A millionaire, a feisty little redhead and some determined crooks scramble onto the stage at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium tonight as Broadway's hit musical Annie comes to Athens.
Annie, which originally opened in 1977, was revived in 1997. Since then, the musical has toured around the country three times, with the current tour debuting in 2005. Zander Meisner, 24, from Chicago, who plays the villain Rooster, spoke with Post reporter Jane Adams about acting, touring show and seeking his parents' approval.
The Post: Why did you decide to pursue musical theater?
Zander Meisner: I started with music. I took piano lessons and then I took up clarinet, and realized I really enjoyed the performance aspect of it.
Eventually I ended up in theater my freshman year of high school. I just kind of got hooked there, and realized that it was something I wanted to stick with.
Post: Did people try to talk you out of studying theater?
Meisner: Absolutely. At first my parents were like, 'Really? You think you are going to do this as a profession?' It was tough with my parents because they want what's best and they want you to have a roof over your head and fed stomachs and all that.
Post: What is it like touring all the time?
Meisner: It's fun and there are points when it's rough, because there are times when you have one night in one city and then you have to wake up the next day and go to another city. But then there are some really nice weeks, when we spend a week in Anchorage or Los Angeles ...
Post: How did you feel when you found out you were cast as Rooster?
Meisner: I was very excited. It's certainly nothing like any character I have ever played before, and I have always wanted to play it.
Post: What is your dream role?
Meisner: Probably Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys the musical. He is a little bit older than I but I am definitely aspiring to play that guy, because he plays the guitar, which I do, and he is kind of an eccentric, badass guy.
Post: How do you parents feel about your acting now?
Meisner: They feel better, I actually saw some of my family last night. I did a show in Illinois, and they were very happy, supportive and proud and that was very nice to see.
3 Culture
Jane Adams
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Zander Meisner plays the role of Rooster in Annie, which will be performed at 7:30 tonight in Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. PROVIDED PHOTO
