Annie The Musical
Capitol Theatre, Sydney
Following rapturous praise from critics and audiences alike, the ever-popular Broadway musical Annie will close at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on 21 June ahead of its transfer to Melbourne’s Princess Theatre from 10 July. Book your tickets now at anniemusical.com.au before this “fantastic celebration of joy, music and life” (musicaltheatre.au) leaves town.
This inspiring new Australian production, directed by Karen Johnson Mortimer and choreographed by Mitchell Woodcock, opened in April to huge acclaim and standing ovations. Here is what critics have to say about this unmissable production:
★★★★ “Filled with optimism, joy and hope … a great reason for a night on the town” – Time Out
★★★★ “Theatrical sunshine” – Limelight
“This production is a triumph” – Australian Stage
“Annie proves the golden age of musical theatre is here…Broadway is so back” – thescoop.au
The stellar cast of Annie is led by Anthony Warlow as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, the role which took him to Broadway, and Debora Krizak as Miss Hannigan. Mackenzie Dunn plays Lily St. Regis, Keanu Gonzalez as “Rooster” Hannigan, while Amanda Lea LaVergne plays Grace Farrell. The original Yellow Wiggle, Greg Page, plays President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his musical theatre debut. The four gifted young performers who share the titular role of Annie are Beatrix Alder, Matilda Casey, Dakota Chanel and Stephanie McNamara.
The girls playing the orphan friends of Annie include Kiki Kersten, Francesca Kong and Matilda Teiotu as Pepper, and Camille Nko’o, Bianca Papa and Olivia Scott sharing the role of Duffy. The role of Kate is shared by Elle Boesen, Yasha Glaperin and Skylah McMah, with July played by Chloe Delle-Vedove, Nina Gallas and Ava Palfreyman. Tessie is played by Pearl Mason, Cailin Scully and Victoria Togias, and Molly by Ellie Lang, Arianna Lorusso and Willow Wilson. Yeshi Jehru, Zoe Reeves, Skye Spiden and Aleia Taliacos are playing Friday. 
The talented ensemble cast members are Luke Alleva, Cameron Boxall, Tim Brown, Emily Casey, Nakita Clarke, Andrew Dunne, Sebastian Johnston, Anna Mallows, Chloë Marshall, Kristina McNamara, Tom New, Ryan Orphel, Madeline Pratt, Lisa Sontag, Suzanne Steele and Dean Vince.
There is still time to go “Behind the Red Curtain” with Annie for a “money can’t buy experience” on Wednesday and Thursday evening this week. Audiences are invited to arrive at 6pm to enter the theatre to watch the cast warm up before the 7pm performance, and get photos with lead cast from 6:30pm. This is the final week of this unique event.
“I’m thrilled with the response from audiences to this a marvellous fresh production of Annie for a whole new generation, with new choreography and updated sets,” said producer John Frost for Crossroads Live. “Tickets for the final four weeks are going fast so line up now to book and see one of the most delightful and inspiring musicals of all time. Don’t wait until Tomorrow and miss out!”
One of the most awarded and loved musicals of all time, with its iconic score featuring classics like It’s the Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street and Tomorrow, Annie is truly a timeless masterpiece, with a book and score written by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin.
Based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” which debuted in 1924 and ran for over 80 years, the musical Annie burst into popularity in 1977 when it opened on Broadway. The musical won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin), the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, and the Grammy® for Best Cast Show Album. After the Broadway run of almost six years, it has played in more than 22 countries worldwide including the UK, Argentina, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Australia. Annie became a smash-hit movie musical in 1982 starring Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney and Carol Burnett that is adored worldwide and a fixture of popular culture references.
A celebration of hope, family and friendship. This small but mighty young girl has returned to stick out her chin and grin once more!
