Children’s Musical Theaterworks brings ‘Annie’ to the stage Friday

If you’re looking for some good old-fashioned fun, look no further than the Children’s Musical Theaterworks performance of Annie, happening this month in downtown Fresno.

Now is the perfect time to enjoy this classic musical and show support for CMT. For weeks, the group has been whirling with worries about being evicted from their venue. The Veterans Memorial Auditorium, where they perform, is desperately in need of repair. Because of this, the City of Fresno gave CMT to the end of the year to vacate the auditorium (you can catch up on all the drama, courtesy of local arts reviewer Donald Munro, here).

However, things are looking much more promising now. This week, both the City and CMT have reached an agreement that allows the show to go on—at least through 2018—with certain restrictions regarding stage equipment use. Of course, the solution is just temporary and there’s still a need to get the auditorium back into working order, but it’s a promising start.

The good news comes just in time for the Friday, Dec. 1, opening of Annie, CMT’s latest offering. Everyone’s favorite redhead will sing and dance her way through a hard-knock life and into the heart of a really rich guy. Hopefully CMT can do the same, so to speak.

Of course, they’re being more realistic about it by starting a fundraising campaign first, but there’s still singing! The theater company is kicking off its campaign (#saveCMT #savememorial) to raise money to repair the Veterans Memorial Auditorium and looking to the Valley community to help them.

The campaign is called “Don’t Let the Lights Go Out” and you can check it out here. Don’t forget to share the video with your friends and get the word out!

Other Ways to Support CMT

In order to keep the arts alive at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium, a community effort is necessary. What does this mean for you? To show your support for CMT, you can start by seeing a show!

Every year, I take my children to see other kids do amazing things in theater. The performances are always engaging and exciting. Annie will run from Dec. 1  through Dec. 10. You can find the entire list of performances and times here. If you need tickets, you can purchase them online for as little as $14 on the CMT website here.

Additionally, you can donate. CMT is the Valley’s only non-profit theater company, so not only is it a tax write-off, but you’ll be helping to save a local landmark and theater group. CMT Executive Producer Judy Stene says the community support was something that helped the theater company during the time of uncertainty about their locale, and she expects the community to be a big part in CMT’s future. She adds that if anyone has a couple million dollars they’d like to donate to the cause, “We’d even write a song for you!”

Of course, a big chunk of money doesn’t usually come all at once. So even if you’re not Daddy Warbucks and don’t have a million to spare, you can still help. For a couple of bucks, you could be part of floor repair, or something equally crucial. You can donate on the CMT website here. 

The shows that CMT put on are always so fun, so it’s definitely something to put on your holiday to-do list. Just be prepared to fall in love with the organization and root for its success in the process!