Annie (musical) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Annie
Original Broadway windowcard
Music	Charles Strouse
Lyrics	Martin Charnin
Book	Thomas Meehan
Productions	1976 Goodspeed Opera House 1977 Broadway 1978 West End 1978-1981 North American tour 1982 1st West End revival 1997 1st Broadway revival 1998 2nd West End revival 2000 UK tour 2005 US tour 2006 UK tour 2011 UK tour 2012 2nd Broadway revival 2014 US tour 2015 UK tour 2017 3rd West End revival 2019 UK tour 2022 US tour 2023 UK tour 2023 US tour 2025 Australian Tour
Awards	Tony Award for Best Musical Tony Award for Best Original Score Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical

Annie is a popular musical with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a story by Thomas Meehan. It is based on the 1924 comic strip Little Orphan Annie by Harold Gray. This comic strip was inspired by the poem Little Orphant Annie by James Whitcomb Riley. The first Broadway show opened in 1977. It ran for almost six years, setting a record for the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre).

The musical has been performed in many countries. It has also had many national tours. Annie won seven Tony Awards, including for Best Musical. Its most famous songs are "Tomorrow" and "It's the Hard Knock Life".

The Story of Annie

How Annie Began

The idea for a musical about Little Orphan Annie started in 1972. Writer Thomas Meehan looked at the old comic strips. He decided to create a new story using the main characters. These characters were Annie, Oliver Warbucks, and Sandy the dog.

Meehan, Charnin, and Charles Strouse were all from New York. They decided to set the story in New York during the Great Depression. This was a time when many people faced hard times. Meehan saw Annie as a modern version of the brave orphan characters from Charles Dickens' books, like Oliver Twist. Annie's unknown parents and her abandonment added a mystery to her story.

Annie's Adventure: Act One

The story begins in 1933 in New York City. Eleven-year-old Annie lives in an orphanage with many other girls. One night, a younger girl named Molly has a bad dream. Annie comforts her by singing about her own parents. She hopes they will come back for her someday ("Maybe"). Annie tries to escape to find her parents. However, she is caught by Miss Hannigan, the orphanage's mean caretaker.

To punish Annie, Miss Hannigan makes all the girls clean. The orphans sing about their difficult lives ("It's the Hard Knock Life"). Later, the laundry man, Bundles, arrives. Annie uses this chance to escape in his truck. Miss Hannigan realizes Annie is gone and chases after the truck. The other orphans cheer for Annie, but they know punishment awaits them ("It's the Hard Knock Life (Reprise)").

Annie escapes and meets a friendly stray dog. She tells him that better days are coming ("Tomorrow"). She pretends the dog is hers and names him Sandy. Annie and Sandy then find a Hooverville. This was a shanty town where people who lost their homes during the Great Depression lived. They jokingly sing about the former president, Herbert Hoover ("We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover"). Police break up the shanty town and take Annie back to the orphanage. Miss Hannigan gives her extra chores as punishment.

Back at the orphanage, Miss Hannigan complains about being surrounded by children ("Little Girls"). Grace Farrell, the assistant to the rich businessman Oliver Warbucks, visits. She wants to find an orphan to spend Christmas at his mansion. Grace sees how unkindly Miss Hannigan treats Annie. She insists on taking Annie to the mansion ("Little Girls (Reprise)").

At Warbucks's mansion, Grace introduces Annie to the staff. She explains that Annie will have everything she needs ("I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here"). Oliver Warbucks returns. He is surprised Annie is a girl, as he expected a boy. Warbucks tells Grace to take Annie to a movie. But when he learns Annie has never seen New York, he decides to show her the city himself. They walk through the city, seeing its wonders ("N.Y.C.").

Grace visits Miss Hannigan to tell her that Warbucks wants to adopt Annie. Miss Hannigan becomes very jealous. Her brother, Rooster, who has been in trouble with the law, and his greedy girlfriend, Lily, visit. When Miss Hannigan mentions Annie's adoption, Rooster sees a chance to get money. They plan to trick Warbucks and bring Annie back to Miss Hannigan ("Easy Street").

