SKyPac Production of "Annie" Features Edmonson County Students, Including Lead Role

Four Local Actors To Appear In Musical

Local 5th grader Eleni Pierce will play the lead role in "Annie" at SKyPAC on December 6th.

Darren Doyle, story:
The showtime for the popular musical "Annie" is soon approaching in Bowling Green, presented by BGOnStage and featured at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC).

The show not only will feature some of the area's most talented students, but also four from Edmonson County, including the lead role of Annie, played by local 5th grader, Eleni Pierce (pronounced Eh-Laynee)

Eleni is the daughter of Chad and Jenny Pierce of Bowling Green and Jenny shared with us some of the story behind Eleni's journey to this leading role.

She said Eleni was actually humming and singing before she could even talk and that they knew Eleni had a unique gift.

"I'm not sure where all her talent came from, because I know she didn't get it from me," Jenny jokingly said. "She tried out for a role in "Charlotte's Web," which was also a BGOnStage Production when she was in the second grade. Then, a couple years ago, we went to see a production of "Annie" in Louisville and she fell in love with it."

That's when Eleni decided she wanted to play Annie herself, if the opportunity ever arose. She began learning songs and practicing parts for the musical with her vocal teacher, so when they heard the news that the production was coming to town, she was already prepared for the tryout.

With over 100 kids vying for parts from schools all over the region, getting the call that would offer Eleni the part was obviously very emotional.

"She started crying, she was so overwhelmed," Jenny said. "She couldn't believe it."

Eleni said all the parts are filled with very talented students that are putting on a quality production.

"It's going to be a really fun show filled with talented people," Eleni said.

An Edmonson County High School sophomore has earned the role of another major character in the same production.

Xavier Gravil, the son of Wymon and Shauna Gravil of Bee Spring, will be playing the role of Daddy Warbucks.  Wymon said Xavier has been involved in theater since he was in 5th or 6th grade.

"It's something he's been interested in for a while and of course, I'm going to brag on him, but he's done well in several different roles.

Those roles started in an elementary school play then moved onto the Xclaim! Theater, a nonprofit group in Bowling Green for youth, where he played Grandpa Joe in a production of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

He then joined the drama team at ECHS when he was a freshman, playing roles in "The Wizard of Oz," and numerous others, along with additional BGOnStage productions.

Xavier continues to seek other theatrical opportunities in the area as well.

"He's not interested in going to Hollywood or anything like that," Wymon said. "In fact, he's said he wants to be a doctor. We just know he's really enjoying this right now."

Xavier Gravil (L) alongside Willow Cassady in the production of "Honk, Jr."

Willow Cassady (8yrs old) will play a role in the upcoming SKyPAC production of "Annie."

Also in the production is Willow Cassady, the 8 year-old daughter of Craig and Erica Cassady. While the Cassadys reside in Bowling Green, they have strong Edmonson County ties with Willow being the granddaughter of Donald and JoAnn Cassady of Chalybeate, and Mark and Theresa Ashley of Bee Spring.

Willow is playing a role in the "Annie" ensemble and the understudy of another main character, which is a fill-in in the event the main character cannot fulfill their duties.

Willow's dad, Craig, credits his wife for her musical and acting talent, as Erica was the musical director at Greenwood High School, who heavily influenced Willow.

"She got started in school musicals and played a role in a Sponge Bob musical where she played Gary the Snail," Craig said. "She's just sort of hooked, I guess you could say."

This will be her second BGOnStage production, with the first being "Honk, Jr.," with whom she also appeared with Xavier Gravil.

"The tryout was really difficult and it was like a four or five hour day," Craig said. "It consisted of a cold read from the show, and then they let her do parts she had practiced from songs and a short choreography piece."

Willow currently takes voice lessons and attends regular theater camps and is preparing for dance lessons as well, her dad said.

"Growing up in school administration, I know the importance that sports have on kids' lives, but I think we sometimes overlook other activities where kids can thrive," Craig said. "Studies have shown that extra activities are better for kids and we need to push kids in some of these different directions."

Addelyn VanMeter, age 11, is playing a role in SKyPAC's "Annie."

Another actor in the production of "Annie" is Addelyn VanMeter, the 11 year-old daughter of Jamie and Jessica Wilson of Chalybeate. Addelyn is a 6th grade student at the Edmonson County 5/6 Center. While she is relatively new to these types of productions, those around her discuss her talent and her knack for performing.

"We saw she had a natural talent for acting and singing," said her mother, Jessica. "She had a lead role in an Edmonson County Arts Council production of "The Best Little Christmas Pageant Ever," and after that, we started looking for other opportunities."

She said Addelyn then earned roles in other BGOnStage productions like "The Rainbow Fish," two different roles in "Honk, Jr.," playing a role and in the ensemble, and now "Annie," where she plays the lead orphan, "Duffy."

Jessica said her tryout process was similar to others, with a 4-5 hour day, reading, choreography, and singing a one-minute cut of a song.

"She practices with BGOnStage three to four days per week, every week," Jessica said. "She just seems to have a knack for it. She plays sports, too, but she really shines at this."

She also added that Addelyn even has aspirations of someday moving to New York and becoming an actor on Broadway.

Kids throughout Edmonson County are now thriving in many different activities other than sports. Students in EC can now participate in agriculture, fishing, archery, academic, and skilled trades, on top of sports, arts, and music.

"Annie" will be presented on Friday, December 6th at the SKyPAC Theater in downtown Bowling Green with showtime starting at 6:30PM. Tickets are still available.

Click here to purchase tickets.

Editor's note: The first version of this article unintentionally omitted one of the local actors. We unknowingly did not have all of the available information at the time of publishing. We have since spoken with all four parents of the actors and have updated the article accordingly. We apologize for the omission.