Act Two Singing for You

Annie and Jekyll Casts Show Their Stuff

By Joel Markowitz

Listen for yourself to see why two Act Two musicals from this past season made it into my Top 10 for the year

JEKYLL AND HYDE

What an honor to hear three vocally incredible young singers in Act Two’s stunning production of Frank Wildhorn’s Jekyll and Hyde which was part of a double header with Annie Jr. on Saturday, August 18th.

Tracy Ramsay (Lucy) and Elizabeth Askins (Emma) sing their duet, “In His Eyes,” and Miguel Amaguana (Jekyll/Hyde) sings “This is the Moment,” then talk about their characters, the vocally challenging score, their vocal training, and their appearances in local productions. Listen here.

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ANNIE

The sun was coming out a lot as three 10 year old talented young actors starred in Act Two’s abridged production of Annie, called Annie Jr. at The Olney Theatre Center the weekend on August 17th and 18th.

It was a 7 1/2 year old pistol named Justin Marks, who stole the show and had the crowd roaring. Here he was as the conniving Rooster, a little guy with big lungs and great Jack Benny - type comic timing - singing and dancing to “Easy Street”, keeping up with his very much taller co-stars, and trying to hit on Grace, Daddy Warbuck’s assistant. Talk about a memorable stage debut!

Justin Marks (Rooster), Rachel Hahn (Annie), Nora Manzella (Miss Hannigan), and Nikolas Krieger (Daddy “Oliver” Warbucks) sing highlights of their “big numbers,” and talk about their characters and the show. Listen here.

Act Two’s productions of Les Miserables and Blood Brothers appear on my Ten Best Musical Productions and performances. Check out the gallery of pictures from Les Miserables here.

Congrats to all the young actors, their dedicated parents, and to Keith Tittermary, Kevin Kuchar and Scott Selman for bringing us such an incredible season at Act Two. I’m really looking forward to next year’s season of lighter musicals.