Leapin’ Lizards! A family favorite show guaranteed to melt even the coldest hearts this holiday season is coming to Los Angeles. The musical “Annie” will grace the Dolby Theatre stage from November 29th through December 18th.
“Annie” is one of the more popular musicals in the U.S., and is based off a comic strip called “Little Orphan Annie” by Harold Gray. The original musical has won multiple Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the song “Tomorrow” became one of the most famous Broadway musical numbers.
Back in 1977 when “Annie” first opened on Broadway, it set a record at the Alvin Theatre for the longest running show (practically six years!). Charles Strouse provides the music with lyrics written by Martin Charnin.
Ellie Pulsifer plays Annie, an orphan who’s had a “Hard Knock Life.” Annie holds onto hope that she will be reunited with her parents, but decides to take matters into her own hands. She tries to escape the orphanage ran by Miss Hannigan (played by Stephanie Londino), a cranky woman who hates children and loves booze.
Annie’s attempts are foiled until Bundles, the nice laundry man, hides her in his truck. Eventually, Annie is captured by forced to return to the orphanage where she meets Grace Farrell (Julie Nicole Hunter), the assistant to Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks (Christopher Swan). Grace takes Annie to the Warbucks mansion to spend Christmas with them. Mr. Warbucks offers $50,000 to anyone who can prove they are Annie’s parents.
Grace goes back to the orphanage to tell Miss Hannigan that Annie is going to be adopted. This infuriates Miss Hannigan who complains to her brother, Rooster (played by Nick Bernardi) and his girlfriend Lilly (Krista Curry). These two hatch a plan to impersonate Annie’s parents and with the help of Miss Hannigan, claim the reward. Luckily, Mr. Warbucks has connections and with the help of Franklin D. Roosevelt (Mark Woodard) and the secret service, they expose the fraudsters allowing Mr. Warbucks to legally adopt Annie. In the end, friends of Mr. Warbucks adopted all the orphans under Miss Hannigan’s care.
“Annie” reminds us all to never give up hope; good things are just around the corner; and there are kind, decent people in this world willing to help. Even when things seem bleak and we feel alone, there is always someone who cares and who is ready to open up their heart.
Make time in your holiday schedule to see this classic musical!
