Students at Pleasant Valley Middle School are hitting the stage for the production of “Annie Jr.” tonight.

“Our middle school students have been working hard on their production of “Annie Jr.,” said Rhonda Sawyer, the director of the musical.

The show opens at 7 p.m. today and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Sawyer said the cast and crew is made up of 42 students.

Students Scarlett Gnassi is the stage manager, and Paige DeLancey is the curtain manager.

The hardest part of her job, Gnassi said, has been “probably trying to get kids to be quiet.”

“Annie Jr.” is the same story as the Broadway production of “Annie,” but more child appropriate, explained Gary Dobrinsky, who plays the part of Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks.

“There’s a lot less violence,” said Fiona Harvey, who plays Annie.

Audrey Freyer, who plays the part of Warbucks’ secretary Grace Farrell, said the original musical has some fights in it, but this one just has words that reference to it.

The story is about a girl who lives in an orphanage in 1933 in New York City. The orphanage is run by a cruel woman named Miss Hannigan, which is played by Audrey Alicea.

The billionaire Oliver Warbucks decides to bring an orphaned child (Annie) in to his home for Christmas, in order to improve his public image. He wants a boy, but settles for a girl. After spending time with Annie, he falls in love with her and decides to adopt her.

Annie loves living with Warbucks, but still has hopes of finding her parents.

Come to the show to find out how it ends.

The middle school kids have been working on the musical since February.

“It’s really fun to watch,” Freyer said. Her character is kind and proper, and she likes her.

“I like that Grace is a mother figure for Annie,” Freyer said. “I’ve grown to really like this character.”

The opposite of personality to Grace is Miss Hannigan.

“She’s fed up with everyone,” said Audrey Alicea, who plays the role. “I just fell in love with her.”

Alicea said she watched the movie version of “Annie,” and knew that was the character she wanted to play.

Fiona Harvey, who plays Annie, said it’s the perfect role for her. Her favorite song since she was a little girl is “Tomorrow.”

“I love that Annie is somewhat feisty. She likes to argue with people, but she sticks up for everyone, which is good,” Harvey said.

Other members of the cast include: Thomas Cline as Rooster Hannigan and Lily Sullivan as Lily St. Regis; the orphans played by Emily Smith, Delaila Simmonds, Juliana Torres, Harper Polles, Meghan Worden, Abigail Lowell, and Aria Hamill; the servants played by Madisyn Mozelesky, Chelsea Mitchel, Megan LaBar, Emily Smith, Sophia Reed, Emily Blundetto, Madison Zorn, and Natalie Mackowiak.