Leapin' lizards! Annie times 2

by Sharlene Irete

People Editor

The two 10-year-olds have a lot in common " they're both fourth-grade students at Minden Elementary School and are both playing the character of Little Orphan Annie in the BAC Stage Kids musical production of "Annie," opening today at the Brewery Arts Performance Hall in Carson City.

Olivia Swearingen and Emma Sperry play Annie in two different casts and have a lot to compare: their favorite costumes, on recently becoming redheads and what to do when fellow cast members forget lines.

"Some people forget their lines in rehearsal," said Emma. "It's hard. You've got to keep going or say a back-up line. Your brain stops working."

"During our rehearsal, (the character playing the dog) Sandy didn't come out so I had to keep eating my apple, looking around," said Olive.

Emma said she might be a little nervous when rehearsing in front of fellow performers, but being unconcerned with stage fright is something the young actresses have in common.

"I got butterflies in our last rehearsal, but when I walked on stage it was gone," said Olivia.

Both girls dyed their hair red for the role of Annie. When asked about becoming redheads, Emma and Olivia looked at each and smiled.

"I like it!" they both said.

"Annie" was first performed as a Broadway musical in 1977 and is based on the comic strip about the Depression-era character of Little Orphan Annie. The Brewery Arts Center Back Stage Kids production is two casts of 90 area performers between the ages of 6 and 16 years old.

The BAC Stage production of "Annie" is performed at 7 p.m. tonight, Saturday, March 27 and 28, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and March 28 and 29 in the BAC Performance Hall, 511 W. King St., Carson City.

Tickets are $8 general admission, $5 students, seniors and BAC members. Information, breweryarts.org or 883-1976.