as last year’s (Rachel and Germaine Scott). It’s nice to be able to work with them on such a different aspect of life; they see us in a different light too,” said Ladner.
Ladner noted there were several married couples involved in the show, including: Gene and Carolyn Michaud; Rodney Thompson and Martha Grant; Debbie (actor) and Brian (lighting) Lamont and their granddaughter, Sadie Faye.
“Other relatives involved with the show included: Leo Kashian and daughter Christine (actors) and his wife, Ann (stage crew); Melissa Crowe and daughter Annabelle; Elaine Moody and son Reed; Larry Berz (actor) and Sharon Berz (costumer); Bob Jordan and daughter Dean-na; Jeff Ashby (stage manager) and daughter Lillian (actor), his mother and stepfather Darlene and Paul Higgins (stage crew); twin sisters Rachel and Rebecca Maxwell; sisters Ashelyn and Kaitlyn Dye; Ann Doody (hair stylist) and daughter Marigan (actor); Amanda Shaw and daughter Abigail; Sherry Sullivan (actor) and son Matthew (stage crew); Kevin and Sue Sjoberg and their children Emily and Jacob (actors),” said Ladner, noting the long list of related cast and crew surprised him and he hoped he hadn’t missed anyone.