Warbucks notices a broken locket Annie wears. He buys her a new, fancy one from Tiffany's. When he tries to replace her old locket, Annie cries. The locket is the only thing left from her parents. She still hopes they will return. Warbucks promises to find her parents, no matter what. He even calls J. Edgar Hoover to get the Federal Bureau of Investigation to help ("You Won't Be an Orphan for Long"/"Maybe (Reprise)").

Annie's Adventure: Act Two

Annie appears on Bert Healy's radio show. Warbucks announces a $50,000 reward for anyone who can prove they are Annie's parents. Healy sings a song with the Boylan Sisters ("You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile"). At the orphanage, the girls listen and happily sing along ("You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile (Reprise)").

A couple claiming to be Annie's parents, Ralph and Shirley Mudge, arrive at the orphanage. These are actually Rooster and Lily in disguise. With Miss Hannigan's help, they believe they can trick everyone and get the money. Miss Hannigan demands half of the reward ("Easy Street (Reprise)").

Warbucks takes Annie to Washington, D.C.. There, she meets President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt and his team are inspired by Annie's hopeful spirit. They decide to make optimism a key part of their plans for the country ("Tomorrow (Reprise)").

Back home, Warbucks tells Annie how much he cares for her ("Something Was Missing"). Since all the people claiming to be her parents were fakes, he offers to adopt her. Annie happily accepts. The excited staff help Annie get ready for the adoption. They talk about how she has changed their lives ("Annie"). As Judge Louis Brandeis arrives for the adoption, Warbucks and Annie dance together ("I Don't Need Anything But You").

Their celebration is interrupted by Rooster and Lily, still in disguise. They show fake documents and the other half of Annie's locket. This seems to confirm their story. Warbucks asks if Annie can stay one more night. They agree to take her on Christmas morning.

The next morning, Annie wonders if life with her "parents" will be as good as with Warbucks ("Maybe (Reprise)"). Warbucks gets a surprise visit from President Roosevelt and his Secret Service. The FBI discovered that Annie's real parents, David and Margaret Bennett, died in a fire long ago when Annie was a baby. Mr. and Mrs. "Mudge" show up to take Annie and the money. But they are quickly revealed to be Rooster and Lily. The Secret Service arrests them and Miss Hannigan for their dishonest plan.

Annie is officially adopted by Warbucks. He notes that this Christmas is a new beginning for them. It is also a new beginning for the other orphans, who are adopted by Warbucks's wealthy friends. And it is a new beginning for the country, thanks to Roosevelt's New Deal ("A New Deal for Christmas").

Meet the Characters

Annie on Stage: Productions and Tours

Annie is performed hundreds of times each year in the United States.

Early Productions and Broadway Success

The musical first opened on August 10, 1976, at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut. Kristen Vigard was the first actress to play Annie. However, producers felt her portrayal was too sweet for the tough orphan. She was replaced by Andrea McArdle, who had been playing another orphan.

The original Broadway production opened on April 21, 1977, at the Alvin Theatre. Andrea McArdle starred as Annie, Reid Shelton as Warbucks, and Dorothy Loudon as Miss Hannigan. The show was a huge success. It was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven, including Best Musical. Over its long run, other actresses like Sarah Jessica Parker and Allison Smith played Annie. The show moved to several different theaters before closing on January 2, 1983, after 2,377 performances.

Andrea McArdle, Reid Shelton and Sandy, 1977

Touring Across America

During its Broadway run, four different touring companies brought Annie to cities across North America. These tours allowed many more people to see the beloved musical. Young actresses like Kathy Jo Kelly, Mary K. Lombardi, and Louanne Sirota played Annie on these tours. Even future stars like Molly Ringwald and Alyssa Milano were part of the orphan cast in early tours.

Annie in London's West End

The musical also premiered in London's West End at the Victoria Palace Theatre on May 3, 1978. Andrea McArdle played Annie for a short time, and then British actresses like Ann Marie Gwatkin took over the role. Sheila Hancock played Miss Hannigan. The London production closed on November 28, 1981, after 1,485 performances. After its London run, the show went on a tour across Britain.

Broadway and West End Revivals

A 20th-anniversary Broadway revival opened in 1997. Nell Carter starred as Miss Hannigan. There was a lot of discussion when the original actress chosen for Annie, Joanna Pacitti, was replaced by Brittny Kissinger shortly before opening. Brittny, at 8 years old, became the youngest actress to play Annie on Broadway. This revival ran for 239 performances.

