ANNIE

1997

A story on the Peterson family featured in the News Mail  in 1997

- Ken, Sharlene, Ryan (14) Deane (12). The article included their strong involvement with Youth Theatre which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2020.

Here's an abridged excerpt..

" After Alice In Wonderland, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, the musical ANNIE was Ken 's 3rd year as Musical Director and Sharlene as wardrobe and make- coordinator.

Deane made her debut as Alice (Ryan as Caterpillar); both came to sticky ends in the Chocolate Factory and had roles in Bugsy Malone.

Deane played Brigitte Von Trapp in Sound of Music 1996 with Ken as nasty Herr Zeller and Sharlene spending three months sewing costumes for the Von Trapp children.

"Our family is doing something together," said Sharlene. "Besides other individual commitments theatre allows a regular weekly activity that all four share."

Ken 's initial involvement with the performing arts began a long way back when he sang on Brisbane's Channel Niners Tv show with popular host Jim Iliffe.

His speciality was Jake The Peg (with his extra leg) which he performed in the Royal Command Performance for Duchess Of Kent when she visited Bundaberg.

Brilliant dancer Deane now regularly adds her superb talents to the chorus of our musicals with the most recent Mary Poppins.

2019, Ken reprised his 1994 role of Thenardier in Les Mis , and will appear next in Mamma Mia (2020).

Colin Thrupp, Jenna Atherton, Michael Callaway & Christine Ragni with Musical Director, Ken Petersen

Back Row:  Michael Callaway & Christine Ragni     

Front Row:  Colin Thrupp & Jenna Atherton

Sharlene, Deanne, Ryan & Ken Petersen