The Iberia Performing Arts League’s annual summer children’s musical promises to bring lots of smiles when the production debuts Thursday. 

More than 30 boys and girls ages 6 to 19 are involved in IPAL’s production of “Annie,” directed by Katelyn Gulotta. The production is Gulotta’s directorial debut, but the volunteer is also an IPAL veteran who has acted in and helped produce numerous shows for New Iberia’s nonprofit organization. 

“It’s honestly been really incredible,” Gulotta said about rehearsals. “I have a love of teaching, I’ve taught vacation Bible school, and any time I’m with kids I love it. I had an incredible team and the kids have been incredible, very disciplined and always up ready to work.”

The production also comes at an important personal time in the director’s life, as Gulotta is nine months pregnant, with an expected due date of today. 

“That’s been an added layer of excitement,” Gulotta said with a laugh. “Everyone’s been prepped for the last two weeks, and literally any second I could not be here.”

But along with assistant director Hollie Guidry and state manager Kaleigh Lay, the production staff has taken every precaution and all are prepared for any arrival. 

Gulotta also said this particular production holds a special place in her heart, since “Annie” was her first musical production that introduced her into theater. 

According to an IPAL statement, “Annie” is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin and book by Thomas Meehan. 

The original Broadway production opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years, setting a record for the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre). It spawned numerous productions in many countries, as well as national tours, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The musical’s songs “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life” are among its most popular musical numbers.

The musical was a natural choice for Gulotta’s directorial debut. 

“It’s such a classic story,” she said. “Everyone loves it, and I have a history with it. I just knew it had to be the first one I direct.”

Playing the titular character is 13-year-old Jaci Suarez, who Gulotta said has been wonderful in her role as lead and embodies all of the charming quirks of the character. 

Suarez has quite an IPAL career herself, having performed in “Les Miserables,” “A Christmas Story” and “My Son Pinnochio” over the past few years. Although this is her first leading role, Suarez said she’s not worried. 

“Everybody’s been getting along really well,” Suarez said. 

“I’m a little nervous, but I think I’m going to be fine because we’ve been working really hard.” 

“There hasn’t been a moment where she’s made me worried in any capacity,” Gulotta said about Suarez.

“She’s always on her notes, she’s an incredible dancer and singer and really embodies the spirit of the character.”

 The show opens Thursday and will run for two consecutive weekends, closing on July 22 at the Essanee Theater. Curtain time is 7:30 o,n, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and 3 p.m. Sunday afternoons.