Young actors at the California Arts Academy will perform a rendition of the 1977 musical, Annie, for Fresno audiences. The cast includes FC sophomore Madison Dooley who will act as three characters in the play.

The show will run from Jan. 30 to Feb. 8 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the Academy’s theater, located at 4750 N. Blackstone Ave. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. while Sunday showings begin at 2 p.m.

Tickets cost $10 in advance for adults and $12 on the day of the show. Students and seniors pay $5 or $6 depending on time of purchase.

In order to develop her theatrical skills, Dooley has committed herself to three full years of junior musicals at the Academy. In the past year, she portrayed characters at the forefront of Honk Jr., Grease and Alice in Wonderland.

“Musicals are my passion; they’re what I want to do when I grow up,” Dooley said. “People should come see Annie because it’s a great musical with funny moments throughout the show.”

Now in Annie, Dooley will play the roles of an orphan, Annette the maid and star-to-be. The musical centers around Annie, an orphan girl who lives in an orphanage with matron Ms. Hannigan. She never knew her parents, but received a letter from them explaining that they would return for her soon.

After a while, billionaire Oliver Warbucks takes her in and begins the adoption process. However, Ms. Hannigan enlists her brother, Rooster, and his girlfriend to try and take Annie back by masquerading as her parents. Their plan intends to gain the money Mr. Warbucks offered to Annie’s real parents.

Unlike the 1982 film, the junior performance will not include the original script or musical numbers. It will last a little over an hour, and drinks and snacks will be provided during the intermission.

According to Dooley, Annie is a family-oriented musical that will delight theater novices and thespians alike.

For more information on Madison Dooley’s theater ventures, visit the Feb. 6, 2008, article, Alice in Wonderland musical resembles dream.