Even though I'm not an alumna of NDA, I'm thrilled to share with all of you a delightful recap of the recent performance of "Annie: The Musical" by the incredibly talented students at NDA. Having attended numerous high school musicals over the years, I can confidently say that this was one of the finest productions I've ever witnessed!

Drawing from my own experiences participating in musicals during my youth, I truly appreciate the dedication, time, and attention to detail required to craft such a stellar production. Every role, whether behind the scenes or center stage, plays a crucial part in the success of a great performance, and these students executed it flawlessly!

The talent displayed on stage, the intricately designed set, and the presence of an actual live pup all combined to leave us utterly amazed. While the lead roles undeniably stole the show, every character was embraced with love, making the entire production a joy to watch as these vibrant personalities came to life.

What's even more impressive is the fact that 30 out of the 40 cast members were making their debut in a musical. Not only did they conquer their stage fears, but they did so in front of a packed audience for every single show. It's heartening to witness the courage and enthusiasm these young performers brought to the stage.

Discovering that a childhood favorite was performed by a group of talented newcomers added an extra layer of magic to the evening for me. As a little girl, I always dreamt of being Annie, and for one enchanting night, the memories came flooding back. Kudos to everyone involved in the production – we would gladly attend repeat performances if given the chance. Although the curtains have closed, fear not, friends; as the saying goes, "the sun will come out tomorrow."