Annie: 2002

Set against a backdrop of Manhattan in the midst of the Great Depression, Annie follows the rags-to-riches story of an 11-year-old orphan.

Annie’s only hope is to escape the New York orphanage run by the tyrannical Miss Hannigan. Will billionaire Daddy Warbucks finally make her dreams come true?

The musical was based on Harold Gray’s Little Orphan Annie comic strip. Lyricist and director Martin Charnin convinced initially sceptical playwright Thomas Meehan and composer Charles Strouse to adapt the cartoon for the stage.

Annie first opened on Broadway in April, 1977, running for 2,377 performances – making it one the longest running musicals of the 1970s. The following year it opened at the Victoria Palace in London, where it enjoyed a hugely successful run.

The movie version, starring Albert Finney, Aileen Quinn, Ann Reinking and Carol Burnett, followed in 1982. Despite being described as “entertaining” by critics, the film was a major financial disaster and won a Golden Raspberries award for Worst Supporting Actress.
Songs include Tomorrow, Little Girls, I Think I’m Going to Like it Here, Easy Street, You Won’t Be an Orphan for Long, Maybe, A New Deal for Christmas and You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.

T.A.T.S would like to thank the following people for their help and support: John Howlett, Janet and Keith Cockings, Tim from the Three Fishes, Charles Street, Tim Brewster.