Star siblings shine on stage for Annie Jr
The classic tale of “Annie Jr.” is more than just a musical for 20 Townsville families — it’s a showcase of young talent and a celebration of siblings sharing the spotlight.
Townsville
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Classic orphan tale Annie Jr is uniting local families with several siblings joining each other on stage – who are also proving to be Townsville’s musical theatre stars of the future.
A total of 20 families will be in the limelight for the six junior shows featuring 150 kids, being directed by Libretto School of the Arts founder Alyssa Oliveri-Kelly, over two weekends during August.
Featured are four talented families who have returned for the third time in Libretto’s annual musical theatre production – after also appearing in Aladdin Jr in 2022 and Frozen Jr in 2023 with the youth arts theatre company that also runs a private junior performing arts school.
THE BOLDERY SISTERS
Performing on stage in Annie Jr with your very own pooch is a dream come true for the Boldery sisters.
Nine-year-old Zara, who will play the iconic role of Annie, and eight-year-old Eva, who will play littlest orphan Molly, will be joined by their four-year-old Maltese Shih Tzu George in his stage debut as Annie’s stray dog Sandy.
“He’s a really good boy because he will do pretty much anything for treats and pats,” Zara said.
“He is not scared of being on stage because he has been a dog model in grooming competitions – so he’s used to remaining calm and looking cute.”
George has represented Townsville’s Trustyle Studio dog groomers – most recently placing in the Top Pup Cup in Cairns.
While George’s sisters also have plenty of stage experience too, as it will be Zara and Eva’s third time in a musical for Libretto.
They were in the ensemble in Aladdin Jr in 2022, while Zara was Young Anna in Frozen Jnr last year and both girls were specialist dancers.
“To think that three years ago they played glittering rocks in Aladdin’s Cave of Wonders and now they are both lead roles in Annie – that’s such tremendous trajectory for them both,” mother Roanne Boldery said.
Both girls, from North Ward, have been doing weekly lessons with Libretto since they were five after developing a love of music at home with father Jason Boldery who plays classical piano.
“From when they could talk they started singalongs with their Dad and then every type of dance followed from jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary and acro at The Dance Collective – while Libretto bought it all together beautifully in musicals,” Roanne said.
“They’ve also been given amazing opportunities to perform at community events with Libretto and at Eisteddfod competitions across North Queensland – plus the confidence to shine in school plays and performances.”
Zara just appeared in Townsville Grammar’s junior school production Alice’s Magical Adventure where she played the Mad Hatter and also starred in the dancing and singing ensembles.
THE dE HOOG SIBLINGS
All four of the very talented de Hoog children, aged 11 to 17, are leads in Annie Jr.
Eleven-year-old Annabelle has the title role of Annie and 15-year-old Adelaide will play Warbuck’s love interest Grace, while both 13-year-old Jonas and 17-year-old Isaiah will share the role of scheming criminal Rooster.
The quartet from North Ward have a strong history of singing, acting and dancing, making them true triple threats of the future in local theatre.
Isaiah was a specialist dancer in Chess in 2023, The Addams Family in 2024 and this year will play the Fox in Cinderella – all for North Queensland Opera & Music Theatre.
Jonas played Young Cosmos in Townsville Choral Society’s Singing in the Rain production in 2023 and a specialist dancer in The Cathedral School production of Legally Blonde this year with sister Adelaide.
“For my children, being part of Libretto’s productions has given them the self-confidence and stage skills to audition for school and community productions,” mother Evelina de Hoog said.
“Just three years ago they had only ever been on stage with their dance school Ann Roberts, but they wanted more chances to perform and that’s when we found these musical theatre opportunities with Alyssa.”
All four have appeared in the Libretto productions – in 2022 for Aladdin Jr Isiah was Aladdin and Jonas was Babkak, while Adelaide and Annabelle were specialist dancers and in 2023 for Frozen Jr Isaiah was Hans, Adelaide was Young Elsa, Jonas was Olaf and Annabelle was Young Anna.
