Tony Tuesday: ANNIE

In 1976, Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin and Thomas Meehan came together to create a musical adaptation of the Harold Gray cartoon strip, ‘Little Orphan Annie’. It tells the story of optimistic orphan Annie who patiently waits for the day her parents will return and remains positive despite the torment from Miss Hannigan. Soon she is taken in by billionaire Oliver Warbucks where she, in time, becomes part of a loving family.

Annie first opened on Broadway in 1977, where it ran for six years becoming the longest running show at the Alvin Theatre. It was only surpassed in 2009 when Hairspray took the top spot.

It wasn’t only the original production that performed at the Tonys though. The 1997 revival, which ran at the Martin Beck Theatre for 14 previews and 239 performances received a nod and Brittny Kissinger performed ‘Tomorrow’ at the awards ceremony. Kissinger was super-swinging before it was cool, who took over the role just 2 weeks before opening due to Joanna Pacitti developing bronchitis. At 8 years old, Kissinger was the youngest actress to ever play on Broadway.

Annie returned to Broadway in 2012 to celebrate the musical’s 35th anniversary with Lilla Crawford leading the cast as the eponymous character, as well as Katie Finneran (later replaced by Jane Lynch and Faith Prince) as Miss Hannigan and Anthony Warlow played Warbucks. Both revivals were nominated for Best Revival of a Musical but neither won it.

Annie has undoubtedly become a worldwide sensation, with three film adaptations of the musical, an NBC live broadcast and numerous tours and revivals around the world. Dozens of major names have appeared in various roles in various productions and there’s no signs of Annie stopping.

FACTS:

Music: Charles Strouse

Lyrics: Martin Charnin

Book: Thomas Meehan

Original Broadway Theatre: Alvin Theatre

Original Production Run: 21 April 1977 – 2 January 1983

TONYS:

Original Broadway production (1977):

NOMINATED: Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical – Reid Shelton, Best Leading Actress in a Musical – Andrea McArdle, Best Direction of a Musical – Martin Charnin

WON: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical – Thomas Meehan, Best Original Score – Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, Best Leading Actress in a Musical – Dorothy Loudon, Best Choreography – Peter Gennaro, Best Scenic Design – David Mitchell, Best Costume Design – Theoni V. Aldredge

1997 Broadway revival:

NOMINATED: Best Revival of a Musical

2013 Broadway revival:

NOMINATED: Best Revival of a Musical