Barnstable Native Jeffrey Kelly Returns Home with National Touring Production of ‘Annie’

January 31, 2024February 4, 2024 michaelhoban1 Comment

*Jeff Kelly (center) in National Touring Production of ‘Annie’, coming to Boch Center February6-11*

Jeff Kelley, who plays Rooster Hannigan in the national touring production of Annie that lands next week at the Boch Center Wang Theatre, was not your typical theater kid. Unlike much of the theater community in his age group (almost 33), the Barnstable native did not grow up with ‘Rent’ posters on his wall and didn’t even try his hand at acting until he was in college. After some struggles with his major (earth science) at UMass Amherst, he decided to switch to music as a major (he was a jazz drummer) and took a semester off to focus on auditioning for the school’s music program.

ANNIE (Renaissance City Theatre)

November 1, 2018November 26, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The current show at Renaissance City Theatre the producing entity of Granite Theatre is “Annie”, the 1977 hit musical. Based on Harold Gray’s comic strip “Little Orphan Annie”, it won seven Tony Awards and ran for 2,377 performances. This high energy show is a hit again with this audience. This heart warming musical is the rags-to-riches story of plucky young Annie’s journey from a hard knock orphanage to the luxurious home of billionaire businessman Oliver Warbucks. It has insightful direction by David Jepson, topnotch musical direction by Stephan Decesare and wonderful choreography by Chris Mahn. This show is what is needed in today’s society, a brighter future and the optimism of the title character.

ANNIE – (Uncommon Theatre in Foxboro )

October 17, 2018November 17, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The current show by the Uncommon Theatre in Foxboro at the Orpheum Theatre is “Annie”, the 1977 hit musical. Based on Harold Gray’s comic strip “Little Orphan Annie”, it won seven Tony Awards and ran for 2,377 performances. This high energy show is a hit again with this audience. This heart warming musical is the rags-to-riches story of plucky young Annie’s journey from a hard knock orphanage to the luxurious home of billionaire businessman Oliver Warbucks. It has insightful direction by Meg Quin Dussault, topnotch musical direction by Eric Anderson Jr. and wonderful choreography by Alex Sweeny. This show is what is needed in today’s society, a brighter future and the optimism of the title character.

ANNIE, (Pawtucket Community Players)

October 1, 2017November 12, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The first show of The Community Players 97th season is “Annie” which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. This show is based on Harold Gray’s comic strip Little Orphan Annie, it won 7 Tony Awards and ran for 2,377 performances. With a combination of street smarts and optimism, Annie rises from next to nothing in 1930’s New York. She is determined to find her parents, who left her in the orphanage years ago in the clutches of the evil Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other orphans, Annie manages to foil Hannigan’s greedy plans and find a family with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his secretary, Grace and Annie’s lovable dog, Sandy. It has insightful direction by Brian Mulvey, topnotch music direction by Ron Procopio who plays lead keyboards and conducts a 7 piece orchestra and some energetic dance numbers by Leslie Racine Vazquez. Their combined expertise wins the cast a resounding standing ovation at the close of the show.

ANNIE

September 13, 2017October 13, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

ANNIE

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The current show at Little Theatre of Fall River is “Annie”, the 1977 hit musical. Based on Harold Gray’s comic strip “Little Orphan Annie”, it won seven Tony Awards and ran for 2,377 performances. This high energy show is a hit again with this audience. This heart warming musical is the rags-to-riches story of plucky young Annie’s journey from a hard knock orphanage to the luxurious home of billionaire businessman Oliver Warbucks. It has insightful direction by Paula Arruda, topnotch musical direction by Eli Bigelow and wonderful choreography by Jennifer Bellanti, Nina Calvo, Jill Goulet, Loralee Levesque and Raylin Medina. This show is what is needed in today’s society, a brighter future and the optimism of the title character.