The Lumen Christi drama department always puts on a stellar performance, and this year’s rendition of the hit musical Annie was no exception. Starring junior Cecilia Saucedo as the titular Annie, with notable supporting performances by senior Peter Soltis as Oliver Warbucks and junior Peyton Best as Miss Agatha Hannigan, the production was incredibly acted and beautifully sung. While the entire musical was a success, the highlight and guiding force was undoubtedly Cecilia Saucedo’s heartfelt rendition of the iconic Annie.
To start off the production, Saucedo performed the emotionally rich song “Maybe” alongside other orphan characters, before the show dived right into the iconic “It’s a Hard Knock Life” with an incredible (and large) ensemble cast of orphans. The most memorable moment of the show, however, came right after this in the form of Saucedo’s solo performance of “Tomorrow.” It was arguably the best-performed piece in the entire musical, and her moving singing captivated the audience instantly.
When asked about how she prepared to play the role of Annie, Saucedo said that she “dyed [her] hair red” and “worked with Mrs. Fleming to find the voice of Annie and not use [her] voice.” This ensured that she could fully embody her character on stage, rather than simply play herself. Ms. Eileen Lienhart knew from the start that Saucedo would excel, describing her as a “natural choice” and saying that, “She exhibited many of [Annie’s] characteristics in her audition”. The effort she put into her character was evident on stage, and it went a long way in creating an engaging performance that gave the audience a true escape. She was honored to play the role, noting that it “was the biggest honor [she] could have gotten” after years of theatrical involvement.
The production was very well received, and drew in large audiences for all four of its performances. Many students totally uninvolved in the arts came together to support their classmates, cheering loudly at the conclusion of the show. Overall, it was an astounding success, and everybody involved fulfilled their role exceptionally well. Certainly, the 2026 rendition of Annie is a great addition to the long tradition of excellence in the Lumen Christi theater program.
