Annie Makes A Huge Splash in Grand Terrace

The entire community of Colton, Grand Terrace, and all neighboring cities were treated to a special production of Annie. Director Geri Marquez, a teacher at Terrace View Elementary School, has accumulated a shining reputation with extravagant and classical plays she has created in the past years in Grand Terrace, which gathers a large audience filled with interested members among a variety of communities. The show was put on at Colton High School’s Whitmore Auditorium, runnig for three days starting on Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. through Saturday night and a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Saturday, as well. The night kicked off as the auditorium at Colton High School filled up with eager community members to see Marquez’s newest production: Annie. Director Marquez shared, "Working with this cast and crew has been a true pleasure and they have left me with nothing but happy memories." Community member Maria Notarangelo doesn’t only write an eye-catching yet truthful preview article for Marquez regarding her productions every year, but she also had a special connection to the play this year, as well. Her daughter Luisa is currently a 10th grader at Grand Terrace High School and joined the Annie cast. “She played a person living in Hooverville. The older kids had more of the background roles like people in New York City and servants in Daddy Warbucks's mansion,” Notarangelo explained. Just like every year, Notarangelo shared what a spectacular performance Marquez’s play was. “The first scenes with the orphans were just excellent. It was such a big cast with musical members. It just gets better as it goes,” Notarangelo added. The cast of Annie is well over 100 performers and ranges all ages. “So many kids on stage at the same time…it was almost overwhelming, but in a good way,” Notarangelo said. “It was just great choreography and the singing was beautiful...You expect nothing but the best based on her past musicals, it exceeded expectations,” Notarangelo said Marquez's productions every year never seem to fail her audience. She added,"I am very proud of everyone's hard work and I am very proud of our show."