OK, I'll admit it straight out... this was the first time the kids and I have ever seen the musical Annie. Like ever. I've seen a couple of scenes from the first movie with Carol Burnett but only had a vague understanding of the story and the key songs. I'm so glad that I was given this opportunity to see the show at the Boch Center Wang Theatre in Boston because it was truly a delight from start to finish.
Annie is set in 1933 and is the story of an 11-year-old orphan who is adopted by Oliver Warbucks, a rich New York businessman. We learn about Annie's hard luck life at the orphanage, where she lives with several other girls and Mrs. Hannigan, the orphan home's manager who's just in it for a buck and really just wants to find Easy Street. The girls are plucky and optimistic, and Annie desperately hopes to find her parents, who left her there with a letter and a locket when she was a baby. She runs away and meets Sandy the dog and some of the many people living on the streets during the Great Depression. When she returns to the orphanage, she is lucky enough to be chosen by Mr. Warbucks' secretary as his "Christmas orphan", to spend two weeks in the lap of luxury during the Christmas season.
Annie charms Mr. Warbucks, who sets out to adopt her but she decides to try to find her parents first. Mr. Warbucks calls in the FBI and even President Roosevelt to use all their resources to find Annie's parents...and Mrs. Hannigan and her scoundrel brother see their opportunity to claim his reward. It all comes together on Christmas Day, when Annie learns the truth about her parents and Mr. Warbucks' hope to adopt her is resolved.
The musical is filled with familiar songs, including "It's the Hard Knock Life", "Tomorrow", and "Easy Street", and many songs that were new to us, such as "Maybe", "N.Y.C.", and "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile". Angelina Carballo as Annie is outstanding, with a powerful, true voice and an amazing talent (she really is only 12 years old!). Erin Fish is fantastic as Mrs. Hannigan -- wonderfully boozy and an incredible singer. All of the actors were truly top-notch as you would expect from a performance of this caliber, and there was not one miss or awkward moment in the entire show (always a fear of mine, as someone who gets a bit stressed with live performances).
I was riveted watching the girls from the orphanage in their songs. They were flawless -- great acting, perfectly coordinated choreography, gorgeous voices and so much energy! Two of the girls are sisters, 9-year-old Katie Wylie and 12-year-old Amanda Wylie. (Imagine being their parents?!) Katie, in particular, was absolutely adorable with her incredible energy.
My kids, age 10, 12 and 14, loved the show, which is amazing given that they're deep into showing how unimpressed they are with most things. It was wonderful to see them on their edge of their seats, completely absorbed in the show. I found the show so delightful that I think I had a big goofy grin the whole time.
Annie is a wonderful show for families with kids over age 5 and would be a memorable special occasion. Children younger than 5 may find the show too long but would probably do well in a matinee performance.
For tickets and information, visit www.anniethemusical.com and follow www.facebook.com/AnnieTheMusical on Facebook.
My family received complimentary tickets for this performance. All opinions are my own, and no other compensation was received.
