What was wrong with the new Annie Revival??

In February, I saw the new Annie revival. I absolutely loved it... I liked it so much I went to go see it again a couple weeks ago for the 2nd time. I've seen people bad mouthing it on this site and am wondering why. The only problem I had with this show was the lack of choreography with the orphans but thats pretty much it... WHAT WAS SO BAD ABOUT IT?

just two words: James Lapine.

^ you both do. Personally, having not been able to see it, I know my problem was Annie having an accent. Why?

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It wasn't as good as the original production I never saw and can never see again.

So, Bway Guy, you chastise the board for trashing everything, then two posts later you trash it -- and with no specifics. Yes, the problem is "the board".

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Cue goldenboy calling this production an abortion in 3-2-1.

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Dramamama: No offense or anything but I can't take anything you say seriously anymore after your Lea Michele confession. The credibility you SORTA had went completely down the toilet.

Anyway Back on topic: Annie fell into the trap of what most revivals fall into.. It didn't have a new take on the piece. It was just..ANNIE. Nothing was added from another angle and nothing was inspired that warranted a Revival. Just like the phantom movie and the Into the woods revival.

Headband enters from stage left in 3..2..

Updated On: 6/22/13 at 07:01 PM

*your

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Hmmm...maybe. I didn't hate Annie..I just didn't love it.

But in a way, it did have a new take ^^ - just not a good one. They decided to make it grittier and more Noo Yawk - but the accents were more annoying than effective.

They decided to eliminate the "famous, well known" choreography and create new stuff - which for the most part was dull and disappointing. I thought the orphans were charming - but I don't think the choreography did them any favors. I personally hated that little Emily Rosenfeld was running around in "Ms. Hannigan's huge bra" (which was obviously not even accurate, since Katie wasn't even slightly the same size as the garment). I mean kids are sexualized enough today - why couldn't they just leave the kids with some amazing dancing and acting instead of a stupid gimmick?

I liked the new set - the storybook turning the page was pretty effective. But I really missed the gorgeous Christmas tree instead of new electric one. Some sets worked better than others. But you can tell that the set was not as "rich" as the original one, which is pretty common in revivals - everything seems to be put together to save money.

Lily was awful - not the performance, the direction..... Katie was just not my vision of Ms. Hannigan...I thought Grace was pretty blah (but I have to say I liked her so much better when I saw it again 6 months after the first time)...a lot of it felt a little empty.

That said, Anthony Warlow was probably the best Daddy Warbucks I have ever seen, Lilla was probably the closet Annie to Andrea McArdle - not a cute little cookie-cutter Annie but one with substance...and definitely talented. The relationship Lilla and Anthony developed on stage was fabulous. Oh and the orchestra was amazing. The music sounded GREAT. I have musician family and friends - so that element is always important to me.

Anthony, Lilla and the music were worth the price of my admission. I have seen Annie more than once in spite of its faults...and I probably will go again when Jane leaves to see Faith.

Updated On: 6/22/13 at 07:33 PM

I would GLADLY call you crazy. Ya crazy. Ya all sorts of crazy.

"Dramamama: No offense or anything but I can't take anything you say seriously anymore after your Lea Michele confession. The credibility you SORTA had went completely down the toilet."


You once had to "take a couple hours off here cause [you] just have a headache from worrying about the sanctity of ITW."

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You mean, you're going to continue posting here after a troll questioned your credibility?

You're a brave woman.