That Little Orphan is Back to Brighten the Holiday

A Hard-Knock Life

The feel-good musical Annie is the Christmas offering at Shea’s this week. Winner of seven Tony awards in 1977, including Best Musical, this family friendly show has a long and successful history.

Annie began life in 1885 as a poem called Little Orphant Annie (Little Orphant Annie’s come to our house to stay, An’ wash the cups an’ saucers up, an’ brush the crumbs away…) She was later transformed into a comic strip in 1924 in which the cartoonist targeted political and institutional corruption, criminal gangs, the New Deal and communism, among others. She has been a radio show, several movies, and the Broadway musical that opened in 1977. 

Sun Always Shining

The musical is infused with an optimism that the poem and comic strip did not share. However, it retains a comic strip-like quality in that the characters in the musical are more along the lines of cartoon figures rather than being realistically drawn. That suits the flavor of the show, which takes place around Christmas in 1933 during the Great Depression. It is a cross between a fairy tale and a commentary on the plight of the poor (We’d Like to Thank You). FDR and his cabinet make an appearance, as does Justice Brandeis.

Annie is a precocious, optimistic 11 year old orphan who longs to find her parents. She is despised by the orphanage manager, the wicked Miss Hannigan, a nasty alcoholic who torments the children in her care. The story centers around Annie’s plight and how she finds true happiness in the person of Oliver Warbucks, aka Daddy Warbucks, the richest unmarried man in America, who adopts her. While the plot is rather thin and lacking in surprises, it is a sweet story in which Warbucks, through his relationship with Annie and the lovely Grace Farrell, transforms from a hard-line take-no-prisoners businessman to a man who experiences the transformative power of love.

The Reason for the Season

The production is engaging, the choreography charming, if lacking a “wow” factor, and there are some fine moments, particularly when the ragamuffin orphans sing and dance to It’s a Hard Rock Life and You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile. The children are very talented, have some great dance moves, and will steal your heart, as will the dog, Sandy. He fit right in with those ragamuffin orphans, being a stray that was bound for the pound until Annie rescued him.

Cast members are very much up to their tasks. Rainier (Rainey) Treviño plays Annie as the wise beyond her years child. She has a great set of pipes and can really sell a song. Stephanie Londino as the mean Miss Hannigan channels Carol Burnett at times and is quite amusing. Christopher Swan as Warbucks does a fine job as he comes to understand what is lacking in his life. Supporting cast and ensemble are equally fine.

The signature song of the musical, Tomorrow, perfectly captures the essence of the message of Annie. Even when things are gray and seem hopeless, the sun will come out and shine its light on those in need of love.

Take the family and enjoy this much-produced and much-loved Christmas story.