Audrey Esplin and Mallory Stark didn’t realize the friendship they would form by sharing the role of little orphan Annie.
“I have really loved sharing this experience with Audrey,” says Stark, a 7th grader at St. Catherine’s School. “She is so sweet and kind. It’s neat that we’ve been able to be there for each other and cheer each other on through this.”
Having two Annies is definitely “less rigorous than having only one cast,” adds Esplin, an eighth grader at Deep Creek Middle School. “The bond Mallory and I have formed during this process is priceless. She is so talented and fun to be with, and I’m so lucky to share this role with her.”
Cadence Theatre, in association with ATLAS Partnership, will be presenting the Tony Award-winning musical Annie December 12 through December 21 at Libby S. Gottwald Playhouse. The musical showcases the always upbeat orphan Annie whose positivity and enthusiasm captures the heart of a high-powered businessman and proves to everyone that there is always hope even when situations appear dire.
Esplin and Stark bring a “completely different take to the character, which is what excites me most about double casting,” says the show’s director, Rebecca Wahls. “It’s a fundamentally different show depending on which Annie you get to see, even though they’re singing the same words and doing the same choreography. That’s a testament to how emotionally intelligent and technically skilled both of these remarkable young people are.”
Becoming Annie
It is easy to think of Annie as an uncomplicated character, “but I’ve tried my best to add as much emotional depth to her as I can,” says Esplin, who has done four CharacterWorks productions and is a student at the School of Richmond Ballet. “This has been challenging at times, but I feel like I’ve grown a lot through the process.”
Stark, who has appeared in multiple shows with Cadence, SPARC and Ampersand (St. Catherine’s/St. Christopher’s joint upper school theater program) as well as its middle school program, feels that she tends to be similar to Annie by nature.
“I’m feisty and scrappy. My mom always says that about me. I love little kids and taking care of people, animals, etc., so I relate to the nurturing side of Annie as much as the tougher side of her,” she says.
Neither actress has had the opportunity to see the musical on stage but both are excited about the show.
“Annie has always been one of my dream roles, ever since I read the book over and over as a kid,” says Esplin. “I also love Annie’s songs, especially ‘Maybe’ which is so much fun to sing.”
Two Moms Supporting their Daughters
Esplin’s mom, Nicole, was thrilled when her daughter was cast as Annie. “It’s a role she has always wanted to play, and I knew she could do it extremely well,” she says. “I grew up watching the 1982 film version of Annie and would have loved to be in a production of it when I was young. I am so grateful to Cadence for giving Audrey that very opportunity.”
Being cast as one of the Annies, has helped Stark become more self-assured.
“I am building more and more confidence with each day that goes by,” she says. “I’ve also worked hard to get better at memorizing my lines.”
Stark’s mom, Kate, explains that her daughter is an introvert and was very shy as a little girl.
“She struggled to participate in many activities because of those two things. By the end of fourth grade, Mallory had begun to find her voice, quite literally,” she says. “She had a solo in the lower school choir that brought us all to tears. It sounded beautiful, but it was actually more symbolic in that it was the moment we realized that Mallory had found her safe space. And it was the last place one would expect a shy, introverted little girl to find it…on a big stage performing in front of lots of people.”
Both moms see some of Annie’s characteristics in their own daughters.
“Mallory reminds me very much of Annie,” her mom says. “She is hopeful, dutiful, loving, and nurturing. She never hesitates to fight for what is right, even in the face of adversity. Oh, and Mallory loves animals. Working with a real dog on stage has been a dream.”
Esplin and Annie have two main things in common, says her mom. “Leadership ability and persistence. Oh, and the ability to belt show tunes like you wouldn’t believe.”
Annie is Wahls’ first big show in Richmond, and she would love for the musical to make an impression on the audience.
“The show is ultimately about listening and cooperation. Annie says, ‘the sun’ll come out tomorrow, so you gotta hang on till tomorrow,’” she says. “I hope audiences will take that message to heart and be inspired to work hard to make sure that tomorrow is as bright as it can be.”
Annie runs December 12 through December 21 at Libby S. Gottwald Playhouse at Dominion Energy Center. For tickets, visit dominionenergycenter.com/events/detail/annie
