Nostalgia plays a central role in Lewiston Civic Theatre’s production of “Annie the Musical,” which opens tonight at 7 p.m. on the Normal Hill campus in the old Lewiston High School auditorium, 1114 Ninth Ave.

“I think what’s so great about ‘Annie’ is that people forget how nostalgic it is…how much of a slice of American pop culture it is,” said director Andy Meyers during a recent telephone interview.

The story of a plucky orphan from depression to riches isn’t just for children, Meyers said. Spectators of all ages sang along as the cast performed at the recent Winter Spirit lighting ceremony at Lewiston’s Locomotive Park.

Each audience member brings a different perspective: perhaps they are fans of one of the film adaptations of the musical; maybe they saw the production. In Meyers’ case, his memories come from a national Broadway tour lasting about a year.

“I think this production is going to be special, because I learned it from (lyricist and director Martin Charnin), so I hope I was able to give our actors a glimpse into the creator’s brain,” Meyers said. “I feel lucky. …Martin passed away a few years ago (so that) it’s cool to do a small role to carry on the legacy.

Meyers, who splits his time between New York and Fort Peck, Mont., where he is artistic director of the Fort Peck Summer Playhouse, grew up in Missoula. It was there that he met Nancy McIntosh, general director of the Lewiston Civic Theater and former Missoula resident, who invited him to direct “Annie.” (He was also a classmate of Nate Schweber, the author of Everybody Reads featured in the November 7 issue of Inland 360).

Meyers wasn’t the only one to comment on the memories the show evoked.

“I think ‘Annie’ is a really special story because a lot of people grew up with it,” Monica Evans, who plays Lily St. Regis, said before a recent rehearsal.

Evans, whose memories of “Annie” include a 1990s movie version and seeing the show on stage, praised the children playing Annie and the other orphans – dual roles for this show – not only for understanding their lines remarkably quickly, but also for bringing authenticity. emotion in their scenes.

“The themes of optimism and being a shining light in difficult times (resonate today),” she said. “Hearing this through children is particularly poignant. »

Adding to the period feel is the production’s black-and-white set – designed by recent University of Montana MFA graduate Jay Michael Roberts, built by Mike Chastain and painted by Kymee Martinak – evokes newspaper comic strips from the 1930s and brings out the colorful costumes. , Meyers said.

Ryan Kendall, who plays Daddy Warbucks, is performing in his first show at the Lewiston Civic Theater, although he is not new to community theater, having performed in a few shows at the Regional Theater of the Palouse in Pullman.

He enjoyed seeing how his fellow actors interpreted their characters and making them his own, Kendall said.

“The vocal talents are also incredibly impressive,” he said. “The harmonies: we just get chills, even when we participate in them. »