You’re never fully dressed without a smile” is being sung at the Maley home in West Windsor over and over again. Dana Jill Maley and her two daughters, Miranda and Madison, are in the upcoming production of “Annie” at Kelsey Theater. The show opens Friday, April 23 with a reception with the cast and crew after the performance.
Set in the Great Depression, “Annie” is an upbeat musical based on the comic strip of the same name. It is the hopeful tale of a spunky, red-haired girl determined to find her parents after she is abandoned at a New York City orphanage, where she must do battle with the cruel warden, Miss Hannigan. Annie is befriended by President Franklin Roosevelt and finds a loving new family with the wealthy Oliver Warbucks; his personal secretary, Grace Farrell; and a mutt named Sandy.
Dana Jill Maley, who was born and raised in California, performed in musical theater in high school and college. She graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in English and education because her parents advised her that “maybe you should get a degree in something you can use.” Although she was no longer singing and dancing she says “I used my love of performing in the classroom.” Playing several roles in the production of “Annie,” her main one is that of one of the Boylan Sisters.
She met and married her husband, Matt, in California and started a family. When Matt was transferred from California to the East Coast seven years ago, the family settled in West Windsor. He works in New York City for Oppenheimer Funds. “He is not into theater but he has a sense of humor,” she says. “He has been saying that now he has three drama people in the house.”
Jill has recently become a substitute teacher. “I feel fortunate to stay home with the girls but I had an itch to get back into the classroom,” she says. It still gives her the opportunity to take the girls into New York City for auditions and to continue to do triathlons as a family.
Madison, 11, is a fifth grade student at Millstone River School. She plays one of the chorus orphans. Miranda, 8, is a third grade student at Maurice Hawk School. She portrays Kate, the youngest orphan.
“The girls have shown an interest in theater and have performed in school and summer programs,” says their mother. They both studied at Westminster Conservatory last summer in “Broadway Babies” and “Sing Your Heart Out” programs, and are both in their school chorus. Madison played the role of Helena in the youth version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” when she was in fourth grade. “She loved the feeling of being on stage,” says Dana Jill.
Both daughters have been on radio and television including voice-overs, jingles, and commercials, and in print advertising. “Their hope is to be on the big screen,” says their mother. They have seen the DVD of “Annie” at least two dozen times.
“When I saw the audition notice it happened to be good timing, a great venue, and a perfect show,” said Dana Jill. “The girls told me that we’ll do it if you audition too.” Luckily they were all cast. “This is their first experience with community theater and it is very exciting.”
— Lynn Miller
Annie, Kelsey Theater, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road. Friday, April 23, to Sunday, May 2. Classic family musical by the Yardley Players. The production also features Kavya Pochiraju of West Windsor as an orphan. $16. 609-570-3333. www.kelseytheatre.net.
