After more than 5,000 auditions in cities throughout the country, and after filtering through hundreds of online submissions, director James Lapine, the casting directors and the producers have their star. The musical launched the career of Andrea McArdle in 1977, when she was nominated for a Best Actress Tony Award.
The production opens on Broadway this fall at a Nederlander theatre to be announced.
Annie, inspired by the Harold Gray comic strip about a red-headed orphan adopted by a multi-millionaire, will be choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler (In the Heights). Director Lapine is a three-time Tony Award winner whose directorial credits include Sunday in the Park With George, Falsettos, Passion and Into the Woods.
Annie features music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin and book by Thomas Meehan, who all won Tonys for the show in 1977.
The new creative team includes scenic designer David Korins, costume designer Susan Hilferty, lighting designer Donald Holder and sound designer Brian Ronan. Music director is Todd Ellison. Hair and wig design is by Tom Watson. Casting is by Telsey + Company. Animal training is by Tony Award winner William Berloni (who shepherded the original production's mutt, "Sandy"). Annie will be produced on Broadway by Arielle Tepper Madover, Roger Horchow, Sally Horchow, Roger Berlind, Roy Furman, Debbie Bisno, Stacey Mindich, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Daryl Roth/Jane Bergère and Eva Price/Christina Papagjika.
The original production opened April 21, 1977, at the Alvin Theatre and went on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Cast Show Album and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin). The show played 2,377 performances.
The score includes the optimistic anthem "Tomorrow," plus "Maybe," "It's the Hard Knock Life," "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile," "Easy Street," "I Don't Need Anything But You," "NYC" and more.
Group tickets for the new production of Annie are now on sale. Contact Nederlander Sales & Patron Services at (212) 840-3890 or (800) 714-8452 or email [email protected] for details.
Visit www.AnnieTheMusical.com and follow Annie on Twitter @AnnieOnBroadway and on Facebook.
