PENN TWP — The sun will come out tomorrow, and Sing Hosanna! will perform the classic Broadway show "Annie" this weekend. The show will be performed three times at Penn Christian Academy.

Based on the book by Thomas Meehan with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, the story centers around an orphan and her dog who are placed in the lap of luxury.

Intended as temporary a publicity campaign for Oliver Warbucks, Annie's stay turns out to be much longer as she works her way into everyone's hearts and learns a few things for herself.

"Annie is a great show for the family and it utilizes many kids," said director Ralph Christy Jr. about the group's decision to do the show only four years after its last production.

"We have added some boy roles to the show as we had male actors that wanted to be involved," he said. The 70-member cast includes 50 children.

The red-headed spitfire Annie will be played by Julie McGuire, a seventh grade student at Slippery Rock Middle School. "I was blonde last night; now I am red," she said of her newly dyed locks during a recent rehearsal.

McGuire has taken the stage several times with Sing Hosanna! and most recently was the mayor of Munchkin City in the Wizard of Oz.

"I was also Molly when we did Annie several years ago," she said. "When I tried out this year, I was trying for the role of Annie. I really wanted it. I enjoy acting, singing and dancing, so this was the perfect fit for me."

Challenges in playing Annie include remembering not to deliver her lines too quickly. "Girls tend to talk fast and I really have to make a conscious effort to slow down and project," McGuire said.

While she loves all the songs she gets to sing, Maguire said "Tomorrow" is her favorite.

The hairless Warbucks will be played by the clean-shaven Scott Shearer of Cabot. "I enjoy the power that Warbucks has. It would be neat to have that kind of clout in real life," said Shearer.

"This production is much more challenging vocally with four songs to sing in each show," he added.

Shearer enjoys the opportunity to share the stage with his daughters Tara, a junior at Knoch High School and Ruby who is 9. "I coached my boys in their sports and now it is time to do something with the girls," said the father of six children ranging from 2 to 16 years old.

Taking the stage as Grace Farrell will be Rachel Creaturo of Butler.

"My daughter attended one of Sing Hosanna!'s camps this summer and was excited about the possibility of being involved in one of their productions," Creaturo explained. "When I brought her to audition I decided to try it as well," she added.

"It is a really great thing to work with her as she was cast in the chorus," said Creaturo.

"Grace has a reserved excitement that is fun to portray," said Creaturo of her character. "We are both positive people, but I do think I am a bit bolder than she is."

This year the production will be at the Penn Christian Academy, where the spring Easter production was held. "We enjoy working with the school, they are simply wonderful to partner with," said Christy.

"We are building an apron to make the stage larger and we have additional lighting that will enhance the experience," he added, noting that the parking is convenient.

During the performances, a piece of furniture painted with an Annie Theme will be auctioned off.

Tickets for the Sing Hosanna! production are on sale for $10 at Mays Music Shoppe on East Jefferson Street and by phone at 724-287-8362. There is no reserved seating for the production.

<B>WHAT:</B> Sing Hosanna! performances of "Annie"<B>WHEN:</B> 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday<B>WHERE:</B> Penn Christian Academy, 199 W. Airport Road, Penn Township<B>TICKETS: </B>$10 at May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St., or by phone at 724-287-8362