Annie - Sharon Playhouse

The Sharon Playhouse’s production of the musical Annie is first-rate entertainment for young and old audiences alike.  The success of the show relies on the strength of the actress playing the title character, and Avery Hope, who portrays the spunky, resolute orphan, is marvelous in the role.  She lights up the house with her beaming smile, possesses a powerful singing voice, and commands the stage in all her scenes.

Avery Hope and Bailey (Sandy) in Annie.

Annie is rooted in Connecticut musical theater history.  The show had its world premiere at the Goodspeed Opera House in August 1976 and moved to Broadway less than a year later.  It is currently the 30^th longest running production in Broadway history at 2,377 performances.

The orphans in the musical Annie.

Based on Harold Gray’s 1920’s comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, the show follows Annie and her fellow adolescents residing in an orphanage run by the perpetually besotted Miss Hannigan.  The actress is less evil and menacing and more just a mean-spirited drunk.  By happenstance, the billionaire Oliver Warbucks decides to treat one of the waifs – guess who - to a Christmas holiday at his Fifth Avenue mansion.  Soon, the fabulously wealthy industrialist, and his staff, become smitten with the young lass.  Looking to adopt her, Warbucks is temporarily thwarted as he agrees to help Annie look for her parents, who have been missing for 11 years, offering a fabulous reward upon their arrival.  Meanwhile, Miss Hannigan’s felonious brother Rooster and girlfriend Lily St. Regis, hatch a plan to con the billionaire by pretending to be Annie’s mother and father.  In the end, their deception is foiled, Annie becomes Annie Warbucks, and everyone celebrates, even the President FDR.

 

 

Courtney Balan as Miss Hannigan in Annie.

The Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin score is a modern-day classic.  They songs include “It’s The Hard Knock Life,” “Little Girls,” “Easy Street,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” and, of course, the musical's signature song, “Tomorrow.”  Almost every tune composed by Strouse is a hummable gem.  Charnin’s lyrics are smart, yet simple (“The sun'll come out, tomorrow/Bet your bottom dollar, that tomorrow/There'll be sun!”). 

 

Thomas Meehan’s book doesn’t play down to the audience and is snappy and full of comedic moments.  Under Carl Andress’s brisk direction, the show moves steadily and assuredly.  The two-hour running time passes quickly and enjoyably.  While not known as a dancing show, Krystyna Resavy’s choreography adds an entertaining element to a number of scenes.

 

Avery Hope, Savannah Stevenson, and members of the cast of Annie.

The acting corps is led by the buoyant, take charge Ms. Hope, Courtney Balan’s more comic depiction of Miss Hanigan, and Alan H. Green’s self-important, man with a heart-of-gold portrayal of Oliver Warbucks.  The featured cast are just as strong, most notably Harrison Drake as the conniving Rooster Hannigan.  Savannah Stevenson conveys a suitably dignified persona to the role of Grace Farrell, Warbucks’ loyal right-hand woman.  Landry Champlin brings a tinge of humor to her portrayal of Lily St. Regis, Rooster’s partner in crime.  Special mention to Rudd Anderson for enlivening a number of key roles in the show.  There's also the adorable Sandy, the stray dog that wins Annie's heart.  Trained by William Berloni, who began his illustrious career with the Goodspeed production, the pooch is well-behaved and adds a twinkle to the show.

 

 

Landry Champlin, Harrison Drake, and Courtney Balan in Annie.

Christopher and Justin Swader’s Scenic Design effectively create sets over a dozen different scenes.  They are enhanced by Karla Woodworth’s painterly backdrops of New York City, finely lit by Wheeler Moon’s Lighting Design.  Kathleen Deangelis provides a multitude of suitable depression-area costumes.

 

Avery Hope and Alan H. Green in Annie.

Annie, playing at the Sharon Playhouse through August 10.  Click here for dates, times, and ticket information.