By Paulina Leskow, ’24

Staff Writer

After almost three years, and a global pandemic, Hanover Middle School’s theater program is back in the spotlight. The school’s production of Annie Jr., which tells the story of an orphan girl living in a rich man’s mansion with a desire to meet her real parents, took the Hanover High School stage March 23-25. Based on a 1924 comic strip, the musical was created for Broadway in 1977; the “junior” version is adapted for length, younger voices and bigger casts.

HMS students held both acting and technical roles in order to assure a smooth running production with fantastic music and acting performances. The show was directed by music teacher Dustin Lindsay with the help of HHS teacher Mr. Fahey and many others, including students from the HHS Drama Club.

Sophomore Marie Fortier, the assistant stage manager for the show, said the high school students tried to help their younger counterparts “feel more comfortable in a space they haven’t been in as often.”

“I was able to help the show go from scene to scene,” she added, “whether it was moving set pieces, helping with props, or answering the questions of the middle schoolers.”

Junior Baylor Speckmann, the show’s prop master, said, “I thought it was a great experience to be able to work with the middle schoolers and serve as a role model.” 

It is so great to see theater coming back to Hanover schools; the high school performed 13: The Musical in November and the Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon for the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild festival last month. Be sure to check out the summer musical of Nemo Junior, scheduled for August 11-12.