In 1998, Annie returned to the Victoria Palace Theatre in London. Lesley Joseph and later Lily Savage (comedian Paul O'Grady) played Miss Hannigan.

A 35th-anniversary Broadway production opened in 2012. Lilla Crawford starred as Annie, with Katie Finneran as Miss Hannigan and Anthony Warlow as Warbucks. This production closed on January 5, 2014.

Recent Tours and International Shows

Since its first run, Annie has continued to tour extensively. A 40th-anniversary tour began in 2014, directed by Martin Charnin, the original lyricist. This tour featured Issie Swickle and Heidi Gray as Annie. Another US tour, directed by Jenn Thompson (who played Pepper in the original Broadway show), started in 2022 and continues into 2025. Hazel Vogel is playing Annie in the current season, and Whoopi Goldberg joined the cast as Miss Hannigan for a limited time in late 2024.

"Easy Street" from the 30th Anniversary National Tour performed by McKenzie Phillips (Lily St. Regis), Scott Willis (Rooster Hannigan) and Alene Robertson (Miss Hannigan)

Annie has also been performed in many countries around the world. These include Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, and South Korea, showing its global appeal.

The Music of Annie

Famous Songs from Annie

The musical features many memorable songs that tell Annie's story:

• "Maybe" – Annie and Orphans
• "It's the Hard Knock Life" – Annie and Orphans
• "Tomorrow" – Annie
• "We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover" – Ensemble
• "Little Girls" – Miss Hannigan
• "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here" – Grace, Annie, Ensemble
• "N.Y.C." – Warbucks, Grace, Annie, Star-to-Be, Ensemble
• "Easy Street" – Rooster, Miss Hannigan and Lily
• "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" – Bert Healy and the Boylan Sisters
• "Something Was Missing" – Warbucks
• "I Don't Need Anything But You" – Warbucks and Annie
• "A New Deal for Christmas" – Warbucks, Grace, Annie, Roosevelt, Orphans and staff

A song called "Why Should I Change a Thing?" was added for Warbucks in a 2000 Australian production. It's sometimes included in other shows.

Annie's Music Recordings

The original Broadway cast recording was made in 1977 and released by Columbia Records. This recording lets listeners enjoy the musical's songs. A special 30th-anniversary cast recording was released in 2008. It featured many actors who had been in Annie before, including Carol Burnett and Andrea McArdle.

Annie in Books and Movies

Annie's Books

In 1980, Thomas Meehan wrote a novel based on his musical script. This book added more details to the characters' backgrounds. It also showed the hard and unfair work the orphans had to do. Annie's personal motto, "Tomorrow," was a key part of the story.

Another book, written by Leonore Fleischer, came out in 1982. This book was based on the screenplay for the first Annie movie.

Annie on Screen

Annie has been adapted into several films and television specials:

• The first film version was released in 1982 by Columbia Pictures. It was directed by John Huston and starred Albert Finney as Warbucks, Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan, and Aileen Quinn as Annie.
• A made-for-TV movie, Annie: A Royal Adventure!, came out in 1995. It was a sequel but did not feature many songs.
• The Walt Disney Company produced another TV movie version in 1999. It starred Victor Garber as Daddy Warbucks, Kathy Bates as Miss Hannigan, and Alicia Morton as Annie.
• In 2014, a new film remake was released. It starred Quvenzhané Wallis as Annie, Jamie Foxx as Will Stacks (a modern Warbucks), and Cameron Diaz as Miss Hannigan.
• In 2021, NBC aired a live television production called Annie Live!. It featured Celina Smith as Annie, Taraji P. Henson as Miss Hannigan, and Harry Connick Jr. as Oliver Warbucks.

A documentary film, Life After Tomorrow, was made by former child actresses from Annie. It shares their experiences of growing up in the show.

Annie for Young Performers

Annie Jr. is a special version of the musical for children to perform. It is shorter and simpler, perfect for school plays and theater camps. There is also Annie KIDS, an even shorter version for younger elementary-aged performers. These versions make it easier for kids to bring the story of Annie to life on stage.

Awards and Recognition

Annie has received many awards for its original Broadway production and subsequent revivals.

Original Broadway production

1997 Broadway revival

1998 London revival

2013 Broadway revival