By Eva Trieger
LA JOLLA, California — As nearly 500 youngsters took their seats in the Garfield Theater of the Lawrence Family JCC, Pied Piper Joey Landwehr greeted them and gave some pointers on being the perfect audience. He engaged the viewers to define “focus” and “respect” so that the show would be most rewarding for actors and attendees. What a clever way to invite active participants and eager minds!
Even without his intro, I believe the children facing the stage were rapt the moment the curtain rose. The set and costumes were vibrant, the musical prelude and the choreography, riveting. And, of course, once we arrive in the orphanage, we meet our brave heroine and eponymous gal, Annie (Lindsay Van Winkle). The de rigeur red wig sets her apart from all of the other orphans. There is also the fact that she believes she actually has living parents who will one day return for her…
Before I delve too deeply into reviewing this show, I want to alert you to Joey Landwehr’s raison d’etre. This guy not only believes that everyone needs to have theater in their lives, he is devoted to making that a reality for populations that generally fly under the radar. As previously reported in the San Diego Jewish World , Landwehr and backers enabled children with new cochlear implants to experience live theater for the first time in their lives. The ramifications are staggering. How many youngsters who have been deprived of this medium can benefit from seeing a show?
While many of us may agree that there are benefits to delivering theatre to an underserved population, there remains the hurdle of fundraising. Random Acts of Culture, the brainchild of Landwehr and Managing Director, Jamie Gilchrist, depend upon the kindness of benevolent strangers, to paraphrase Tennessee Williams. Without underwriters from the community, these events simply can’t happen. Due to Landwehr’s courage and commitment, San Diego’s oft-ignored populations are now guests of the JCC, taking in incredible scenery, adventurous choreography and enthusiastic acting. The Autism Society and Rady Children’s Hospital have both enjoyed the largess of Random Acts of Culture, but so many more groups yearn to share in this glorious experience. Children of military families, Friendship Circle and the Girls and Boys Club have all been embraced and enriched by Landwehr’s dynamic vision.
If you’re assuming that the rewards are one sided, you are mistaken! J*Company’s Artistic Director told me that he “teared up” when he saw how touched his actors were as they greeted these audiences in the hallway after the performance. The tenderness and mutual respect profoundly moved Landwehr.
Leapin’ lizards! I haven’t forgotten Annie and all of the very clever lyrics and choreography that make this troupe so charming. Though the waifs sing, “No one cares a smidge when you’re in an orphanage,” the audience becomes concerned when the sinister Miss Hannigan (Zoe Goldstein) decapitates a doll in her intimidating number “Little Girls.” Annie has had enough and makes her escape without detection. Sadly, she is picked up by the police and returned to her shrewish warden. Before Miss Hannigan’s wrath can be visited upon the little imp, enter Oliver Warbuck’s secretary, in search of an orphan to bring home for the holidays. Guess who she chooses?
Act two opens with a scene change. The Big Apple is home to Keystone cops and skyscrapers. Period music plays on a radio as we meet Miss Lily St. Regis (Isabelle Pizzuro) from Joisey City, the girlfriend of Rooster Hannigan (Maxim Bregman). This duo plots to claim Annie as their daughter and collect a reward from Oliver Warbucks (Mikel Lemoine), that they’ll split with Rooster’s sister, none other than Miss Hannigan! They plan to divide their money and meet on “Easy Street,” with a very clever and memorable song and dance routine.
Naturally, Oliver Warbucks becomes so enchanted with our little Annie, that he promises to help her find her parents. Rooster Hannigan claims paternity by showing the billionaire Annie’s bogus birth certificate which reads “Annie Mudge Steinberg Schwartz” and explains that “Steinberg Schwartz is silent.” When Miss Hannigan, Rooster and Lily St. Regis are exposed for the charlatans they are, Warbucks has them arrested and all of the orphans gleefully rejoice.
Next on deck for J*Company will be the final show of the season. West Side Story will run from May 8-17 and will include a full orchestra teaming up with a cast of older kids. This production will be a little edgier and contains no small parts. Everyone involved in the show is essential to its wholeness. If a wonderful underwriter comes forward, Random Acts of Culture will offer a show on Thursday, May 14th to some incredibly fortunate and grateful children.
The artistic director has shared the future anticipated dates for these spectacular shows that will benefit the audiences, the actors, and enrich our community with theater, nachas and a true sense of togetherness and purpose. These offerings include Mary Poppins, Seussical, Annie 2, and Once on This Island. If you’d like to contribute to this worthy goal, contact Jamie Gilchrist, the J*Company’s managing director.
Landwehr’s motivation for bringing theater to everyone is illustrated by this statement that he shares with his actors, who understand the importance of sharing this medium. “You never know if you are performing for someone’s first time in a theater, or his last. Each show must be your best.”
Tickets are available at www.jcompanysd.org or by phone :858-362-1348
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Trieger is a freelance writer who specializes in coverage of the arts. You may contact her at eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com, or post your comment, per the instructions below.
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The Friendship Circle has been one of the beneficiaries of Random Acts of Culture. Some of the actors have also been Friendship Circle volunteers. When the Friendship Circle participants see “their” volunteer on stage they get the happiest grins. Afterwards they delight in giving heart-warming hugs to “their” volunteers. In addition to Random Acts of Culture, the Friendship Circle has benefitted from a generous grant from the Jewish Women’s Foundation. The JWF has sponsored joint outings by the JFS’s seniors and the Friendship Circle’s adults. Both groups frequently are socially isolated and loved joining together to attend a performance of Annie. They are eagerly anticipating their next trip to see Westside Story at the J. –Elisheva Green, San Diego