Craig Fiegener
InstantRiverside.com

The warmest “aahhs” were for Sandy; whose real name is Mikey. In the the musical “Annie,” Sandy is a stray dog– a four-legged animal actor who is saved from the dog catcher by Annie. Each time the furry Sandy dashed on stage you could hear and feel the audience react with warmth.

On Wednesday night, Nederlander opened its first Broadway show at Riverside’s Fox Performing Arts Center. The debut performance, which had been scheduled for February 2, was canceled. The change meant that Broadway in Riverside officially began February 3; just shy of 3 years since the renovation started in May of 2007.

The show proved that the newly-renovated Fox is venue worthy of attention for more than concerts. The depression-era musical “Annie,” revolves around the story of a red-headed orphan. Even though it’s a long way from its Broadway premier in 1977, “Annie” contains an underlying theme about a struggling economy; it makes the show feel especially current, except for the regular appearance of F.D.R. as President. Annie (pictured right with Sandy) is played by actress Madison Kerth. This is her second national tour, and that’s probably why her performance is both flawless and appears without effort.

One major renovation of Riverside’s Fox Theater required the destruction of a back wall to make room for a backstage area and tower to hold equipment for Broadway-style shows. The set pieces were remarkable. It was hard to imagine the Fox as a single-screen theater, which it was for many years. “Technology– culture– entertainment– simply passed them by,” said Mayor Ron Loveridge in an earlier documentary on the Fox renovation.

Today Riversiders have a theater that has a strong shot at viability. It’s hard to imagine there had ever been discussion to level the building for parking.

If Wednesday included any opening-night jitters for this first Broadway in Riverside show at the Fox, you wouldn’t know it. The sound quality was crisp, the temperature was pleasant and the seats were comfortable. “Annie” was scheduled for 8 performances in Riverside beginning on February 2; which was canceled. A delay of one day is forgivable given the magnitude of the project. Also understandable is the cancellation of the show set for February 7; competing with the Super Bowl XLIV– on Sunday– can’t be an easy task. The Fox will be dark on Thursday, as the February 4 performance of “Annie” has also been canceled.

On May 28, 2009 Nederlander said “We want affordable family pricing,” according to Carl Thompson, Nederlander’s Riverside general manager. “Annie” tickets are priced from $72 to $22, according to Ticketmaster.

On Wednesday Riversiders proved to Nederlander that they have an appetite for their productions, and Nederlander proved that it can manage the complexities that come with the elaborate staging required to make a Broadway-style show feel at home in the Fox.

Friday’s show will include a cameo with Ward 1 city council representative Mike Gardner, “I think I have 4 lines,” said Gardner. He’s playing a radio announcer in a scene which respectfully includes a polite nod to Riverside.

When Annie takes the stage Friday it’s likely a sure bet that Sandy will again upstage the human actors. Animals have always had a way of stealing the show.

Filed under Video Library, News A1, Entertainment, Headline

Thursday, February 4, 2010

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