For family-friendly musicals, it's hard to beat Annie. Let us count the ways: cute kids, a dog, a billionaire's digs, fancy costumes, easily recognizable good guys and bad guys, a girl searching for her lost parents, etc. No wonder the show, based on the Depression-era comic strip "Little Orphan Annie," has endured. Now more than 25 years old, Annie continues to charm with its upbeat message, best expressed in the classic tune, "Tomorrow." Sure, the formula fairly creaks with familiarity. But there's just no stopping the curly redheaded orphan from stealing our hearts.
Although the current tour is billed as a "brand new production," it's difficult to see what's new about this Annie. The musical still clips along at a brisk pace, taking us from the grimy orphanage of Annie's "youth" (OK, she's still only 11) to a brief stint in Hooverville to the lavish mansion where billionaire Daddy Warbucks awaits to give her anything she wants. A phalanx of servants, too, await Annie's bidding. Even Franklin D. Roosevelt (convincingly portrayed by Allan Baker) can't resist Annie's charms. In fact, her perky outlook inspires the President to create the New Deal.
All of the historical references are lost on the youngest audience members, of course. And it might have been wiser for this "new" production to include more "face time" for the beloved mongrel, Sandy, than the wheelchair-bound F.D.R.
In the title role, Marissa O'Donnell delivers a polished performance. Every note and step is right on target, and she retains a sweet demeanor. Like her character, O'Donnell actually is age 11 (a nice touch). The other orphans go through their paces impressively, too. Each one is a gem. The adults have their work cut out for them to match these talented kids and a really cute dog, but they do just fine in their respective roles.
Conrad John Schuck is tailor-made for the tall, robust Daddy Warbucks. He makes the most of his only solo, "Something Was Missing."
It's hard to imagine that Warbucks doesn't take earlier notice of his pretty and competent secretary, Grace (winsomely played by Elizabeth Broadhurst). She practically floats across the stage, attending to Warbucks' every need. She also gently coaches him toward developing a stronger relationship with Annie.
Despite her star billing, MacKenzie Phillips ("American Graffiti") doesn't have much to do as the gold-digging floozy, Lily St. Regis. She shows her chops in the great production number, "Easy Street." Far more attention is given to another woman who appears in the same number, namely, Miss Hannigan. This drunken, scheming orphanage manager is both a horror and a hoot. As Miss Hannigan, Alene Robertson mugs her way through the show with effortless appeal. She's so far over-the-top that adult audience members can't even see the top. But on opening night, the tots chortled at her every buffoonish gesture. They particularly loved it with Miss Hannigan gets her come-uppance from one of her young charges. Still, it's hard to believe that even hard-hearted Miss Hannigan would agree to her sleazy brother's plan (that includes fraud and murder, no less). But she must, in order to bring the musical to its predictable conclusion.
Costumes are luscious, including outfits in various shades of green worn by Daddy Warbuck's house staff. It makes the staff look less formal and almost Munchkin-like, but that's fine in this case. Ming Cho Lee's sets are about average for touring shows, with the exception of the Christmas-decorated foyer in Daddy Warbuck's mansion. That's a knockout.
We know from the beginning it's only a matter of time before "Annie" trades her "Hard-Knock Life" for one with a happy ending, but it's fun to see her get there.
