Two Young Annies Brighten Christmas
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
Annie, the little girl with a mop of curly red hair, sings with hope in a clear voice, whether in a dreadful orphanage or in the arms of Oliver Warbucks, the billionaire.
Presented by Seoul Metropolitan Musical Theatre, the musical ``Annie'' tells the story of an orphaned girl, who desperately waits for her parents with half of a heart-shaped locket in an orphanage. One day, she is chosen to spend Christmas with a money-is-everything billionaire Warbucks. Annie's heartwarming character changes Warbucks and he tries to find Annie's parents. However, the cruel manager of orphan asylum, Miss Hannigan schemes to win prize money for finding Annie's parents.
The musical, which premiered in Broadway 1977, first performed in Korea last year. It won the Best Foreign Musical and Best Theatrical Technician at the 13th Korea Musical Awards in November.
Lee Ji-min, 11, has played the role of Annie for two consecutive years. The daughter of musical actor Lee Jung-yeol, she was first attracted to the stage after watching her father take a curtain call. Having already starred in the musical ``Sound of Music'' as the sixth child Marta in 2005, Lee was highly praised for playing Annie last year. ``I have grown five centimeters this year and now am 142 centimeters tall. But they thought I was short enough to play Annie again,'' Lee told The Korea Times.
Another Annie, Park Do-yeon, 10, newly joined the production through an audition in the fall. Park had played young Nala in the Korean version of the musical ``The Lion King'' for a year. Park compared the two performances saying, ```The Lion King' was difficult because I had to be the lion, not human. `Annie' is easier in that way but I have to memorize a lot of movements, lines and songs since I am the main character.''
The two Annies speak out in unison about the thrill of acting on stage. ``I love singing, dancing and acting on stage. I am happy since I can do what I want to do,'' said Lee. Park pointed out, ``When I am on stage, I can see audience's reaction immediately, unlike on a television. I get excited when people applaud me for my song.''
Both of the girls' mothers are supportive of these young professionals. ``I put what my daughter wants first. Musicals are what Do-yeon wants and I support her doing that,'' said Park's mother.
They both want to be on stage when they grow up. Park wants to resemble Jeon Su-kyoung, the renowned musical actress who plays Miss Hannigan in ``Annie'' and Tanya in ``Mamma Mia!'' Lee wishes to be a memorable musical actress. ``Everyone in the show practices so hard. I will do my best just like them even if I am not the protagonist,'' Lee said.
Lee and Park are aspiring performers but they already have their wannabes. Kim Mi-rang, 8, who has been playing Molly for two years, said, ``I want to play Annie just like Ji-min and Do-yeon next year.''
After performing in ``Annie,'' Park will star in the homegrown musical ``Soridoduk,'' while Lee will dub the voice of Linny the Guinea Pig from ``Wonder Pets.''
The musical will be staged in the Grand Theater of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, northern Seoul from Dec. 15-29. English subtitles are provided. For more information, call (02) 399-1772 or visit ticket.interpark.com.