Jane Lynch to Make Broadway Debut, Stepping Into Miss Hannigan's Stockings in Annie

By Kenneth Jones
20 Feb 2013

Jane Lynch
Jane Lynch
Photo by Scott Kirkland/FOX

Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch, known for playing a bullying cheer coach on TV's "Glee," will take over the role of orphanage matron Miss Hannigan in Broadway's Annie May 16-July 14.

Two-time Tony Award-winning actress Katie Finneran, who created the role of Miss Hannigan in the new production at the Palace Theatre, will exit the production at a date to be announced, in order to begin filming a new NBC comedy series with Michael J. Fox.

Lynch, whose stage credits include working at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company and The Second City, will be making her Broadway debut. She's internationally known for playing the caustic and outrageous Sue Sylvester on FOX's "Glee," for which she won the Emmy and Golden Globe Award.

She said in a statement, "Some may say I know a thing or two about playing intimidating authority figures. So I am excited and honored to be making my Broadway debut with the wonderful Annie company at the Palace Theatre and joining the pantheon of women who have taken on the great and irresistible role of wicked Miss Hannigan."

Finneran said in a statement, "I am forever indebted to the creative team and producers of Annie. They made a dream come true for me by giving me the chance to play Miss Hannigan on Broadway. And now they have been unbelievably generous in recognizing what a unique opportunity this television series is for my family and me. I am so grateful to them for making it possible for me to begin filming the series this summer and I can't wait to come back and see the goddess Jane Lynch bring down the house at the Palace."

Lynch's film credits include "Three Stooges," "Wreck-It Ralph," "Julie & Julia," "Shrek Forever After," "For Your Consideration," "A Mighty Wind" and "Best in Show," among others.

She also penned the autobiography "Happy Accidents."

Annie, the 1977 Tony-wining musical of a New York orphan adopted by a billionaire, features a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. Tony Award winner James Lapine directs this revival, with choreography by Tony winner Andy Blankenbuehler.

Annie currently stars two-time Tony Award winner Katie Finneran as Miss Hannigan, Australian star Anthony Warlow making his Broadway debut as Daddy Warbucks and 11-year-old Lilla Crawford as Annie, with Brynn O'Malley as Grace Farrell, Clarke Thorell as Rooster Hannigan, and J. Elaine Marcos as Lily St. Regis. The Orphans are Madi Rae DiPietro as July, Georgi James as Pepper, Junah Jang as Tessie, Tyrah Skye Odoms as Kate, Taylor Richardson as Duffy, Emily Rosenfeld as Molly, Brooklyn Shuck as standby for Molly, Kate, Tessie, July and Duffy, Sadie Sink as standby for Annie, Tessie, Duffy, July and Kate and Jaidyn Young as standby for Annie, Pepper, Duffy and July. The production also features Ashley Blanchet, Jane Blass, Jeremy Davis, Fred Inkley, Merwin Foard, Joel Hatch, Danette Holden, Amanda Lea LaVergne, Gavin Lodge, Liz McCartney, Desi Oakley, Keven Quillon, David Rossetti, Sarah Solie, Dennis Stowe and Ryan VanDenBoom.

Tickets are currently on sale through Nov. 17, 2013. Visit AnnieTheMusical.com.