Watts Hall Community Players is well over halfway through rehearsals for the well-loved musical “Annie” to go up the last weekend in June, according to the theater group, in a news release. They’re having fun with a large cast ages 6 and older practicing under the stage direction of Lois Pernice, musical direction of Sean Fleming, and with local Maeve Schick McPherson premiering in her first Community Players show as the title role of Annie. 

"The show has been a community effort with local talent such as artistic director of Camden Ballet Theatre's Gabrielle Hymes putting movement to the ear-worming song Hard Knock Life," said the Community Players, in a news release. 

Returning to the Watts Hall stage are Andrew Lipman (Daddy Warbucks), Maria Keeler (Miss Hannigan), James Cook (Rooster), and Gordon Page (FDR), as well as new cast members Kiana Joler (Grace) and Elias Edwards Jenks (Drake and Bert Healy).

 "We have a very talented and enthusiastic cast working hard to complete the final touches on the show,” said stage director Lois Pernice. “We are looking forward to being the first Musical Theater Performance in the newly renovated Watts Hall! "

“Annie” will have a total of 5 performances: Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, at 7 p.m.; matinee, Sunday, June 28, at 3 p.m.; and Thursday, July 2 and Friday, July 3, at 7 p.m.

Purchase tickets to “Annie” by visiting wattshallcommunityplayers.org/events.