Brigid Fitzgerald

“Annie” proves the show must go on at TBTS

“We’ve all heard the story: the star falls ill, the under-rehearsed understudy steps in at the last minute and the show is a smash hit. The “42nd Street” plot has been recreated and retold in dozens of movies, stage shows and television series, but it’s always most impressive when it’s a true life tale. And that’s precisely what happened at Theatre By The Sea. The original star of Theatre By The Sea’s “Annie” fell ill during a preview the day before opening night, and her understudy, Brigid Fitzgerald, stepped in to play the role at intermission. The theatre made a call that night to Lauren Weintraub to temporarily fill in as the red-headed orphan, since Fitzgerald has ensemble roles and serves as the understudy for several other orphans. Weintraub, 14, had played the role at North Shore Music Theatre – also run by TBTS owner, Bill Hanney – last summer."

– Kim Kalunian, WPRO News