Back-to-school time? Not for this 'orphan'

For 10-year-old Marina Macherone, fifth grade is going to be "a hard-knock life."

Marina, a parishioner of St. Gabriel's Church in Rotterdam, is joining the cast of the traveling production of "Annie," singing and dancing on stage nearly every day from now until next May as strong-willed orphan Duffy. She will also understudy the role of Molly, the youngest orphan.

While traveling from city to city every few days, Marina will be taught by a tutor in the morning, rehearse in the afternoon, and perform on evenings and weekends.

"She has to keep up with her studies, just as she does at school," said Kerry Macherone, Marina's mother.

In the air

The Macherones found out about auditions for "Annie" though show notices they received after Marina won a state title in a baton competition.

She competed alongside more than 300 other girls who were brought into a room in groups of 40. Each had to sing Annie's key song, "Tomorrow," for the show's director and producers.

After immediate dance call-backs for the girls whose voices fit -- even though Marina had forgotten her dance shoes at home -- and a second audition the next day, she was cast as Duffy.

Marina, whose singing experience includes solos at St. Gabriel's, said of the experience: "I was so nervous!"

Away and home

Marina is excited about seeing the United States, especially Florida, Las Vegas and California. "I've never been to Florida," she enthused.

Mrs. Macherone will accompany her daughter on the road for most of the tour. Holding down the fort at home will be Marina's dad, Donald, and her grandparents, who will help keep the house in order and her two sisters with their own busy schedules.

Homesickness will be mitigated by a computer-webcam combo Marina and her mom will use to communicate with the family and her classmates at Pinewood Elementary School in Rotterdam.

'Tornado'

Marina and her mom look forward to going to Mass in different cities on Sunday mornings. "Touring, on the road -- we don't really know what it'll be like. It's something we have to learn," said Mrs. Macherone.

She did, however, have early advice to her outspoken daughter in getting along with the seven other "orphans": Don't come on too strong.

"But I talk a lot!" protested Marina.

"She's a tornado," her mom chuckled.

On the go

Marina takes gymnastics, tap, baton, ballet and musical theater classes four days a week at Merritt Dance Center in Schenectady.

With her sisters, Alaina, 16, and Haley, 13, she competes regularly with the Coors Light U.S. Waterskiing Show Team at Freedom Park in Scotia.

Her dance training comes in handy while waterskiing, she said, by helping her keep her balance during the complicated lifts, turns and holds she has to learn. And ballet moves "help with anything," she said.

When Marina gets back from "Annie" in May, she'll celebrate her 11th birthday -- and wants to get involved with school plays and keep on dancing.

Someday, she hopes, "I'll be in another show."

(Marina's favorite musical is "Phantom of the Opera," she admires "High School Musical" star Ashley Tisdale, and her favorite song in "Annie" is nasty Miss Hannigan's villainous solo, "Little Girls.")

(8/23/07)