St. Luke’s Theatre Company has announced their 2025 production, the musical “Annie.”
Set during the Great Depression, the Broadway musical is “one of hope, resilience, and the power of kindness,” the producers shared.
The show features “Annie’s unwavering optimism and belief in a better future” that inspires “those around her that one can find the strength to persevere and that positive attitudes and kind actions can lead to brighter outcomes.”
The show will be performed by a cast of 57 actors from Federal Way and the region, and performed at St. Luke’s Church in Federal Way.
The starring role of Annie will be played by Kennedy Cullinane or Berlyn Thiel, depending on the evening, and Molly will be played by Annie Phillips or Londyn Le.
“When you do a show like ‘Annie,’ you get to meet a lot of new people who have never worked in our theater program before. We have 21 girls playing Annie and the orphans, and 17 of them are brand new to our program,” Director Loretta Howard told the Mirror.
“It’s a big deal to cast your lead(s) from a talent pool of mostly unknowns,” Howard said, adding that “it’s exciting to engage with all new members of our cast and their families.”
The show consistently offers opportunities for professional actors to participate in a show that is less demanding and more flexible than typical theater productions. It is also an accessible opportunity for those with no experience to audition for a welcoming community theater experience.
“A show like ‘Annie’ brings in people from all over the Puget Sound who want to work at our theater company in Federal Way, just so they can be a part of this show,” Howard said.
Last year’s performance of “The Wizard of Oz” was a great example of this, with actors coming to Federal Way from all over the region to participate, like Carolyn Hastings, who drove from Bothell for rehearsals.
The production company focuses on creating family-friendly opportunities to participate in positive theater experiences for audiences and actors, putting together high quality performances and offering them at an affordable price of $10 a ticket.
This year’s show will open on Friday, Nov. 7, and run through Nov. 16. For specific showtimes and tickets, head to https://cur8.com/25826/project/133413
Theatre Director Loretta Deranleau Howard, Marketing and Publicity manager Kendra Breyer, Stage Manager Tammy Fossett and Shalena Putnam of St Luke’s Theatre Company. Photos by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
Theatre Director Loretta Deranleau Howard, Marketing and Publicity manager Kendra Breyer, Stage Manager Tammy Fossett and Shalena Putnam of St Luke’s Theatre Company. Photos by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
