To step into their roles in an upcoming performance of &uot;Annie,&uot; several Nansemond River students had to go far outside themselves.

Aree Radcliffe got a little bit older and a large bit heavier as Miss Hannigan, the orphanage owner from which Annie escapes to live with Oliver Warbucks. Josh Tarwater had to adopt a New Jersey accent to play Rooster (or, in his new voice, &uot;Roo-stah!&uot;), the brother of Miss Hannigan, who schemes with her and his armpiece Lily St. Regis (named after the hotel, don’t you know) to kidnap Annie and collect thousands. As Lily herself, Heather Santee puts on a blonde wig and a Madame dress.

But of everyone, Ashley Fulton probably had the farthest journey to make. She’s Sandy – Annie’s dog.

&uot;There was a cast list (of who we wanted to play), and a friend thought it was funny to put my name on it,&uot; said Fulton, who prances around in a mop-covered costume. &uot;I didn’t even audition. I just run around and bark and eat. It’s slightly embarrassing, but I get a kick out of it.&uot;

The story of the little orphan that could will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 9:30 a.m. on Friday.

Though her last two roles have been title characters with the same name, that’s about all that Kim Boone’s performances have in common.

&uot;It’s fun, but it’s also stressful,&uot; said Boone, who played Anne Frank in the school’s Virginia High School League Theater Competition piece in January. &uot;It feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders.&uot;

It’s also the first time she’s had to sing-and with solo lines in &uot;Tomorrow, Tomorrow,&uot; &uot;I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here,&uot;

and other songs, Boone might experience quite the &uot;Hard Knock Life.&uot;

&uot;I’m scared, but I think it’s going to be fun,&uot; she said.

After playing the snooty-but-warm-hearted Rizzo last year in &uot;Grease,&uot; Radcliffe goes full-blown evil as Hannigan.

&uot;She’s a different type of mean,&uot; Radcliffe said. &uot;She’s an old lady, and I’ve never played an older character. She’s hard to get into, because she’s always in her character–everything she says is evil.&uot;

She’s not alone – Rooster’s just getting out of Sing Sing, only to launch himself right back into criminal life.

&uot;He’s evil and conniving,&uot; Tarwater said, &uot;but he’s not stupid. (As Anne Frank’s father, Otto,) I got to hold everything together; this time, I get to tear everything apart.&uot;

&uot;She’s just a dumb blonde, and I like those roles,&uot; said Santee, who also helped choreograph the play. &uot;I think it expresses my talent to be so opposite of who I really am. I’m the caregiver of my friends, so playing these roles allows me to go crazy.&uot;

Warbucks doesn’t do that, but Annie does help him find a heart in his money-induced egotism.

&uot;I try to make him my own,&uot; said Marquis Mapp. &uot;It’s almost refreshing. It’s sentimental and sweet to see him change throughout the play.&uot;

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com