Musicals, concerts

A popular musical is being performed this week by Southeast Missouri State University students and a faculty member at the university's River Campus.

"Annie," a Broadway musical based on the comic strip "Little Orphan Annie", started Wednesday night. Remaining performances are scheduled for 8 tonight and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall.

The production's cast of characters includes Anna Hebrank, a freshmen studying musical theater at Southeast, as Annie. Joe Mason, a fine-arts instructor at the university, plays the role of Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks. In addition to other students and younger cast members from the community, an 18-month-old hound mix from Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary in Jackson named Lloyd portrays Annie's dog Sandy.

Southeast has shown the ability to put on impressive shows, thanks to talented students and hardworking cast, crew and instructors. Tickets are still available for "Annie," but they're going fast.

Speaking of young talent and local arts, the Central High and freshman orchestras will perform the first show at Central's Kinder Performance Hall at the high school. Central will show off the performance hall with three events being dubbed the "inaugural concert series." The series kicks off Tuesday with the orchestra's concert. The choir will perform March 5, followed by the band's concert March 7. All events will begin at 7 p.m.

It's a good time to get out and support the arts and students who put so much time, passion and effort into their talents.