ON STAGE NOW

ANNIE

September 14 - November 3, 2018

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. The little redhead is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations and even befriends President Franklin Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family with billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

The musical is based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie created by Harold Gray and first published in the New York Daily News on August 5, 1924. Fifty-two years and five days later, Annie and Daddy Warbucks appeared on stage for the very first time in a pre-Broadway tryout of the new musical at the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut. Starring as the street-smart orphan in the premiere production was Kristen Vigard.

Annie transfered to Broadway's Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre) the following year, opening on April 21st. Taking over the role of Annie for its Broadway bow was Andrea McArdle, alongside Reid Shelton as Warbucks, and Dorothy Loudon as Miss Hannigan.

After six successful years and 2,377 performances, Annie's Broadway run came to an end on January 2, 1983, taking with it seven Tony Awards including one for Best Musical. Since its premiere, Broadway has seen two revivals of the show -- the first in 1997 entitled Annie, the 20th Anniversary followed by the 35th Anniversary production in 2012.

Like Broadway, 2018's staging will be the third time Annie has appeared at Way Off Broadway. The first in 1997 and then again in 2003. As the most popular family-friendly musical to ever take the WOB stage, it was only fitting for Annie to be a part of the theatre's 25th Silver Anniversary Season.

Music by Charles Strouse

Lyrics by Martin Charnin

Book by Thomas Meehan

Based on Little Orphan Annie by Permission of The Media Tribune Service, Inc.

Licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI)