v 2003-04 Season v

The Watertown Players Schedule for the 2003-04 Season Our 15th Anniversary The Watertown Players will mark their 15th anniversary during the 2003-04 season and are planning a special theatrical season filled with productions sure to please everyone's tastes. See our ad.

Cover of Soundtrack ”Annie” Press Release Article on “Annie” and 15^th Anniversary Year	Annie Jan 16-18, 2003 Starting the season was the musical, "Annie," which ran from January 16-18, 2003, at the Watertown High School auditorium. There were two special children's matinees on Jan. 14, 2003. The musical tells the story of the plucky little red-haired orphan and her dog, Sandy, as she struggles through life in the Great Depression. She finds love and happiness with her adoptive father, Oliver "Daddy" J. Warbucks. Songs from the show include "Tomorrow" and "It's A Hard Knock Life." The show will be directed by Annette Strege, choreographer for the Watertown Players. Kristy Bates is the assistant director. Auditions for "Annie" were held Oct. 26. This production marked the beginning of the 2003 theatrical season for the Watertown Players and also the first of several shows to celebrate the group's 15th anniversary. Leapin' Lizards! The popular comic strip heroine takes centerstage in one of the world's best-loved musicals. "Annie" is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy. A must for any theatre with a large family audience, "Annie" has proven a sure-fire crowd-pleaser, as its record-breaking Broadway run, star-studded motion picture version, hit 20th anniversary Broadway revival and national tour, and countless productions around the globe each year attest. With its upbeat ending, a bright tuneful score which has become a part of the nation's musical heritage, a cast of characters which includes many scene-stealing roles for children (including the coveted title role) and a classic villainess audiences love to hate, it's no wonder this heartwarming show has become an international sensation. ________________________________ Study Guide for “Annie” (23 pages) As an html file As a pdf file ( BEST CHOICE – you need to have the free software, Adobe Acrobat Reader, on your pc to view a pdf file. Allow time for large file to be loaded. If you do not have it can be downloaded here ) “Annie” Picture Portfolio Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4
	Gala 15^th Anniversary Event May 31^st Watertown High School Rehearsal Photo In celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the Watertown Players and as a benefit for the American Cancer Society, the Watertown Players performed "Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein." The event was held on Saturday, May 31st at the Watertown High School. A silent auction held as a benefit for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life raised $817. The musical revue was under the direction of Brandon Thomsen, with assistance from Kristy Bates. Choreography was by Annette Strege and musical accompanist was Patty Zulli. Performers included Anne Penfield, Bill Jannke, Jenny Ortega, Tom Rusch, Bernadette Geib, Bryan Quinn, Kristin Huebner and Ryan Schuenemann.
Cover of Soundtrack A 1950s movie version, starring Rosalind Russell, closely follows the stage play	Auntie Mame July 24-26, 2003 Brandon Thomsen will direct "Auntie Mame" in July 2003. The play is a comedy by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. "We are looking forward to this show," said artistic director Bill Jannke. "It is our goal to bring many types of shows to the Watertown area theater-going public. In the future, we hope to produce dramas and even Shakespeare." The comedy tells the story of Mame Dennis-Burnside, a flamboyant free spirit of the 1920s and 1930s who takes in her orphaned nephew, Patrick, and tries to teach him that "life is a banquet.” Performances: July 24, 25, 26, 7:00 pm at the Watertown High School Auditorium “Auntie Mame” Character List: The Ladies Auntie Mame – Lee Lawler Vera Charles (Mame’s best friend) – Rachel Leverence Norah (Irish nanny) – Jennie Ortega Agnes Gooch (mousy secretary) – Lisa Steffl Gloria Upson (Patrick’s snobby, flighty, upper-class fiancée) – Megan Detrie Mrs. Upson (Gloria’s snobby, flighty mother) – Jan Detrie Pegeen Ryan (Mame’s interior decorator) – Teresa Geib Mother Burnside (Beau’s overbearing mother) – Sue Trepte Sally Cato (Mame’s jealous southern rival) – Laura Gibson Cousin Fan (Beau’s kin) – Diana Bessel Lizzie Beaufort (Beau’s kin) – Jessica Hall Aunt Euphemia – Beth Goodman The Gentlemen Young Patrick (Mame’s nephew) Justin Pratt Older Patrick (Mame’s nephew) – Jodie Hall Ito (Mame’s Japanese houseboy) – Caleb Wohlust Lindsay Woolsey (Mame’s distinguished publisher friend) – Chuck Kaden Beauregard (Southern gentleman) – Clark Schultz Mr. Babcock (stuffy trustee) – W.F. Jannke III Brian O’Bannion (Irish poet) – Clark Schultz Mr. Upson (Gloria’s snobby, boisterous father) – Jim Powell Ralph Devine (experimental school teacher) – Zac Simon Stage Manager – Jim Steffl Theatre Manager – John Trepte “Auntie Mame” Picture Portfolio Comment from the director: The show was most certainly a success. We had outstanding audiences and received standing ovations all three nights. The cast and crew of this production were absolutely wonderful. I consider it a great honor to have directed this show. Brandon J. Thomsen
Cover of Soundtrack	A Christmas Carol Nov 28-30, Dec 6-7, 2003 Octagon House Museum The annual holiday production at the Octagon House Museum, 919 Charles St., for 2003 will be an adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol." The show will be directed by Jannke. This show will mark the 20th anniversary of the holiday plays, the first one, being in 1983.
Cover of Soundtrack	The Music Man Jan 2004 Watertown High School A production of Meredith Wilson's classic of "The Music Man" will be offered in January 2004. The play is set in the small Iowa town of River City in 1912 and tells the story of Harold Hill, a super salesman who tries to sell a boys band to the citizens. There are many musical hits in this show, including "Seventy-Six Trombones," "Gary, Indiana," and "Till There Was You." Annette Strege will be the director for this show.