'Annie' opens at Signal Mountain Playhouse amphitheater for eight performances

Since landing the title role of Annie on her first audition for a Signal Mountain Playhouse production, Ellie Lydon is so committed to the part that she cut her long, blonde hair to just above her shoulders and dyed it bright red to suit the look.

"It's not permanent color, so I'm hoping it has washed out by the end of the shows," she says with an optimism that mirrors the spunky fearlessness of the character she's playing.

"Annie" opens Friday, July 5, in the Signal Mountain Playhouse's amphitheater for eight performances on Friday and Saturday nights in July. Based on the "Little Orphan Annie "comic strip by Harold Gray, it's the story of an orphan in search of her parents who wins the hearts of everyone she encounters with her pluck and optimism.

The musical is filled with toe-tapping numbers that have become staples of the Broadway songbook: "It's a Hard Knock Life," "Tomorrow" and "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile."

Ellie Lydon is Annie and Rob Inman plays Daddy Warbucks in the Signal Mountain Playhouse's production of "Annie." Playing Annie's dog Sandy is Luna, whose family is among actors in the cast. "She's done really well. She knows how to sit, come and lay down," says Ellie, who has been training with Luna using treats and hand signals, "but sometimes when she sees her family onstage, she wants to run to them." / Photo by Sheila Harding Cannon

Ellie, 12, is a rising seventh-grader at Baylor School. The daughter of Susan Flack and Jerry Lydon has no stage experience other than a couple of elementary-school plays, and said she "wasn't expecting anything" when she auditioned for this summer musical.

The effervescent rookie is playing opposite local theater veteran Rob Inman as Oliver Warbucks. Other principals in the cast are Deb Meeks as Miss Hannigan, the orphanage director; Bert Healy as Tim Forsythe; and Playhouse newcomers Andres Sharps and Micayla Rowan as Rooster Hannigan and Lily St. Regis.

The directorial staff brings years of experience to the production. "Annie" marks the ninth show Allan Ledford has directed at the Playhouse. The musical director is Jennifer Arbogast Wilson, while Nicholas Hartline returns to conduct the Playhouse Orchestra. Well-known choreographer Lindsay Fussell is making her debut with the Playhouse as choreographer.

Even though "Annie" made its Broadway debut four decades ago, it has never lost its appeal to audiences.

"The music is part of our world now, so many of its songs are iconic," says Ledford. "It's just a well-written show. The characters are certainly memorable and well-developed and people remember them. Like a really good book, you become attached to those characters."

The Playhouse box office opens at 6 p.m. for those who wish to place their lawn chairs early before the show at 8 p.m. Parking for the amphitheater will be in the Signal Mountain Town Center and adjacent streets. The Playhouse is handicapped accessible. Concessions and porta-potties are on-site.

For more information: smph.org or 423-763-7219.