MARQUETTE — Superior Arts Youth Theater’s production of “Annie JR.” featuring more than 60 local youth in grades 8 and under begins on Thursday, Nov. 9 at the Forest Roberts Theatre.

This production is directed by Caitlin Palomaki, music directed by Sara Parks, choreographed by Skylar Taavola, and stage managed by Molly Luty.

Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with a beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, “Annie JR.” centers everyone’s favorite little redhead in her very first adventure.

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie (Addi Perry) charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City.

Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan (Olivia Niemi). Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations with the help of her fellow orphans Molly (Madeline Rowe), Tessie (Geenlea Oja), Pepper (Armina Weinrick), July (Zuri Ghiardi), Duffy (Eliana Sullivan), and Kate (Rorie Johnson). Eventually, Annie finds a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Lukas Barron), his personal secretary, Grace Farrell (Ellia Marquardson), and a lovable mutt named Sandy (Sammy Doppelt / Jake Ludwig).

In addition to the large, talented youth ensemble, this production includes favorite characters such as the scheming duo Rooster Hannigan (Jack Johnson) and Lily St. Regis (Avery DeAndra); Radio Announcer Bert Healey (Caleb Rayhorn) and his Sound Effects Man (Chooch Leonard); Bundles McCloskey (Grant Ottaway); and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Pablo Krebs).

Performances of “Annie JR.” are scheduled for 7 p.m. at Forest Roberts Theatre on Thursday, Nov. 9; Friday, Nov. 10; and Saturday, Nov. 11; with 1 p.m. performances on Saturday, Nov. 11 (a Theatre for All performance) and Sunday, Nov. 12.

Tickets are on sale now: $15 for adults, $9 for seniors and students, and Theatre for All group rate of $9/ticket for groups of 10+. Tickets are available online at nmu.universitytickets.com (with a print at home option), by phone at 906-227-1032 or in person at Forest Roberts Theatre beginning one hour before scheduled performances, $17 for adults and $11 for seniors and students.

This activity is supported by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

About Theatre for All – Sensory Friendly Performances:

Each sensory-friendly show is performed in a friendly, supportive environment for all! Slight adjustments to the production are made, including reduction of any jarring sounds or strobe and spotlights that shine into the audience. House lights are faintly dimmed, but remain on. Quiet and activity areas are available in the lobby areas for those who need to leave their seats during the performance. The schedule for “Annie JR.” will include a Theater for All performance at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11.

About Superior Arts Youth Theater

Superior Arts Youth Theater is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving the central Upper Peninsula that seeks to provide young people ages 4-18 with educational, performance, and technical theater opportunities. Learn more about Superior Arts Youth Theater by visiting saytheater.org or liking Superior Arts Youth Theater on Facebook.