New Annie Revival Opens Fall 2011

[1daymore]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 12:20am

www.anniethemusical.com

There will be a casting call on June 12 so if you know any little girls who can sing and act really well here's there chance to become Annie or one of the orphans: http://www.playbill.com/playblog/2011/05/little-girl-little-girls-you-can-be-the-next-annie-on-broadway/

The last time this classic musical was revived on Broadway it was a disaster- and despite the show's enduring popularity, it closed. I think this time around the show might have more success- a lot of the kids in the late 70s and early 80s that fell in love with the show now have kids of their own and so that generation might take their kids to see it. Also, since "Annie" is set in the Depression, perhaps it will resonate better now, in the Great Recession, than it did with the late 90s audience.

I would love to see Megan Mullally (with a little bit of Karen Walker) as Miss Hannigan. She's a brilliant comedienne, an established Broadway actress, and has eight years of experience playing a mean, boozy bitch who hates children!

[grandpianoalex]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 12:31am

Fall 2012**** According to the article.

[jbm2]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 12:36am

would love to see Megan Mullally.
I know Rosie O Donnell has been very interested in that part as well.... she would be fantastic

[wicked1492]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 12:37am

Disgusting.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 12:40am

Although I wish the show success, am I the only one with a really bad feeling about this?

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 12:53am

I think that if they do it, it should be in a smaller theatre like the Jacobs, or Schoenfeld. I think it would be too much in a place like the St. James, or the Broadway.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 1:10am

Was the Wanda Sykes thing just people saying she should do it or did she say she wanted to?

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 1:12am

Wanda just played the role in Pennsylvania.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 1:36am

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 1:45am

Megan Mullally (with a little bit of Karen Walker)


Oh my Christ. No.

[N2Theater]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 1:38pm

I think Lapine is the wrong director for Annie.

[Amneris]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 1:54pm

I'd love to see Beth Level as Miss Hannigan... The Drowsy Chaperone being verbally abusive would be a nice evening in the theater. It may even get me to sit through that show again.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 2:15pm

I would have a big problem seeing this if my OWN kid were playing Annie.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 2:24pm

The negative comments on this thread are the legacy of the two bad movies, the bad national tours, the bad 20th Anniversary revival and countless inept community theatre productions. But that original Broadway production was sharp, smart, tuneful, beautifully designed and performed. I remember seeing it about a year into its run with an audience that went out of its mind with delight. I do suspect that its producer, Mike Nichols, had a little something more to do with that production than credited, as that production hasn't been equaled. If the new production returns the show to a semblance of what was originally written, it may just surprise all of the naysayers around these parts.

[Amneris]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 2:38pm

they need to learn from their mistakes of the last revival.

no miss hannigan that is really nasty backstage to kids and no competition for children auditions. That could ruin them for life.

Updated On: 5/7/11 at 02:38 PM

[theaternut]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 2:51pm

Wanda Sykes discussed her stint as Miss Hannigan a few months ago on the Tonight Show. She was hysterical. especially when talking about the dog. It used to be up on the NBC website but now I can't find it. Maybe one of you could find it and post it.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 2:51pm

#3 - Cast an Annie who doesn't come across like a windup toy but can also SING. And I don't mean just stay on key and hit the notes. That will be a huge challenge.

[theaternut]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 2:54pm

Found the clip. Very funny. About 1:20 into it. Somewhat edited. When she talks about the dog she was referring to the "Tomorrow" number.

Wanda on Annie Updated On: 5/7/11 at 02:54 PM

[JillianSch]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 3:12pm

Just curious @Amneris-- Who are you referring too with the comment about a Hannigan abusing the kids backstage?
And dear god i pray rosie has NOTHING to do with this. loathe that woman Updated On: 5/7/11 at 03:12 PM

[Amneris]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 3:31pm

There were a few small stories about verbal stuff said by a late miss hannigan. do not know how true it is but, things were said by a stage mom. Not that it matters now. It is highly doubtful Wanda Sykes or Andrea M. would ever do that if their picked. I do think it is important though for people behind the scenes to learn how to approach a child about growing and their weight. After watching "Life After Tomorrow", it seems like those ladies are all screwed up from stuff they dealt with on Broadway and Tour.
Updated On: 5/7/11 at 03:31 PM

[theaternut]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 3:43pm

Dorothy. Nell Carter , Marcia Lewis and Alice Ghostley are the only dead ones. No? Sounds like crap to me.

Updated On: 5/7/11 at 03:43 PM

[Amneris]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 4:51pm

what probably went down was a child not getting enough attention and a S-mom getting pissed about it.

[NeoNormal]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 5:06pm

I hope they use Andrea as Miss Hannigan! Please please please!!

[zamedy]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 5:07pm

Of course the legendary Dorothy Loudon is also no longer with us. Hopefully you're not referring to her. I had read that she didn't exactly love children.. but never heard (or would believe) that she ever would have been verbally abusive to them. Andrea McArdle has glowing memories of working with and learning from Ms. Loudon. She would give the kids a hard time at times (banging on the floor in her dressing room telling them to quiet down) but it was all in good fun.

In my opinion.. her performance of the role she created on stage will never be matched. All you have to do is watch clips of her performing "Easy Street" at the '77 Tony Awards or listen to any recordings from the show's original run to see her brilliance at work. She was truly remarkable in that role.. and earned every ounce of that Tony.
Updated On: 5/7/11 at 05:07 PM

[Amneris]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 5:19pm

If you guys do watch Life After Tomorrow, Kathy Raicht who played Annie? Even said Miss Hannigan would really hit her with the paddle. Where was actors equity then?