A young Hobart actress is set to take on her biggest role yet in the upcoming production of Annie at Hobart’s Theatre Royal.
Calliope Xintavelonis will play one of three Annie’s in the lead role in the family-friendly musical.
“It’s one of my favourite musicals,” she said.
“Annie’s an 11-year-old girl, she’s very optimistic and very cheerful and she ends up getting adopted by a billionaire.”
Calliope said she was excited to be a part of the show and to work alongside seasoned professionals like Michelle Williams, who will play the role of Miss Hannigan.
Her mum and the show’s Assistant Director, Cassie Xintavelonis, said over 80 children auditioned for the production, before settling with a cast of 35 performers across 15 shows.
“[There are some] really seasoned professionals and some newcomers to Tasmanian theatre,” she said.
The musical will be led by an all-female team of Director Ingrid Ganley, Choreographer Kate Crichton and Musical Director Emily Braithwaite.
Jill Munro has been appointed Set Designer, Roz Wren takes on the Costume Designer role and Petrie Porter is responsible for hair and makeup.
Xintavelonis says this year’s show is “really special” for the adult cast, because three of them were also in the last Hobart production of Annie twenty years ago.
“John [Xintavelonis] played Daddy Warbucks, Michelle [Williams] played Lily and I was a Boylan sister and a maid,” she said.
“So lots of fond memories that we now kind of get to share with the younger generation, which is great.”
Annie will run from October 11 to 26 at the Theatre Royal in Hobart.
