TWO Wimmera 11-year-olds will star in Horsham Arts Council’s new production of Annie.
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Horsham’s Claudia Lopez O'Donnell and Stawell’s Bonnie Mellor will share the production’s lead role.
This will be both Claudia’s and Bonnie’s first arts council show.
Claudia said she wanted to audition for Annie because she had a passion for acting.
“It was a great opportunity to be involved in the show with my friends,” she said.
“The audition was a bit scary and nerve-racking, but I got through it.”
Claudia said she was excited to play Annie.
“I’m looking forward to getting closer with the other Annie, Bonnie, and having fun with the whole team,” she said.
Claudia said her favourite song from the show was Tomorrow.
“It happens when Annie is feeling down, but then she sings the song and it makes everything better,” she said.
Bonnie said she was very excited to be involved in the production.
“I was very surprised when I found out I would be playing Annie,” she said.
“I was so excited that I started crying.
“I was nervous in the audition but once I got through it, I was alright.”
Bonnie said she was looking forward to working with all the cast and having a good time.
She said her favourite songs from Annie were Tomorrow and Maybe.
Bonnie said the cast would start rehearsals in February.
Production producer Simon Dandy said the lead role of Annie was demanding, which was why the council had cast two people.
“They’ll share the role – they sang it well, they acted well and they can move. We’re really happy,” he said.
More than 140 people auditioned for the show’s 60 roles.
The cast had a meet and greet night on Saturday.
Emily Friedrichsen-Hay will direct the show.