Fallonites learned it’s a “Hard Knock Life” this week when Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) actors made a special appearance in the Fallon lobby to perform a scene from their blockbuster production Annie, which tells the hopeful story of an ambitious orphan who finds herself swept up in a life of luxury. The legendary musical is currently playing to audiences with sold-out performances on the UnitedHealth Group Stage at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and due to the popularity of the show, CTC has just announced an extension of the show to run past its originally scheduled finale date of June 12.

Artistic Director Peter Brosius

After a brief introduction, CTC Artistic Director Peter Brosius enlightened the crowd with insights regarding the CTC production of Annie, the recently announced 2011-12 show season, and other
happenings at Children’s Theatre Company. Brosius joined CTC as its third artistic director in 1997. During his tenure, CTC received the 2003 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, the first-ever youth theatre to be bestowed with the honor. Under Brosius’s leadership, CTC established a new play laboratory called “THRESHOLD,” which has allowed the organization to work with some of the nation’s leading playwrights to create world premier performances on behalf of the theatre. Fallon employees and many of their children were then dazzled by a troupe of seven young actresses, ranging in age from 10 to 13 years old, as they performed the orphanage song “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” complete with broomsticks, buckets, and sleeping bags as props. With nerves of steel and perfect vocal harmony, the young women filled the lobby with music, and after fielding a variety of questions from the audience, they obliged their supporters with an impromptu rendition of another Annie song.

Panu Yang as "Molly," Anna Moskowitz as "Duffy," Jada Moné Stumon as "July," Claire Hoffman as "Pepper," Abby Schroeder as "Tessie," Regan Duffy as "Kate," and Shawnee Elliott as "Annie"

The general consensus of the acting troupe was, “I don’t get nervous for this—it’s easy. But going to school while doing this is HARD.” That said, they all manage to keep up with their schoolwork through a grueling 85-show schedule, and most of the young ladies aspire to have professional acting careers in the future.

For anyone who hasn’t had the opportunity to see a CTC production or, specifically, their production of Annie, don’t miss out on this one as tickets are going fast. Visit www.childrenstheatre.org for additional information and to purchase your tickets.