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Annie at the National: Don’t Wait for Tomorrow!

Don’t wait for ‘Tomorrow!’  The latest National Tour of Annie the Musical is now playing at the National Theatre — for only one week, and it’s already halfway over!  But limited tickets still remain, and a Day-Of-Performance Lottery for $25 Best Available tickets has attendees hoping ‘Maybe.’
Annie
You may think you’ve seen the iconic 1977 Tony Award® winner, but as usual, this reincarnated popular production offers even more to love… in particular the little red-headed orphan Annie, played by Heidi Gray, an 11 year old actress from the Augusta, GA area, making her tour debut.  There’s a reason this show remains one of the biggest Broadway musical hits ever: and you’ll notice audiences singing along to the scores of “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” “Easy Street,” and “I Don’t Need Anything But You” plus favorites previously mentioned.
Annie the Musical
(One thing they won’t be doing… taking pictures in the theatre.  We’ve seriously never seen a production so strict about this, so take heed and take your souvenir pics outside!)
Annie
Annie, which has been performed in 28 languages and run somewhere around the world for 38 years, is about an orphan girl who isn’t just looking for a home… she honestly believes her real parents are out there trying to get her back.  The lucky girl is selected by the world’s richest man, Oliver Warbucks (Gilgamesh Taggett) to spend the holidays with him.  The inseparable pair go to lengths to find Annie’s parents, upset a few tricksters who aren’t too happy with Annie’s luck, and solve their mutual loneliness by planning to make a home together.
Annie

If there’s an animal in the show, he’s bound to be the star… so feel free to have all the feels for Sunny and Macy, rescue terrier mixes who star as Sandy, Annie’s pick-up stray.  The orphanage ensemble is also exceptionally clap-worthy.  Jeffrey B. Duncan played a perfectly aloof and whimsical FDR; Lynn Andrews’ Miss Hannigan was as bold and brash as could be, with great comedic timing; but this reviewer felt Daddy Warbucks’ overall tone slightly tepid, especially in juxtaposition to Chloe Tiso’s endearing Grace Farrell.

Annie 1247 NationalTheatre

Nevertheless, it’s all smiles and happy endings for Annie and Sandy… and audiences for this limited time Annie experience.

Annie the Musical

*All images courtesy National Theater, credit Joan Marcus