CHILDREN’S THEATER REVIEW : Young Cast Makes a Sugary ‘Annie’ Palatable

Plucky red-haired orphan meets blustery billionaire and wins heart of same. Girl’s optimism inspires President to lead nation out of Great Depression. A little singing, a little dancing, and everybody lives happily ever after.

In the hands of a more sophisticated (read: grown-up) cast, the life-is-a-bowl-of-cherries theme of the Tony-winning musical “Annie” can be, for some anyway, a little too sweet. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the Fullerton Children’s Repertory Theater, which closes its run of “Annie” this weekend at Fullerton High School.

Directed by Birdie Strey and Vicki Schindele, the 43-member cast, ages 10 to 14, pours on so much natural enthusiasm that adults and kids can swallow the sugary tale with a smile. With few exceptions, the singing is bright and tuneful, the dancing (especially the orphans’ “Hard-Knock Life”) is snappy, and the characters are entertaining company for all ages.

The principals in FCRT’s “Annie” have been double cast to give more kids a chance at the major roles. At last Friday night’s performance, 12-year-old Melissa Lyons played Annie with a clear singing voice and plenty of gee-whiz spirit. And 13-year-old Becky Doubledee was brimming with nastiness as Miss Hannigan, the volatile, man-hungry mistress of the orphanage (whose hip-grinding rendition of “Little Girls” was a kick).

Joseph Broumand, 13, brought a certain authority (and a full head of hair) to “Daddy” Warbucks, and 13-year-old Brian Singer, fully outfitted with wheelchair and cigarette holder, was a delightfully pompous FDR. With stiletto heels and a mop of blond curls, Alyse Spiegel, 12, lent gum-popping “Joisey” charm to the role of Lily. And a golden dog biscuit goes to Bud Emary, a scene-stealing golden retriever, for his portrayal of Sandy.

Co-founded by teachers Strey and Schindele in 1983, the Fullerton Children’s Repertory Theater presents two fully staged Broadway musicals each year at Fullerton High’s Little Theater. Productions have included “South Pacific,” “The Sound of Music” and “42nd Street.” “Hello, Dolly!” is scheduled for later this year.

All shows are cast from a company of about 40 fifth- through eighth-graders. The students can remain in the acting corps for up to four years; open auditions are held each year to fill available slots.

“With the repertory company, we’re building a theatrical family where the older children can act as mentors for the younger ones,” explained Schindele. “By working together over a period of years, they become very comfortable and supportive of each other. It’s a very positive experience for them.”

After graduating from eighth grade, company members can move backstage as members of the technical crew, helping to create the show’s sets, lighting, sound and costumes. Parents and siblings also can lend a hand (“Annie” costume designer Bronwen Shirk, a high school junior who is the older sister of a FCRT member, regularly supervises a full crew of moms in costume construction, Schindele said.)

The Fullerton Children’s Repertory Theater has two overseas tours to its credit. In 1985, the group performed at the international Youth Musicale in Shizouka, Japan. In 1988, it participated in the French Music Festival in Annecy, and appeared in a Bastille Day celebration in Grenoble. Students helped raise funds for their travel expenses through sales and benefit performances. Schindele and Strey have announced tentative plans for a tour to Sweden and Denmark this summer.

The Fullerton Children’s Repertory Theater presents “Annie” Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the Fullerton High School Little Theater, behind Plummer Auditorium at the corner of Lemon Street and Chapman Avenue. Tickets: $5 (but seating is limited). Information: (714) 870-6911.