Martin Charnin (the show's Tony Award-winning lyricist) directs a cast that includes Conrad John Schuck as Daddy Warbucks, Chicago favorite and multiple Jeff Award-winner Alene Robertson as Miss Hannigan and Marissa O'Donnell as Annie. This is the same tour that will sit down at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan — N.Y.C., Annie's home turf — during the holidays.
Annie is the optimistic musical comedy inspired by the comic strip "Little Orphan Annie," about a moppet adopted by a billionaire Republican in the 1930s. The show was a tonic for post-Vietnam, post-Watergate audiences. Its central anthem "Tomorrow" is known internationally.
The Chicago run continues to Oct. 1.
The troupe also includes Allan Baker (FDR), Amanda Balon (Duffy/U.S. Molly ) Elizabeth Broadhurst (Grace), Julie Cardia (Swing/U.S. Miss Hannigan), Gabi Carrubba (Kate/U.S. Annie), David Chernault (Drake/Ensemble) Kelly Lynn Cosme (Ronnie Boylan/Ensemble/U.S. Lily), Richard Costa (Jimmy Johnson/Morganthau/Apple Seller/Ensemble), Antoinette DiPietropolo (Swing), Jennifer Evans (Ronnie Boylan), Ashley Puckett Gonzales (Lily St. Regis), Brian Michael Hoffman (Ensemble/Dog Handler), Aaron Kaburick (Bundles/Justice Brandeis/Ensemble), Allen Kendall (Lt. Ward/Fred McCracken/Howe/Ensemble) Billy Kimmel (Swing), Anastasia Korbal (Molly), Brandy Panfili (Tessie), Monica L. Patton (Star To Be/Ensemble), Katherine Pecevich (Mrs. Pugh/Ensemble), Liz Power (Bonnie Boylan/Mrs. Greer/U.S. Grace), NicKayla Tucker (July), Harry Turpin (Harold Ickes/Sound Effects Man/Ensemble), Christopher Vettel (Bert Healy/Ensemble/U.S. FDR), Scott Willis (Rooster) and Madison Zavitz (Pepper).
Lola plays Sandy, the mutt that Annie takes under her wing. (The canine barks in the show, but "Arf!" was the primary exclamation in the funny papers.) Dates in Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Sarasota, Clearwater, Greenville, SC, Des Moines, Memphis and Grand Rapids follow Chicago. Annie will play The Theatre at Madison Square Garden Dec. 6-30, and then heads back out on the road for 2007 dates.
The creative team includes Thomas Meehan (book), Charles Strouse (music) Martin Charnin (direction, lyrics) Peter Gennaro (original Broadway staging), Liza Gennaro (choreographer) Ming Cho Lee (set), Theoni V. Aldredge (costumes), Ken Billington (lighting) Peter Hylenski (sound), Jimm Halliday (additional costume designer), Bernie Ardia (hair designer), William Berloni (animal trainer), Keith Levenson (musical director).
Producers are Kary M. Walker (executive producer), Rodger H. Hess, TC Theatrical and NETworks Presentations, LLC.
Visit www.annieontour.com.
