By BOBBIE GREEN
The Progress
It was a gorgeous night on May 25, 2021, in Ivins, Utah where the beautiful and unique Tuacahn Amphitheatre is located.
This is Tuacahn’s 25th Anniversary Season, and it was able to open this year because it is an outdoor theater. Tuacahn created a COVID-safe environment for rehearsals that went on earlier this year.
The Broadway production this night was “Annie.” The audience was in a cheerful mood getting to be out without having to wear masks. They were anxious to see the story of a favorite comic strip character: orphan Annie and her orphan dog Sandy come alive.
They were not disappointed. The story began in the orphanage with all the children, there were many in this production. Besides, Annie I counted 15 young singers and dancers.
These kids delighted the audience with their charmingly choreographed songs and dances. Anyone with youngsters interested in the performing arts this would be the production they should not miss. They get to see how people their age can enhance and excel in a performance.
Annie, played by Lydia Rick, pleased the audience with her songs and melted the gruff Daddy Warbucks’ (Michael Scott Harris) heart enough to help in her search for her parents. The story takes place while F.D.R. was President and a little political humor is thrown in the mix.
No one will soon forget Miss Hannigan (Terra C. Macleod), the duplicitous head mistress of the orphanage. She is a veteran actress and knows how to deliver her lines perfectly, she entertained the audience and kept them laughing with every word she spoke or sang.
Annie’s orphan dog Sandy was making his acting debut. The 2-year-old Golden Doodles’ real name is Griffey, and he is from Mesquite, Nevada.
Griffey’s owners, the Harris family of Mesquite, answered a casting call on Facebook from Tuacahn looking for a dog to play Sandy. They took their well-trained dog in for the audition and were quite surprised when he got the part.
Griffey is now in residence at Tuacahn for the duration of the Annie production which runs until the end of July. He does get to make short visits home.
Griffey even has an understudy like all of the cast members, his name is Quincy.
Sometimes he even has sleepovers at Lydia Ricks’ house, they have become good friends. His other best friend is Kim Davis, the animal trainer for Tuacahn when needed.
“Kim Davis is just the best,” said Griffey’s owner Shannon Harris. “She is so good with the dogs. Griffey is getting even more training while in the show.”
The New York skyline and city streets were superbly depicted as the sets at Tuacahn always are. It is simply fascinating how they can make things look so real.
There are fireworks at the end of the show, if you are too quick to leave you will miss them.
Those who want to get there early will find the Tuacahn Café a satisfying place to grab a bite to eat.
Seating is inside or outside on the patio. We found the burgers, and sandwiches better than expected, love the fries. The Café opens at 5pm on concert and Broadway show nights .
There are three snack bars open, allowing quick service at intermission.
They do have valet parking for $10.00. It is conveniently located near the elevators, which is wonderful for the handicapped.
We had a marvelous evening with a relaxing and entertaining Broadway Musical under the stars.
Other Broadway shows being presented this season are Beauty and Beast, The Count of Monte Cristo, and the School of Rock.
