Annie-inspired play to benefit Detroit’s homeless and foster children

n’Dee is a musical inspired by the Broadway play Annie with quite a twist. Instead of a red-headed orphan, the title character is a 12-year-old black boy – an ambitious foster child with a determination to have a successful future. His story is told with the hope of inspiring dreams of children on and off stage.

“This is not another play, this is a mission,” says Dr. Fleda Fleming, founder of Equipped, a Detroit-area youth services organization. “This is to reach the foster and homeless population. This play is meant to encourage and motivate children to strive. To say your present situation doesn’t determine your future. It doesn’t last permanently. We want them to dream a prosperous future.”

An’Dee is set in a homeless shelter, which is personal to the young actor playing its title character. Justin Malone-Horton was living in a homeless shelter three years ago; he is now attending Cranbrook Kingswood High School this fall.

“We can change our can’ts into cans and dreams into plans,” Fleming says.

There will be two performances of An’Dee on Aug. 20 at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn. Tax-deductible donations are currently being accepted to provide complimentary tickets to sponsor the children and youth who will attend the matinee show. Get more information at equipped4success.org.