Since its inception, the story of Little Orphan Annie has captured the hearts of many. It seems to be a tale—which started at first as a comic strip loosely based on a poem—that can always regenerate no matter how many years have passed. And we’ve seen that happen, from Broadway, to a movie, to a televised play, and now back on stage touring around the country.
And luckily, Philadelphia is the next stop on that tour.
The plot takes audiences back to 1933 New York, and follows eleven-year-old Annie (Ellie Pulsifer) on a journey to find her parents. As the show opens, we find Annie along with a group of other girls waking up to six-year-old Molly’s (Bronte Harrison) bad dream. To comfort her, she asks Annie to pull out a note her parents had left her, where they state they will be coming back for the bright-eyed, red-headed 11-year-old.
Although the note is one that comforts Molly and gives Annie hope, the other girls have heard enough of it. They, after all, have been in the orphanage most of their lives, and with a drunk and mean-spirited warden (Miss Hannigan played by Stefanie Londino) and mush (hot or cold) every day being served, it doesn’t seem like a bright future.
The show for some might feel like a walk down memory lane. With stand-outs such as ‘It’s The Hard-Knock Life’ kicking off the big numbers to ‘Tomorrow’ being peppered throughout until its big overture, it’s fun to experience the classic show being performed for a new audience. And it’s also a wide age range that shows up—from parents/grandparents rediscovering an old classic, a younger generation singing along, and even a much younger audience getting to experience it all for the first time.
And it’s utilizing a very talented group of actors who range in age, from the orphans to Mr. Warbucks (Christopher Swan) —even FDR (Mark Woodard) even pops in from time to time.
Mr. Warbucks comes in soon after Annie tries to escape the orphanage, and it’s also out in the streets where she encounters Sandy, a waif dog she befriends instantly. Sandy, who’s entrance into the act is adorable, is actually played by a stray mutt rescued by Tony Award Honoree William Berloni through the Humane Society in 2017. And she’s incredibly on cue.
When brought back to the orphanage, Miss Hannigan isn’t too pleased, and her annoyance raises even higher after Grace (Julia Nicole Hunter) enters the building on a task from billionaire Mr. Warbucks. The “richest single man in the world” hopes to find an orphan to spend two weeks with him for Christmas. And Grace chooses Annie.
Pulsifer is loveable as Little Orphan Annie turned one of the luckiest kids in New York. And that’s how she ends up capturing the heart of Grace and Warbucks—with both actors taking up the task of looking out for Annie, and possibly even adopting her. But she still can’t seem to get her parents out of her mind, so, Mr. Warbucks is now on the lookout and calling in all of the favors he can to find out where they are and what happened.
There also ends up being a reward for any information, and with Miss Hannigan now enraged over Annie’s situation, she greets her shifty brother Rooster (Nick Bernardi), and his new girlfriend Lily (Krista Curry)—although it takes Hannigan some time to warm up to the latter—with the idea of getting some revenge. And money…Warbucks’ money.
Without disrupting the ending for those who haven’t seen it—or for those who need a memory jog, which the show is nostalgically good for—’Annie’ keeps on the pace of a high-energy bustling 1930s New York story. With of course, a lot of heart, sublime talent and really catchy quintessential song and dance numbers.
The story is one that hits the right notes. The work-horse “Daddy” Warbucks has his heart melt (along with the audience) Grace and the staff who work at the estate take up for the 11-year-old, and the ending always sticks. The characters are as adorable, and kooky—’Easy Street’ is truly such a fun number— as you remember. And most importantly, that feeling of nostalgia from some, and pure awe from others certainly can’t be beat.
‘Annie‘ will play at the Campus’ Miller Theater (formerly The Merriam Theater) now until Sunday, Oct. 16.
