It was a packed house at Grace United Church last weekend for all three performances of ‘Annie’ the musical. Bringing together members of the Spirit of Grace singing group, along with Actors United, there were 250 in the audience on Friday for the debut, 275 on Saturday and more than 300 attending the final performance on Sunday.

With the cast of 40 adults and children giving high-calibre acting and singing performances, the classic musical was well-received by Weyburn audiences. It has left many chomping at the bit for an encore from the group in the future.

“Will we do more? Yeah. For sure, we will do more,” said musical Director Colleen Weimer with a smile. “It was a very positive thing, I think, all around, for all of our cast, our actors, our singers, and I think that they want to do more. And every time, it will look a little different.”

She said it’s not always easy to find a musical that could accommodate so many children and adults. In fact, they modified the script for ‘Annie’ to include all 12 children, girls ages eight to 11, in the singing group, and the project originally began with just the children’s singing group. Then the idea evolved, and they decided to expand it to include the actors' group.

The next musical, Weimer said, may have a different focus.

“We’ll definitely look at something with just adults, too, sometimes, and that takes on a different look,” she said. “But I think we’ll look at that, and then maybe some with just kids. And then hopefully, we can find more that combine, because I think that was a little bit of the magic of it, was the different ages.”

"I think that was a little bit of the magic of it, was the different ages.”

She said she wasn’t surprised by the calibre of performances, given the dedication of the cast.

“I was just impressed with everybody’s dedication,” said Weimer. “You just give people that opportunity and you make your practices worthwhile and you give them a chance to perform.”

She noted the audience’s response definitely brought out the best in the cast.

As many are aware, Weimer taught music for 37 years, and she also taught theatre and music at Weyburn Comprehensive School. Weimer drew on her experience to streamline the rehearsals.

“I’m very aware of peoples’ time. When they’re there, they’re practising, they’re not waiting around for other people to practice,” explained Weimer. “I’m very careful of that. I did that at the high school too, because people are busy. So when they’re there, we practice their parts.”

Not only did Weimer and Children's Director Kendra Gonczy work with 40 actors, but there were also another 12 involved with the show for technical assistance with lighting and sound, as well as four musicians who played live music throughout. Even more helpers made posters, programs and worked the canteen.

“Kendra and I thoroughly enjoyed working with everyone, we had a great cast and crew, and we are so thankful for the support from this community and from our church. It was so nice to work in the church. So, we’re very thankful for the support from everyone.”

Within a community the size of Weyburn, having so many willing volunteer actors of all ages, the fact that the Annie character was played by an actual 11-year-old, Brittany Barber, is a marvel in itself. Usually, it is done with an all-adult or an all-child cast.

“To have Annie really be 11 years old, she really is, and then to have the president be an adult man, and not just somebody trying to play that,” she said. “So that was kind of fun to be able to do that.”

Weimer said they had three dress rehearsals for the musical, noting that something she has learned throughout the years is to keep the actors on their toes towards the end, but not exhaust them.

“When performances, the energy starts to take over,” she explained. “I think there were some tired kids on Monday morning, absolutely, but it’s a good tired, and they’ll be fine. They’ll recuperate and they’ll have such great memories.”

However, she noted, nobody complained of being tired.

“Everybody was in it 110 percent,” she said, adding that the actors helped with set changes and got more involved in helping with all of the many details that went into the production.

She said Gonczy made the orphans’ costumes, including all of Annie’s costumes. Mothers and sisters of the young actors also did makeup. Team effort is surely another factor that made the show the success it was.

“Everybody just pulled together so great,” said Weimer.

She said Grace United Church was an ideal, relatively-intimate venue, with the capacity to fit 350 people. However, Weimer feels it's best to fit just over 300, which makes it easier for everyone to properly see the stage.

There have been many people asking how to get involved in the next musical. Weimer said they do intend to put out a casting call for future musical projects.

Funding for future projects will be made possible in part by the proceeds from 'Annie'. Start-up for last weekend’s show was due to sponsorship from Valleyview Petroleums Ltd, Barber Motors, Dan and Tana Cugnet, Southern Glass Works and Centred Physiotherapy & Yoga.

As 800 Weyburn residents go about their holiday season, you can bet your bottom dollar they'll be humming songs like, 'Easy Street', 'Tomorrow' and 'You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile' well into the new year.

See a full photo gallery HERE.

Read more with Colleen Weimer on 'Annie' HERE.