Annie has started playing at the Saenger and it is a spectacular hit for the entire family. This cast of amazing talent brings this beloved musical to life. Annie was the first play (and musical) I saw when a child and has been one of my favorites since then (sounds crazy but it has). So this play brought back some amazing memories of my first visit to the Saenger with my parents. It warmed my heart to see so many families there, knowing that it was many of those children’s first time there also. The night was extra special thanks to the Hotel Monteleone who gave me tickets for great seats orchestra center stage and hosted a lovely little soiree at their restaurant Criollo before the show. Their chef whipped up some inspired dishes and little bites, with my stand out being the BLT on an edible spoon.
The new U.S. National Tour of ANNIE will play February 3 – 8, 2015, at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE will be a brand new physical incarnation of the iconic Tony Award-winning original. ANNIE has a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. All three authors received 1977 Tony Awards. Choreography is by Liza Gennaro, who will incorporate selections from her father Peter Gennaro’s 1977 Tony Award-winning choreography.
The show has a storied history in the theatre world and just recently a few years saw a revival on Broadway with Jane Lynch as Miss Hannigan in 2013. The original production of ANNIE opened April 21, 1977 at the Alvin Theatre and went on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Cast Show Album and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin). The show remains one of the biggest Broadway musical hits ever. It ran for 2,377 performances after it first opened, and has been performed in 28 languages and has been running somewhere around the world for 37 years.
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The show’s hits include “Maybe,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You” and the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.” All aspects of this production was noteworthy from the fabulous acting to the costumes and set that moved effortlessly across the stage. The celebrated design team includes scenic design by Tony Award winner Beowulf Boritt (Act One, The Scottsboro Boys, Rock of Ages), costume design by Costume Designer’s Guild Award winner Suzy Benzinger (Blue Jasmine, Movin’ Out, Miss Saigon), lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington (Chicago, Annie, White Christmas) and sound design by Tony Award nominee Peter Hylenksi (Rocky, Bullets Over Broadway, Motown). The lovable mutt “Sandy” (who by the way is so adorable and a 4 year old rescue terrier mix named Sunny) will once again be trained by Tony Award Honore William Berloni (Annie, A Christmas Story, Legally Blonde).
The outstanding company features Issie Swickle, a 9-year-old actress from Davie, FL, making her tour debut as Annie. Gilgamesh Taggett and Ashley Eder star as Oliver Warbucks and Grace. In the role of Miss Hannigan is Lynn Andrews who stole the show in every scene she was in with her exhuberant approach and perfect comic timing. She was definitely the stand-out performance for me, but the entire cast was excellent.
Tickets for ANNIE start at $25 and will be available at the Saenger Theatre Box Office, BroadwayInNewOrleans.com, and all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling (800) 982-2787.