Summer Youth Musicals, a Jefferson County performing arts youth organization, will stage “Annie JR.” from Friday through Sunday, July 21-23, at the Jefferson College Fine Arts Theatre on the Hillsboro campus.
Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $4 for children 10 and younger.
The cast consists of youngsters ages 7-14.
Annie M. Smith of Arnold and Jackie Brown of De Soto, who founded Summer Youth Musicals in 2022, are directing the show, an adaptation of the Broadway musical “Annie.”
It is targeted to young audiences, Smith said.
“The performances are only an hour long,” she said. “It’s streamlined. It’s geared to this age group.”
Nevertheless, she said the performances should appeal to a wide range of people.
“It’s for anyone,” Smith said. “(The streamlined performances) still include familiar songs such as ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’ from the regular version of ‘Annie.’”
Clara Kutrip of Dittmer will play Annie.
Other lead cast members include Isabella Pinkel of De Soto, Marshall Bedell of De Soto, Jenna Brickler of Hillsboro, Jadon Reed of Hillsboro and Delaney Bone of Festus.
Additional cast members include Hazel Beck of Festus, A.J. Brown of De Soto, Olivia Carroll of Hillsboro, Reagan Dolan of Hillsboro, Tali Kennard of De Soto, Landon Kley of Hillsboro, Kylie Kraeuter of Hillsboro, Millie McLean of Hillsboro, Tess O’Donnell of De Soto, Trenton Reed of Hillsboro, Ava Sarver of House Springs, Levi Sarver of House Springs, Clementine Somers of Richwoods and Stella Umfleet of Hillsboro.
Liz Pierce of Hillsboro is the stage manager.
“Jackie and I started (Summer Youth Musicals) last year so we could give youth in Jefferson County the opportunity to perform in musical theater,” Smith said. “We started it at Hillsboro Elementary School. I’m a teacher there. We are not affiliated with the college, only renting the theater for the performances.”
While Jefferson County residents dominate the cast, youngsters from outside of the county are welcome to try out for Summer Youth Musicals performances, she said.
“It’s not just for Jefferson County kids,” Smith said.
Tickets for “Annie JR.” may be purchased at summeryouthmusicals.ludus.com.
For more information about the show or the group, visit the Summer Youth Musicals Facebook page.