“To think they were new to singing and acting just a few short years ago and now they have an incredible opportunity to have musical theatre as a part of their life – either as a lifelong hobby or something to pursue professionally – it is very exciting,” Evelina said. “Being part of this community has grown them in so many areas of life, they’re not afraid to get up in front of people ever which is an incredible feat for children and teenagers their age.”
THE OLIVERI-KELLY FAMILY
For Harriet and Ethan Kelly performing is part of their genetics, as the children of Annie Jr Director Alyssa Oliveri-Kelly.
10-year-old Harriet will play sassy tween orphan Pepper and 12-year-old Ethan will play a cameo as President Franklin Roosevelt.
“Since they were born, music and performing has been the lifeblood of our household – they’ve had an immersive study because I live and breathe it,” mum Alyssa said.
“Especially in the three months every year that I host a junior performance – the kids know from June to August I don’t have two children, I actually have 152 children.”
This won’t be the first year the Kelly kids from Annandale are on stage, in 2023 for Frozen Jr Harriet was Young Elsa and Ethan was the Duke of Wessleton and in 2022 for Aladdin Jr Harriet was in the ensemble and Ethan was a guard.
Alyssa, who started Libretto School of the Arts just three years ago, is originally from Innisfail where she was in musical theatre with her siblings from age 10.
“That love of performing in childhood led to me studying a Bachelor of Theatre with Honours at James Cook University with a major in classical singing and then I started teaching vocal technique at JCU and schools around Townsville,” she said.
“I went on to start private performing arts school Libretto because I wanted to create a thriving theatre community where young children are encouraged to perform and build self confidence – as there was a real need for this locally.”
Alyssa was a pioneer in youth musical theatre in Townsville creating the first of its kind company for young performers to shine on stage guided by qualified teachers.
“Libretto is now in its third year offering an annual musical performance – plus regular weekly classes for students in a private performing arts school that focuses on speech and drama, singing and stage movement,” she said.
“I’m thrilled to invest my time and energy in advancing the arts in Townsville through these little people, who are proving to be the future of musical theatre.”
THE USHER SIBLINGS
There almost won’t be a moment on stage at Annie Jr without one of the Usher siblings on stage, aged 4 to 12.
The performing family-of-four, from Douglas, includes 12-year-old Charlton who plays the role of Warbuck’s butler Drake, nine-year-old Spencer who is a dog catcher, and both seven-year-old Aston and five-year-old Ayda who play the role of orphans.
“We all really enjoy performing – I recently was in Townsville Grammar’s middle school production Mythical Mosaics: Tales from Ancient Greece as Hades and my brother Spencer was in the junior school production Alice’s Magical Adventure as a singing ensemble soloist,” Charlton said.
“It’s become a bit of a family thing and it’s really nice that we can do it all together as a shared interest every year, between all of the rugby, swimming and athletics we participate in.”
However, this will be the first year that all four Usher siblings are in a production together for Libretto.
Charlton was a guard in Aladdin Jr in 2022, while Spencer was in the ensemble.
They both returned in 2023 for Frozen Jr where Charlton played a steward and Spencer was again in the ensemble, while Aston joined them as Baby Kristoff.
This year little sister Ayda will finally be with her siblings in the spotlight for her debut in Annie Jr.
“Every year we’ve added another one of our children to the cast and it’s just wonderful watching them grow as little performers with each production,” mother Harley Usher said.
“You can see the skills they gain and the new friends they make. They love being part of the annual musicals and it’s something we all look forward to as a family to gather all the relatives to come along to watch them on stage – it’s very special.”
Annie Jr will be performing on Saturday, August 10 and Saturday, August 17, at 12.30-2pm, 3.30-5pm and 6.30-8pm at Calvary Christian Church, Performing Arts Space. To book tickets ($37 for adults, $27 for concession, $20 for students and $15 for children under five) go to Trybooking.com.
Originally published as Star siblings shine on stage for Annie Jr
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