Musical theatre is back in Cody, Wyoming.

The Cody Community Theatre organization will perform the musical “Annie” Nov. 12-14 at the Wynona Thompson Auditorium.

“We want to do live theatre, we want to have an audience,” said the show’s director, Donna-Lynn Murray. Murray said she chose the musical because it’s upbeat — something she says everyone could use right now.

“It’s so feel-good, just a happy show,” Murray said. “And that’s what our community needs, I think.”

“Annie” tells the tale of an orphan finding a family. In the title role is Cody Middle School student Jillian Nordberg, who Murray said has been a dream to work with.

“I’ve been eyeballing her for a few years now as she was growing up,” Murray smiled. “She has taken on the weight of this entire production, at 13 years old, and is killing it! She’s so energetic, she’s prepared, she’s professional in everything she does — at 13.”

Jillian’s character, the orphan Annie, brings happiness and love to a billionaire curmudgeon, Oliver Warbucks, played by Dan Smith. 

“He’s working hard on being a grumpy old man, because he’s not,” laughed Murray, who last worked with Smith when they were lead characters in “Mamma Mia.” 

Playing the role of Warbucks’ long-suffering assistant is Kennedy Corr, whom audiences have seen in many productions — musical and otherwise — over the last 10 years, since she was a student at Cody High School.

“Kennedy is knocking it out of the park,” praised Murray. “She usually gets dramatic parts, so for her to play an uptight secretary is new for her.”

This production also brings some new faces to Cody theater-goers.

“Jessika Albrecht isn’t new to Cody, having grown up here, but she is new to us,” Murray said. She praised Albrecht’s portrayal of Miss Hannigan, the cranky head of the orphanage and Annie’s nemesis.

“She’s mean but lovable,” Murray said.

A supporting cast that’s a mix of new faces and old has allowed Murray to showcase community theatre regulars in different roles. Murray’s son, Jake, is indispensable both onstage and behind the scenes: playing Hannigan’s crooked brother Rooster while building all the sets. Jake’s wife, Drew, is the music director for the production and a fixture on Cody stages since her years in high school. Drew is also the new drama coach at CHS.

Aili Roberson is the other character actor wearing many hats in this production. She plays Lily St. Regis, as well as one of the Boylan Sisters and the assistant dog catcher. Roberson is a regular with CCT, having appeared in numerous productions over the past five years.

Other supporting cast members include Felicity Soto, Haileigh Moore, Sarah Grosz, Charlotte Ballard, Jaida Brice, Sara Murray, Sean Murray, Craig Pierce, Derrick Walton, Kieran Beebe, Melinda Soto, Jeff Sandvik, Tessa Hernandez, Emily Burrell, Deni Hirsh, Bethea Kalenak, Emily Jones, Kieran Beebe, Justin Weigand, Harmony Boyd, Kristen LaBazzo, Trisha Lightman, Sylie Black, Kori Black, Emmalee Beardall, Eagle Bateman and Corrine Burrell. Drew Murray and Taylor Mariani also have minor on-stage roles.

Any musical is only as good as its musicians, and Murray expressed her gratitude toward Noma Walton, the show’s rehearsal accompanist.

“We couldn’t do this without her!” Murray said of Walton. “She has been indispensable to the Cody Community Theatre organization for many, many years.”

Powell music teacher Michael Jaycox has taken on the job of pit orchestra conductor. He’s been involved with CCT since the dinner theatre production of “I’m Getting Murdered in the Morning.” 

“We are thrilled to have him conducting for this show,” Murray said.

Another Cody theatre regular trying on a new role is Taylor (Reeder) Mariani, who is the assistant director. 

“This is the first time she has done any behind-the-scenes work,” Murray pointed out. “She’s always been on the stage, but is thoroughly enjoying it and learning a lot.”

Murray herself has appeared both onstage and behind the scenes since her family moved to Cody in 2005. Her directing credits include “Little Shop of Horrors” in 2018, “Beauty and the Beast” in 2017 and Shrek in 2016; she was the music director for “Music Man” and appeared onstage as Donna in “Mamma Mia.”

This year’s production has proven to be more challenging than most, due to the pandemic. 

“The CCT board decided that a mask mandate was necessary for cast members during the rehearsal process, to keep us healthy,” Murray said. “We have had our issues with people coming down with COVID and other illnesses, where cast members have had to miss numerous rehearsals. This puts a strain on the other cast members.”

Murray said she is grateful that the people who have gotten sick have communicated with her, so they have been able to quarantine those who needed to be. 

“That’s why we started the mask mandate, so we didn’t have to quarantine the entire cast should one person test positive,” she said. “We are doing everything we possibly can to stay healthy and bring a show back to the community.”

Tickets for “Annie” can be purchased at www.showtix4u.com; and at The Thistle and the Nordberg Lindauer Gallery in Cody. Adult tickets are $25 with tickets for children (under 12) $15. All proceeds go to the Cody Community Theatre, a nonprofit organization, to fund future shows. 

Showtimes will be Friday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 13 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. Masks are requested for the health of the actors, but not required.