Wrentham Teen Cast in Franklin "Annie" Production

Wrentham’s Jenna McDermott will play the title role in the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) production of "Annie," to be performed on Saturday, March 3, at 7:30pm and Sunday, March 4 at 2pm, at the Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium, 224 Oak Street, in Franklin.

A student at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) since age four, McDermott studies ballet, jazz and modern dance, as well as acting and voice. A member of Electric Youth, an elite ensemble of talented singer-dancers trained at FSPA, Jenna will tour Italy and Austria with the group this summer.

McDermott has performed in FPAC productions of "Humbug!," "’Tis the Season" and "The Nutcracker" (Clara), as well as FSPA’s "Peter and the Wolf" (Duck) and SummerStage production of "Beauty and the Beast" (Lefou).

“I have been in many FPAC productions and have loved them all, but I am especially excited for 'Annie!'” said McDermott. “This is my first lead role and a big responsibility – but I can’t wait to fulfill it!”

The thirteen-year-old leads a cast of area professionals and talented amateur and student performers in FPAC’s staging of the Tony award-winning musical. "Annie" features Franklin’s Nick Paone, creatively cast in the role of Miss Hannigan; Bob Matson of Millis as Daddy Warbucks; Amanda Flynn of Plainville as Grace Farrell; and Franklin’s Charley Eastman and Kellie Stamp in the roles of Rooster and sidekick Lily. The production also showcases a supporting ensemble of MetroWest area children, teens and adults from Bellingham, Foxboro,Franklin, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis, Millville, Norfolk and Walpole.

Annie is directed by Raye Lynn Mercer and Nick Paone, with musical direction by HallieWetzell and choreography by Kellie Stamp. Production coordinators are Mercer and Tracy Lane.

The production features the original Broadway score, with Wetzell conducting a professiona lorchestra of Boston-based musicians. Annie follows the adventures of the street-smart orphan as she foils Miss Hannigan, befriends President Roosevelt and finds a new family and home with billionare Oliver Warbucks and beloved dog Sandy.

Tickets for Annie are available through the FPAC box office, located in The Spotlight Shop at 34 Main Street, or by phone at 508-528-8668. For more information, visit www.FPAConline.com.

-Courtesy Franklin Performing Arts Company