The sun, the songs and the heartwarming rags-to-riches story—The Smith Center for the Performing Arts hosts the touring Broadway production of Annie this week.
While you may think you know this theater adaptation of Harold Gray’s comic strip Little Orphan Annie, this version brings back some of the originators who created a refresh of the Broadway musical. Debuting in 1977 at the Alvin Theatre in New York City, the original production ran for 2,377 shows. Annie is now performed in 28 languages and has been onstage somewhere in the world constantly for the past 37 years.
Lyricist and director Martin Charnin returns for the 19th time to direct the iconic Tony award-winning musical. And Annie set designer Beowulf Boritt used the original production as his inspiration for the hand-painted backdrops. The 25-member company includes Issie Swickle, a 9-year-old actress from Davie, Fla., making her tour debut as Annie.
The story follows the travails of 11-year-old Annie, who lives in an orphanage but wants to find her parents. She escapes, but finds herself back in the orphanage just as Oliver Warbucks’ assistant comes in to request an orphan to spend Christmas with the billionaire. Even though Warbucks eventually decides that he wants to adopt the girl who has charmed her way into his life, his efforts are thwarted when her “real” parents show up to collect a $50,000 reward.
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m. May 26-29, 2 & 7:30 p.m. May 30-31, $34-$129 plus tax and fee. 702.749.2000
