April 21 , 2022 The Beacon • 17
River View students ready to perform ‘ Annie ’
By Josie Sellers
River View High School students will bring “ Annie ” to the stage in their auditorium on Friday and Saturday , April 29-30 at 7:30 p . m .
“ This is an incredibly committed group ,” said Mary McMullen , River View musical director . “ They are doing a fantastic job and are ready to work when asked . The work we ’ ve put in to get them to love every part of the theater is really showing . They are helping with costumes , sets , lights and volunteering on the weekends . This is a fun show . The music is uplifting , and it seemed right for the group of kids we have .”
Annie is played by Saylor Starkey , who is a junior at RVHS .
“ I was very shocked I got the part but also very excited ,” Starkey said . “ This is a very heartwarming play .”
The other well-known role in the play went to senior Matthew Cullison , who is Mr . Warbucks .
Josie Sellers
Annie Bosson , far right , is one of several River View alumni helping with the production , “ Annie .” She is pictured working on choreography with the students .
“ I had talked about wanting to be in a musical and was halfway convinced to audition when I found out my girlfriend was too ,” Cullison said . “ I figured it was my senior year ; I might as well . It ’ s been interesting . It ’ s more relaxed than I thought it would be . We still work , but it ’ s
not as stressful as I thought it would be .”
His girlfriend , Samantha McCarthy , received the role of Grace Farrell , Warbucks ’ private secretary and low-key love interest .
“ I love musicals ; I always have ,” the RVHS senior said .
“ Being in this is the coolest thing ever . I really like the music and the cast . We ’ ve put a lot of work into this , and everyone should come and see it .”
Senior Michaela White plays Miss Hannigan .
“ She complains a lot and yells at the orphans ,” White said .
“ I ’ ve always loved theater and have always loved this play .”
Junior Grace Cullison is Rooster , who is Miss Hannigan ’ s brother .
“ Trying to learn how to be a guy has definitely been really different ,” Grace Cullison said .
Sophomore Lilly Wells is Lily St . Regis in the production .
“ I just really love the character ,” Wells said . “ She is bubbly and wacky . She is a really good character to play .”
Tickets to “ Annie ” are $ 7 and can be purchased online at www . onthestage . tickets / show / river-view-high-school-dept-ofmusic / annie-88614 /.
“ It ’ s got funny parts , but it also reminds you to look on the bright side when you are having a hard time ,” White said .
Grace Cullison said their version of “ Annie ” will be unique from others . “ Mrs . McMullen does a good job of making it different ,” she said . “ There will be little things in there that you ’ ll see that we did different .”