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Community Corner

Barrington Mom Lands Role in Area Play

Local mom lands role of Grace in area rendition of popular Broadway play "Annie".

As if raising two young boys, being actively involved in Hough Street School and local civic organizations are not enough, local Barrington mother Erica Ward decided to give acting a try this summer.

Erica and I run together when we can during the week - or at least I just try to keep up with her - and we talk about life and family and so on. I felt like I knew a lot about her life, but had no knowledge of her past theater experience. So of course, I was excited to learn that she had landed the leading role of the character Grace Farrell in the Broadway play "Annie", which is playing at a local summer theater in Elgin.

Growing up in California, Erica participated in musical theater. While flipping through the Courier earlier this Spring, she saw a call for adult tryouts for the play and went immediately to the website to register.

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"I just love this musical! I saw the original broadway cast perform when I was 8 and it rocked my world. I wore out the soundtrack and memorized all of the songs," she said. 

She said her husband was supportive, but a bit confused as to why she would want to do it. She has spent the summer practicing Monday thru Friday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.- a grueling schedule for any mom.Erica said the biggest challenge has been leaving her family at 6:15 every night and not getting home until 10:45.

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However, she said "I am so honored to have been chosen for the role of Grace. I won't make a career onstage, but if another one of my favorite musicals came along, I would consider it. It has been such a fabulous and different experience!" 

If you are interested in seeing a fellow Barrington mom and her castmates in "Annie" this upcoming weekend, July 22, 23 or 24, visit www.www.hemmens.org for ticket information. 

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