“Annie”

“Little Orphan Annie” was a comic strip that I remember as a youngster. It was one of my favorites in the Sunday Tribune, along with Dick Tracy, and it was with great anticipation that we waited for the Sunday paper ( we picked it up late Saturday night at a newsstand on  Central and Madison, in our Austin neighborhood). Some of you may not know about newspapers, but it was a printed report about everything, before the internet. I have been a cast member ( playing FDR and others) and have watched at least 12 productions over the years, so I pretty much think this is a show that I know, and with a few exceptions, this one is a winner!

I would hope that most of you have some idea as to “Annie” and the relationship to the era. In this wonderful musical, with a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, we are told the story of “Little Orphan Annie”, based on the Tribune Comic Strip, with permission of the Tribune Content Agency. In the musical version of this comic strip that has followed this girl ( who, by the way, never really grew up) for her spirit, her optimism, determination, and desire to love and be loved.

The musical has been around for over 50 years, and yet little girls (and their parents) still react positively to what it says about life, determination, and lots of spunk. This production, directed by Scott Weinstein, on the stage at Drury Lane is one of the best I have seen ( and I have seen many productions, as well as appeared in one) over the years. It is definitely perfect for the holidays as Christmas is a major part of the story, as we meet Annie ( a delightful performance by  Emerson Mae Chan) and her orphan “sisters,” a lovely and very talented group of young ladies: Kate ( Catharina Araujo, who is the alternate “Annie” as well), Avelyn Lena Choi, Ava Rose Doty, Alegra Becerra, Mae Rose O’Connell, Emma Catherine Ritter, and Elin Joy Seiler. These girls are dynamite and truly show their stuff with “It’s a Hard Knock Life For Me” and their other numbers.

The songs move the story along, giving us insight into the Depression and how it changed people. Politics is always dangerous in entertainment, and many will analyze it to death, comparing it to our current political situation. DO NOT DO THAT! Instead, sit back and let the story flow, allowing you to see that change can make a difference. Here we watch the richest man in the world ( at the time), Oliver Warbucks ( Anand Nagraj) decide to adopt an orphan for the holidays, and watch that charming little Annie change his life forever.

His assistant Grace ( played to perfection by Allison Sill) brings Annie to their home and their entire world changes. Meanwhile, back at the shelter ( I won’t call it an orphanage), Miss Hannigan ( The incredible Kelly Felthous) who seems to hate everyone, and her brother ,Rooster ( deftly handled by Jackson Evans), and his girlfriend, Lily (Amanda Walker) decide they will make a score by claiming to be Annie’s long lost parents to claim a reward from Warbucks. Warbucks is a very high roller, so everyone gets involved, including the President ( FDR is the part I did), who is played Ron E. Rains, along with several other characters, and he plays them all well.

The songs that stand out are well known: “Maybe”,”It’s A Hard Knock Life”, and “Tomorrow” are of great note, and for this production they added a song by Warbucks that I believe slowed down the momentum and truly added nothing to the story.This is a play that is brought back on a regular basis and with a cast like this one, will make the holidays very special in Oakbrook. Ensemble members play many roles and change costumes ( and personalities) on a dime. Great work by Andres Enriquez, Matthew Hommel, Austin Nelson  Jr., Trey Plutnicki, Shelbi Voss, Rochelle Smith, Hannah Remian, Justin Payton Nelson, Tea Kiang Mirabelli, Alexandra Palovic, Easton Hudak and of course, Chicago favorite Ed Kross and his marvelous, Drake.

On the tech side, the Drury Lane people are amazing. Tijana Bjelajac’s set is powerful, and changes with great ease. Going from a shabby orphanage to fancy penthouse and Broadway for the “NYC” song- terrific. Mara Blumenfeld’s costumes are well done, and while we are used to a specific look for Annie’s when she is getting ready to become “Annie”, I was okay with the new look. The wig is a little different, but Megan E. Pirtle’s choice worked fine, as did her others. The sound (Eric Backus) and lighting (Jose Sandiago) were right on, and the props (Cassy Schillo) were perfect.

Let’s not forget Sandy ( a wonderful performance by Georgie) who is trained by William Berloni and was handled by Rochelle Smith. Side note: when Glenbrook North did this show, our daughter’s dog Benji played this role and I was his “handler”. Not an easy task , for man or pet, so I understand this role- I see a Jeff Award for Georgie!.

There is not a great deal of dance in this play, but the choreography by Mara Newberry Greer was quite creative and bright. The music was conducted by Christopher Sargent and his five musicians, Karl Montzka, Lawrence Kohut, Vance Okraszewski, Carey Deadman, and James Gailloreto, and sounded like a full orchestra. The production is one that is perfect family fare that entertains from start to finish. While many of you may already be familiar with the play, it is the interpretation by its director and the cast he or she assembles that make a production unique, and one can see from this one that Scott Weinstein’s heart and soul are part of why this production is so powerful. Bravo to you Scott!

“Annie” will continue Thru – Jan 10, 2027, with performances as follows:

Free parking ( Valet parking also available)

Photos by Justin Barbin

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up, and click on “Annie”.