It's been a hard-knock life for Brentwood High School actors and singers the last few years. Budgetary concerns meant there would be with no musical productions, keeping the stage dark, and the voices silent.

But the sun will come out when curtains go up on "Annie."

The show will run on April 3 through April 5 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults; $5 for senior citizens and students. Tickets are available at the high school library, at the door or by calling 412-881-4940, ext. 109.

Resurrecting a high school rite of spring after a three-year hiatus has taken a lot of effort on the part of students, staff and particularly director Steve Leopold, who found himself drawn to "Annie".

"I wanted a strong, family-appropriate show," says Leopold, in his first year as musical director.

"I was really upset when they stopped (the musical) but really relieved when they started again," said Brittney Hinnebusch, who plays Lily St. Regis, a villainous character who tries to adopt Annie.

Leopold wanted a production with a large cast so he could involve students in grades 6 to 12.

Lead cast members have mixed feelings about the involvement of middle school students. Many celebrate the youthful enthusiasm of the students.

"Some of the kids know their lines better than me," said Paul Rowsick, a junior who plays Oliver Warbucks.

"They bring a really good air to the production," said Sarah McPartland, a senior who plays Mrs. Hannigan.

But doubts still remain.

"I'm really worried about the middle schoolers," said Nick Kraska, a junior who plays Franklin Delano Roosevelt. "I'm not sure they've ever acted like this before."

Last week, rehearsals shut down when Leopold and many cast members took off to Florida for the annual band trip. Leopold hoped to return to completed sets and costumes so the final rehearsals can take priority.

The show stars Christina Ellis, a senior, in the lead role. Ellis welcomed the change in the musical's faculty leadership.

"I love Mr. Leopold as the director," she said. "He listens to the kids and listens to other ideas. He doesn't just have his own."

Other key roles are Samantha Daly as Grace and Matt Frankwitt as Rooster Hannigan.

"One of the show-stopping roles is Miss Hannigan,," Leopold says.

McPartland finds Leopold's direction style less demanding, and therefore less effective than the previous musical director, Ken Solomon.

"I've never done anything this laid back before," McPartland said.

Hinnebusch, one the show's lead villains, considers the loose leadership style an opportunity to let her creativity shine through.

"He kind of lets you do the character the way you want to do it, not the way he wants it," she said.

Leopold has directed the pit orchestra for past musicals.

He also acted in productions during his middle school through college years. He portrayed Nathan Detroit in "Guys and Dolls" and played the lead role in "Peter Pan" at the former Bishop Boyle High School in Homestead.

At Brentwood, he teaches middle and high school band, high school chorus and jazz band.

Brentwood's "Annie" will compete in the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater this spring.

Leopold says he has "low hopes and expectations" because it is a year with a new director and students who haven't had annual musical theater experience.

However, he's banking on the individual actors to hold their own in such categories as best supporting actor or actress.