At the end of the movie Annie, little orphan Annie was adopted by Daddy Warbucks and the curtain drops while they celebrate Christmas morning in 1933. They are going to live happily ever after.
That is, until the curtain rises at the beginning of Annie Warbucks, the sequel and this year’s play put on by Columbia Adventist Academy students in this annual tradition.
The story starts with Annie (played by senior Hannah Shenk), Daddy Warbucks (played by senior Mike Morauske), his personal secretary Grace Farrell (played by senior Nickele Prahl) and Annie’s friends from the orphanage singing and celebrating Christmas.
Suddenly, the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Child Welfare, Harriet Doyle (played by senior Caitlin Perry), shows up with the bad news. Since Oliver Warbucks is not married, he has broken the law by adopting Annie.
Commissioner Doyle has come to return Annie to the orphanage. Oliver’s attorney, Simon Whitehead (played by senior Ryand Boardman), suggests Warbucks get married quickly so he can keep Annie.
Of course, the adventure continues with new songs, new heroes, new villains and new problems to be solved. The story ends, however, with Oliver Warbucks finally figuring out that it has been Grace Farrell that he has loved all along. They wed, adopt all the orphans, and this time, along with Annie and her faithful dog Sandy (played by “Flora”), they will indeed live happily ever after.
This annual November play tradition started as a way for the Columbia music department to raise money for their yearly spring music tour.
The play featured 25 CAA students and five Meadow Glade Elementary School students. KaraLeigh Kandoll, CAA senior, was the featured accompanist on piano.
Directed by Columbia music teacher Nita Yuros along with Columbia parents Anne Lamberton and Gayle Perry, this year’s play grossed just under $5,000 for the costs of the tour.
Annie (Hannah Shenk) celebrates her new life alongside Daddy Warbucks (Mike Morauske). (Maretta Kandoll)
