Sandy High School (SHS) drama instructor Tomi Griffin directed a production
of “Annie, Jr.” ten years ago, leading her to do the full “Annie” musical this

year. What she discovered, however, is that the cast requirements for the
larger show are just that - larger.

“‘Annie Jr.’ is a lot less,” Griffin said, noting that the cast for the SHS
production at almost 50 students (which doesn’t include students involved
with technical and backstage elements).

The cast also includes a number of students from other schools in the district,
as she opened up auditions to include younger students. So many worthy
young actors showed up that Griffin decided to cast a student as Annie’s dog,
despite Griffin having a dog at home that she thought she would use.

“I want to give every single kid a chance,” she said. “It will build my program
in the long run.”

The popular musical offers the story of Annie, an orphan who lands a home
with billionaire Oliver Warbucks. They try to seek out Annie’s parents, but the
matron of Annie’s orphanage, Miss Hannigan, has a scheme of her own to
make some money.

Griffin noted the story, based on the 1920s comic strip, “Little Orphan Annie,”
by Harold Gray, offers a lesson on keeping a positive attitude in life.

“I think it's going to hit us right when we need it most,” she said of the
November production.

SHS Drama presents “Annie,” music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin
Charnin and book by Thomas Meehan, at 7 p.m. Nov. 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19,
at 37400 SE Bell Street in Sandy. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students
and senior citizens. For more information, call 503-668-8011, ext. 7313.

Drama performances at SHS this year are general seating only on a first
come, first serve basis. There will be no reserved seating.

American Classic at Sandy Actors Theatre
Doug Holtry, who has served on the board of the Sandy Actors Theatre (SAT),
directed and designed lights, noted that Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” is one
of his “bucket list” shows. And while he produced it years ago in Olympia,
Wash., he now gets to check it off that list as the director of SAT’s latest
production.

“It’s an American classic,” Holtry said. “Neil Simon and Oscar and Felix,
everybody knows the references.”

The comedy pits Felix Unger, the neat clean-freak, against his friend Oscar
Madison, an unkempt sportswriter, after Unger’s wife throws him out. The
play inspired a movie starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in 1968 and
the 1970s TV series of the same name starring Tony Randall and Jack
Klugman.

“It is one of the challenges in doing something that is so iconic,” Holtry said.
“I try and keep the personalities as best we can to that. I think they’ll be
surprised and pleased with our version.”

Holtry noted the play is truly a story about friendship and how Oscar and Felix
grow and impact each other.

“Oscar grows and changes so much from the beginning of the show to the end
of the show,” Holtry added. “He’s really just a lonely guy, he’s not really sure
why his wife left him ... he hasn’t come to grips with that.”

SAT presents “The Odd Couple,” by Neil Simon, from Friday, Nov. 11 through
Sunday, Dec. 4, at 17433 Meinig Ave. (behind Ace Hardware). Show times are
7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $18
general admission and $15 for students and seniors (reservations are
recommended). For more information, or to make reservations call 503-668-
6834 or visit sandyactorstheatre.org.

For the entire run of the show, military veterans who show their veteran’s ID
will get $3 off, while those who wear their uniform will receive free admission.
The Wy’East Artisans Guild presents “Mismatched,” a show of artwork by local
artists inspired by “The Odd Couple,” at SAT from Nov. 11 through Dec. 4.

The featured artist for this show is Jennifer Bliesner. As a young adult she
pursued an interest in crafting, but as she approached retirement she was
attracted to watercolor and has been painting for eight years. She teaches
youth art classes at the AntFarm in Sandy and is the current President of the
Wy’East Artisans Guild.

A reception will be held at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at SAT, followed by a
dress-rehearsal performance.