While initially slated to run May 2020, the Theatre Guild has had to put Annie on hold since then due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Brian MacDonald, music director and actor in the show, says they have been rehearsing on and off, whenever restrictions would allow it, since then.
“It’s almost surreal, this has been a two and a half year process,” said MacDonald. “Knowing we’re going to have an audience, it becomes real in our minds. There’s a sense of urgency now that just wasn’t there before.”
He notes that most shows take about three months, from auditions to the presentation, and that this is by far the longest ‘rehearsal’ period he has been a part of.
“The one thing you don’t get during a quick rehearsal schedule, is you don’t get to fully know the cast, so we’ve definitely taken advantage of that.”
MacDonald says that while the cast and crew have grown close, they’ve also had to switch roles for various reasons.
Due to the nature of the musical Annie, many cast members are portrayed by children. Having auditioned over two years ago, some of them just don’t fit the role any more, says MacDonald.
“Voices can change so quick, we’ve found that some of our little sopranos have matured into having a beautiful, young-adult, lower voice.”
Now, less than a week away from presentation, MacDonald says he and the cast are excited to finally be able to share their production with an audience.
“Having an audience to be able to interact with, and to be able to have their reactions - that’s the last piece of this puzzle.”
MacDonald notes how supportive Peterborough is of the arts community, and how lucky he and the performers are to have that.
“There are no words to describe the arts community in Peterborough,” he said. “There’s been many times I’ve left Peterborough , but I’ve always came back. It’s a beacon here. There’s just such a community here. The theatre community is somewhere we can go, where we can learn and where we can play. It’s an experience you just can’t get anywhere else.”
