Curtain's Up Theater Company Brings "Annie" to the Stage in Roxana This Summer

ROXANA - Community members can enjoy a local production of “Annie” later this month.

Curtain’s Up Theater Company will perform “Annie” July 24–26 and July 31–Aug. 2, 2026, at The Roxana Community Theater. Directed by Christy Luster, the production promises to be a fun piece of community theater that brings people together and shares a larger message of hope and family with audiences.

“It’s just the best feeling in the world,” Luster said. “We hope people come out and support us. We think we put on some real quality productions that are reasonably priced, and you can take your whole family to come enjoy a night of theater without having to go all the way over to the Fox or the Muny. There’s quality productions being put on in your community. We hope they come out and see the fabulous show that we have for them.”

Curtain’s Up Theater Company was established in 2003. The cast rehearses in Collinsville and has premiered many shows in Roxana over the past few years.

Luster is proud to welcome cast and crew members from across the Greater St. Louis community. She noted that community theater is special and allows people to connect with their neighbors.

“The actors and the crew members and everybody that comes together to put on these productions, we’re not professionals. We are local people that you see in your grocery store, that you work with, your next-door neighbors,” Luster said. “These are people from your community bringing the arts to your community, and I think that’s one of the really great things about community theater. It’s your local neighbors and friends supporting each other, supporting the arts, and giving kids an outlet to pursue their creative interests.”

One kid, Collinsville’s Isla Stelmach, is especially excited to be a part of the production. Stelmach, 10, plays Annie.

She shared that she has been performing with Ignite Theater Company in St. Louis since she was 4 years old, but this is her first production with Curtain’s Up. Her favorite part of rehearsal is playing with Luster’s dog, Finn, who will be featured as Sandy in the show.

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“Annie is my dream role,” Stelmach said. “I hope the audience loves watching ‘Annie’ come to life on stage. I hope they love ‘Annie’ as much as I have loved learning to play the role, and I hope they remember our dedication to performing this classic musical for all to enjoy.”

Curtain’s Up typically chooses one show a year that features multiple young performers. Lacey Shaeffer, who plays Miss Hannigan, noted that she has loved watching “our orphans” perform and “bring these characters to life.”

“While Miss Hannigan may not be a fan, I certainly am,” she joked. “The best part about community theater is creating a family of sorts. You really get to know people and connect with them to bring something really beautiful together for the entire community to enjoy.”

All of the actors agree that there is a family feel, including Melanie Kozak, who plays Lily St. Regis, and Alan Aguilar, who plays Rooster Hannigan. Kozak noted that she has enjoyed “getting to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones this summer,” while Aguilar pointed out that the “Annie” story is “a timeless show about love and found family.”

“Local community theater brings a sense of family and accomplishment,” added Debbie Maneke, who plays Grace Farrell. “At CUTC, you never just perform. You paint sets; you clean dressing rooms; you sell tickets; you build costumes; you order pizza. It’s a real, ‘My dad’s got a barn; let’s put on a show’ feel.”

Like many of the actors, this isn’t Steve Shininger’s first time on the Curtain’s Up stage. This time around, he plays Oliver Warbucks and is proud of the show’s underlying messages about coming together and supporting one another. Luster and Shininger agree that Curtain’s Up Theater Company offers great opportunities for people to connect.

“I love meeting new people who share the same theater passion,” he said. “I hope the audience will come enjoy a couple hours of great entertainment and suspend their daily grind to take in a classic show. And I think, through our production, they will see and hear what ‘theater family’ is all about. Maybe they will want to join us.”

For more information about the upcoming production of “Annie,” premiering in Roxana July 24–26 and July 31–Aug. 2, click here. To learn more about Curtain’s Up Theater Company, including how to get involved, visit their official website.

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