Review: ANNIE, Miller Theater - Kimmel Cultural Campus, Philadelphia (US tour)
Photo credit: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made
Annie is of one the most beloved musicals in the world and the rendition currently playing at the Miller Theater is pure joy.
Annie is directed by Jenn Thompson, who was in the original Broadway production as Pepper. The iconic book and score, written by Tony Award winner Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, is a celebration of love, optimism, and resiliency. The audience on opening night was packed with both children and adults who buzzed with energy that we haven’t seen since pre-Covid times. While the story is nearly 50 years old, this production awoke the characters and brightened the already sunshine-filled songs. It truly made you feel as though the sun will come out tomorrow.
Even though there have been multiple versions of Annie made into movies and the play, with variations in the story lines and songs, the story is always about the same. Little orphan Annie is living a cruel and joyless life in an orphanage in New York City and escapes to find her parents. She is brought back to the orphanage just in time to meet Grace, the assistant to Oliver Warbucks (the wealthiest man in America). Annie and “Daddy” Warbucks grow close and he wants to adopt her, but understands that what she wants more than anything is to find her own parents. Warbucks throws his considerable power and fortune into finding them, which brings out all of the liars and crooks in New York City, including the nefarious Rooster and Lily. Rooster is the slimy sibling of Miss Hannigan, who is the cruel headmistress of the orphanage that Annie grew up in. Together, they scheme to trick Annie and Warbucks for the reward money. However, their jig is up when the FBI discovers their true identities. While Annie is disappointed, she is thrilled to be adopted by Warbucks and that he also helps rescue all of her friends in the orphanage too.
The cast of characters in Annie is one of the best that we have seen. It opens with the orphan girls, each of whom brings something different to the scenes they are in. The two orphans that stood out the most were Bronte Harrison as Annie’s best friend Molly and Riglee Ruth Bryson as Annie’s rival Pepper. They truly delight as they sing, dance and bring laughter to the audience. The odious and detestable Rooster Hannigan (played by Nick Bernardi), Lily St. Regis (played by Krista Curry) and Miss Hannigan (played by Stefanie Londino) are so perfectly paired. Their chemistry pulses on the stage, especially in the vauderville-esque number ‘Easy Street’.
The ensemble also bring out the razzle dazzle in each of the roles they play, from down on their luck homeless people, to radio personalities, to Warbucks staff, and many more. Of course, you can’t have Annie without Annie, played by Ellie Pulsifer, who is bright and mischievous, spunky and sweet, and absolutely perfect for the role. Our favorite character though has to be Sandy, played by Addison. We wish there were more scenes with the Annie’s best pooch because she steals the scene every time she comes on stage.
Annie is only in Philadelphia for a very limited engagement before heading on the rest of the North American tour, which doesn’t conclude until June 2023. If you happen to be in one of the cities that it is coming to, we would suggest running now to buy your tickets. The only thing you will regret is if you wait until it is too late. That really would be a hard knock life!
Upbeat and full of life.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Jamie Flowers
Annie plays at the Miller Theater, Kimmel Cultural Campus, Philadelphia until 16 October, with tickets available here.