Faith Prince in ANNIE tonight- Page 3

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 9:19pm

"I'm surprised there was no recognition of it being so many of the orphans' last performance. Did Lilla Crawford seem at all emotional?"

I personally felt Lilla put a little MORE emotion into some of her songs - as the last time she would officially sing them. And I felt all the orphans really gave it their all throughout the show... But the end all the kids seems a little emotional and very excited but basically happy. As the curtain came down, Lilla waved to the audience with a big smile on her face.

[Younger Brother]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 6:45am

Does anyone know who is replacing Brynn?

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 7:43am

"I saw Faith Prince today at Lilla's final performance...She was my favorite of the three Hannigans and seems to have formed the most complete character...She doesn't play it as over the top as her two predecessors, and its to the benefit of the production."

I could not agree more. I kept wondering why they didn't hire her to begin with. She was perfect - and made Hannigan more much human(and less of a caricature than the other two.)

Another note on the orphans...it was nice that Jaidyn Young - swing/standby - who was not part of Sunday's cast appeared in the final scene and took a curtain call at the end. So all 5 children who are leaving the cast were there at the end yesterday. Except for Junah, the other four leaving were definitely the tallest children in the cast - the new cast is going to be much smaller and younger looking.

(A previous post of mine in this thread disappeared - so if it should return, sorry for repeating what I previously said)

[newintown]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 10:14am

I'm fascinated with the role of Miss Hannigan; having seen Loudon first, then many, many, many others try it on for size - Burnett, Bates, Nell Carter, her understudy, Finneran, and a lot of unknown regional gals.

What's weird is that Loudon was guffaw-inducing hilarious, and not a single one of the others I've seen has been better than amusing (and some have been just awful - like poor old Nell Carter).

Is it the role? Was it so tailored for Loudon that no one else can capture the laughs like she did?

Another role with the same problem for me - Winifred in Once Upon A Mattress; I never saw Burnett live, but I've seen the two TV versions, and she's hilarious. I've never seen anyone else be remotely as funny in the part.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 10:36am

Newintown, it might have been the magic of the original production, which I saw 4 times over the course of its run with 3 different Miss Hannigans. No one in my mind equaled Dorothy Loudon's performance, but Alice Ghostley and Deloris Wilson from what I remember were funny. Alice Ghostley kind of reminded me of Paul Lynde.

I also saw the original West End production, Miss Hannigan was played by Maria Charles, but unfortunately I don't remember much about the performances per se.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 11:48am

I saw the performance seven times last night! I never saw Loudon in the role, but Faith Prince was better every time.

[willep]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 4:40pm

Sounds like a long night.

[Joviedamian]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 9:17pm

Mister Matt, does that mean ANNIE is going dark after tonight since the show played 7 times last night and equity says 8 shows a week, so I guess tonight is their last show of the week...darn I had tickets for Friday.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 10:03pm

Younger Brother, I don't know who is replacing Brynn O'Malley, but I do know that (per her) she is only on a leave of absence to do HONEYMOON IN VEGAS and will be returning to ANNIE shortly thereafter in November.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 10:29pm

When does Brynn's leave start?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 11:13pm

Mister Matt, does that mean ANNIE is going dark after tonight since the show played 7 times last night and equity says 8 shows a week, so I guess tonight is their last show of the week...darn I had tickets for Friday.

Precisely. I also heard they were closing the show because nobody could top Prince's definitive performance as Hannigan. The OBC will no longer be available. I'm throwing mine away.

[matineeidol2591]

Posted: 8/8/13 at 11:23pm

Saw 'Annie' this evening. This production is a total mess-terrible choreography, cheap looking sets and costumes, and horribly misguided direction/tone. I admit I am charmed by Annie and its score, but this production reeeeeally missed the mark. I was bored to tears and considered leaving shortly after the second act started. On the plus side, the orchestra is FABULOUS, and the entire cast is very talented. I don't think I've heard an ensemble sound better vocally in a very long time. The house was also nearly full.

Unfortunately, Faith Prince was rather lackluster. She plowed through each line as if she was ignoring what the characters around her were saying (after all, acting is REacting). She missed oh so many opportunities to land jokes-I saw Sally Struthers play the part last year; and 100% honest, her performance was leagues above Princes. Prince was/is in terrific voice though.

If you've yet to see this show and you're still considering, skip it. Save your time and money.

PS. If you must see the show, I sat in the extreme side front box of the balcony; the seat was pretty great, and only cost me $39 bucks. I highly recommend sitting here if you ever visit the Palace again soon.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 8/8/13 at 11:36pm

Wow. That beginning told me everything. Who was on as Annie?

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 8/9/13 at 4:57am

I'm seeing it for the first time next Friday afternoon. I'm looking forward to the orchestra more than anything.

[matineeidol2591]

Posted: 8/9/13 at 7:18am

Taylor Richardson was on as Annie; she does the evening shows and Sadie Sink does the matinees.

Taylor was adequate; I really wish I could have seen Lilla Crawford before she left.

[Patash]

Posted: 8/9/13 at 8:12am

"Alice Ghostley reminded me of Paul Lynde".
Oh thanks, now I can't get the idea of Paul Lynde playing Hannigan out of mind!

>>>>>
"Another role with the same problem for me - Winifred in Once Upon A Mattress; I never saw Burnett live, but I've seen the two TV versions, and she's hilarious. I've never seen anyone else be remotely as funny in the part."

Ah, you missed the great Marcia Lewis in the role! At the time she was her heaviest (OK, I'll say it -- she was a real butterball!). Her climb up the ladder to the top of the bed was a complete showstopper! They played her fatness as one of the main reasons she just couldn't be a princess, but her impish face, strong voice, and perfect comic timing makes her Winnifred one of the most exciting musical performances I've ever seen!

[darreyl102]

Posted: 8/9/13 at 8:57am

@ Patash, The visual I got of Marcia climbing the ladder from your post! TOOO FUNNY!!

[cglaid]

Posted: 8/9/13 at 11:13am

Shame that Brynn is leaving, even if only temporarily. I thought she was the major bright spot in the production.
Updated On: 7/3/14 at 11:13 AM

[morosco]

Posted: 8/9/13 at 11:31am

Marcia Lewis was very funny Miss Hannigan.

[Dr. Kitchell]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 4:42pm

Marcia Lewis was brilliant in the show!
I remember there was a great bit. When Grace comes to inquire about an orphan, Hannigan is hiding Annie behind her. Annie (played then by Allison Smith) reached around with both hands and grabbed Hannigan's belly. It got quite a laugh.

Harve Presnell was in the show at that time and he was marvelous. Handsome and sang like a dream.