Breaking News: It's the Hard Knock Life - ANNIE to Close on Broadway January 5, 2014

The producers of ANNIE announced this evening that the show will play its final performance on Broadway on Sunday, January 5, 2014. Upon closing, the production, which opened on November 8, 2012 at the Palace Theatre (Broadway at 47th Street), will have played 487 performances and 38 previews.

ANNIE features a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, with all three authors receiving 1977 Tony Awards for their work. ANNIE is directed by Pulitzer Prize and three-time Tony Award-winner James Lapine and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Andy Blankenbuehler.

The production will launch a US National Tour in the 2014-2015 season.

ANNIE stars Tony Award-winner Faith Prince as Miss Hannigan, Anthony Warlow as Daddy Warbucks, and 11-year-olds Taylor Richardson and Sadie Sink as Annie, with each girl also playing the orphan role of Duffy when not on as Annie. The cast also includes Jenni Barber as Grace Farrell, Clarke Thorell as Rooster Hannigan, and J. Elaine Marcos as Lily St. Regis. The Orphans are Amaya Braganza as July, Gaby Bradbury as Pepper, Tyrah Skye Odoms as Tessie, Emily Rosenfeld as Molly, Brooklyn Shuck as Kate, and Skye Alyssa Friedman as standby for the roles of Duffy, Pepper, July and Tessie. The production also features Jane Blass, Mary Callanan, Jeremy Davis, Merwin Foard, Joel Hatch, Tessa Grady, Danette Holden, Fred Inkley, Amanda Lea LaVergne, Gavin Lodge, Alexandra Matteo, Keven Quillon, David Rossetti, Sarah Solie, Ryan VanDenBoom and Matt Wall.

The original production of ANNIE opened April 21, 1977 at the Alvin Theatre and went on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Cast Show Album and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin). The show was one of the biggest Broadway musical hits of the 1970s, running for almost six years and playing 2,377 performances.

The score for ANNIE includes "Maybe," "It's the Hard Knock Life," "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile," "Easy Street," "I Don't Need Anything But You" and the eternal anthem of optimism, "Tomorrow".

The creative team includes scenic design by Drama Desk Award-winner David Korins, costume design by Tony Award-winner Susan Hilferty, lighting design by two-time Tony Award-winner Donald Holder and sound design by Tony Award-winner Brian Ronan. Projection design is by Wendall K. Harrington. Music director is Todd Ellison. Orchestrations are by Michael Starobin. Dance music arrangements are by Alex Lacamoire. Musical coordinator is Patrick Vaccariello. Hair and wig design is by Tom Watson. Casting is by Telsey + Company. Animal training is by William Berloni.

The digital recording of the New 2012 Broadway Cast Recording for ANNIE is available for download at iTunes, Amazon.com, and other digital websites, and can be purchased at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway at 47th Street) and national retail outlets. The New 2012 Broadway Cast Recording for ANNIE is produced by Shout! Broadway comprised of 12-time Grammy Award winner Thomas Z. Shepard, Douglas Denoff and Dennis J. Grimaldi

ANNIE is produced on Broadway by Arielle Tepper Madover, Roger Horchow, Sally Horchow, Roger Berlind, Roy Furman, Debbie Bisno, Stacey Mindich, James M. Nederlander, Jane Bergère/Daryl Roth and Eva Price/Christina Papagjika.