‘Annie’ is only a day away

Local kids have spent the summer bringing a Broadway-quality show to a local stage.

Orange County Children’s Theater will present “Annie Jr.,” an all-ages staging of the classic musical based on the “Little Orphan Annie” comic strip, through Sunday at the Huntington Beach High School theater, 1905 Main St.

The full-scale production boasts professional-quality sets, staging and costumes.

“People get a lot for their money when they come to one of our shows,” said parent volunteer Sandra Levy.

Orange County Children’s Theatre, founded in 1969, has produced more than 100 live musicals with casts of children between ages 8 and 19.

The company’s smallest children, as young as 5, perform as the Telegrammers, with their own songs and dances.

“We’re like a big family,” said Tayler Hayes, 16. “I’ve made a lot of friends.”

Tayler, who plays the evil Miss Hannigan, also is in Huntington Beach High School’s Academy for the Performing Arts.

“I’ve actually done ‘Annie’ twice already,” she said, performing as orphans July and Pepper — but Miss Hannigan was always a coveted character.

“This was one of my dream roles,” Tayler said. The girls who played Miss Hannigan when she appeared as an orphan were some of her role models, she said.

The star is Maddie Levy, 12, who appeared last year as Young Cosette in a Hollywood Bowl staging of “Les Miserables.”

“She just loves to act,” her mother, Sandra Levy, said. “Theater really builds confidence for kids.”

Levy said she appreciates how the nonprofit company, which is run by parent volunteers, allows families to spend time together. The parents are taught from the beginning that the company is not somewhere to drop off their child and leave, parents said.

In addition to the performances, the company’s members can participate in expert workshops on auditioning and other topics.

Each show benefits a nonprofit, but “Annie Jr.” is a little different.

“This show is dedicated to one of our cast members, Vallee Marion,” Levy said. “We like to teach the kids to give back.”

Teenager Vallee was in the middle of play rehearsals for “Annie” in July when she was in a car accident. She experienced a severe brain injury, but is now fighting her way back to health, with few expected side effects. Vallee underwent cranioplasty surgery Tuesday.

Part of the show’s proceeds will help with her medical expenses.

“Annie Jr.” features all of the same songs as the original Annie play, including: “Maybe,” “Hard-Knock Life,” “Little Girls,” “I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here,” “N.Y.C.,” “Easy Street,” “You Won’t Be an Orphan for Long,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” “I Don’t Need Anything but You” and “Tomorrow.”

“This is a great show for families to experience live theater,” said Kathy Busby, the show’s director. “The script draws you into the world of Annie and her friends right from beginning to the end. The amazingly talented and energetic cast members are having such a good time, it’s hard not to jump up and join in the fun.”

If You Go

Who: Orange County Children’s Theater

What: “Annie Jr.”

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: Huntington Beach High School theater, 1905 Main St.

Cost: $12 to $14; group discounts and special programs for birthdays and Girl Scouts are available

Information: occt.org; tickets available at the door