Heart-warming Annie musical is as entertaining as ever
The musical Annie has delighted audiences since it premiered on Broadway in 1977 and the latest revival, which has just opened at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre, continues the trend.
Anytime a stage musical has a cast of talented kids and features an adorable dog, it’s bound to be a success. And when superstar actor Anthony Warlow leads the cast, as in the latest revival of the Broadway hit Annie which had its Melbourne premiere at the Princess Theatre on July 10, it guarantees a wonderfully entertaining production.
Warlow is in familiar territory playing Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, having starred as the billionaire businessman in earlier Australian productions at the Regent theatre in 2001 and 2012, and a Broadway production in 2012.
Despite his role not being as big as some of his previous blockbuster roles such as The Phantom of the Opera, Warlow more than makes up for it with the classy quality of his performance.
Annie was an instant Broadway success when it premiered in 1977 with a run of almost six years, kicked off by winning seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, and the latest revival remains fresh and vibrant.
The cast includes Debora Krizak, who brings class and comic timing to her role as tyrannical orphanage supervisor Miss Hannigan, while Keanu Gonzalez plays her brother “Rooster” Hannigan and Mackenzie Dunn shines as his latest flame, Lily St Regis.
One of the show’s highlights is when the trio sing and dance Easy Street.
Warlow’s real-life wife, Amanda Lea LaVergne, plays Warbucks’ no-nonsense secretary Grace Farrell, while the original Yellow Wiggle, Greg Page, makes his musical theatre debut playing President Franklin D Roosevelt.
On opening night Isabella Hayden was the talented young performer who played red-headed orphan Annie and deserved her standing ovation. She shares the role with two other Annies.
Of course, Annie is renowned for its classic songs led by It’s the Hard-Knock Life – and early highlight featuring Annie and the fellow orphans – and Annie’s scene-stealing solo Tomorrow, although she’s nearly upstaged by the appearance of her canine companion.
The story of Annie is set around 11-year-old Annie, who dreams of finding her parents who left her at the orphanage as a baby with a broken locket and a note saying they would return. Her unwavering faith allows her to endure the harsh life in the orphanage.
Cartoon movies projected onto the stage take the audience through the streets of New York at various points in the production, cleverly conveying life in the 1930s during the depression.
Annie’s heart-warming tale, strong performances and clever production elements giving this classic story a fresh sparkle.
Annie is at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne for a lengthy season and continues its Australian tour in Brisbane in December. Bookings: anniemusical.com.au