Photo Flash: First Look at Anthony Warlow, Nancye Hayes in Sydney Lyric Theatre's ANNIE

The ever-popular Broadway musical Annie is lighting up Sydney's Lyric Theatre in an exciting new production produced John Frost. Returning to the role of New York ‘zillionaire' Daddy Warbucks will be one of Australia's greatest theatrical talents, Anthony Warlow, fresh from his success in the title role of the World Premiere of Doctor Zhivago. Show business legend Nancye Hayes will play the tyrannical Miss Hannigan who runs the orphanage where Annie begins her journey. This is the third Australian production of Annie that Nancye has been involved with, having played Lily St Regis in the original production and been Resident Director for the second.

Joining Nancye as her scurrilous brother Rooster Hannigan is television and stage favourite Todd McKenney (The Boy From Oz, Dancing With the Stars). Playing Rooster's "lady friend" Lily St Regis and Warbucks' secretary Grace Farrell will be two leading ladies of musical theatre, Chloe Dallimore (The Producers) and Julie Goodwin (West Side Story) respectively. Making his musical theatre debut in the role of President (FDR) Roosevelt will be radio veteran Alan Jones.

Announcing his all-star cast, Producer John Frost said, "I'm often asked when Annie will return to the stage, and I'm thrilled that for this new production we have the A-list of Australian musical theatre talent - Anthony Warlow reprising one of his favourite roles, Nancye Hayes putting her mark on the role of the mean Miss Hannigan, and Todd McKenney, Chloe Dallimore and Julie Goodwin who are the cream of Australian talent. And I know Alan Jones will surprise everyone in his musical theatre debut. Our production team is top quality as well - director Karen Johnson-Mortimer, choreographer Kelly Aykers and musical director Peter Casey. You can bet your bottom dollar Annie will be a hit again in 2012!"

Based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip "Little Orphan Annie", the musical Annie burst
into popularity in 1977 when it opened on Broadway. After running there for nearly six years, it has played in over 22 countries worldwide including the UK, Argentina, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Australia. Annie became a smash-hit movie musical in 1982 starring Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney and Carol Burnett that is adored worldwide and a fixture of popular culture references.

Annie first toured Australia from 1978 with a cast that included Jill Perryman, Hayes Gordon, Kevin Johnson, Nancye Hayes and Anne Grigg. Annie returned to the Australia stage in 2000 produced by John Frost starring Anthony Warlow, Amanda Muggleton, Jane Scali, Philip Gould and Angela Kelly.
Annie is full of toe-tapping hits such as It's the Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile, NYC, Maybe and everyone's favourite song - Tomorrow. These wonderful songs have become staples of musical theatre repertoires worldwide and now, 34 years on, it remains one of the most loved and universally appealing musicals of all time.

For tickets, visit: http://anniethemusical.com.au

Photo Credit: Jeff Busby