Annie Preview Thread

[bwayphreak234]

YES!!! So glad they fixed this! Is the film footage projected on the hanging clothes?

[SondheimFan5]

Are Warlow, Finneran, and Crawford above the title? Haven't seen any playbills or anything for this yet.

Back to the POST-OVERTURE show... Is the choreo looking better?

[theatreguy]

They are all below the title.

[suttonfoster]

does anyone know if they are planning on doing a cast recording with this cast?

[Bialyhoos22]

Glad to hear they're restructuring Easy Street. I think it was one of the true highlights of the original production. Bob Fitch and Dorothy Loudon sold the **** out of it - under their command and physical grace, it was a real unabashed vaudeville throwback. Peter Gennaro's rubbery-limbed choreography has never been bettered. IMHO, they should pay the estate the requisite royalty and reinstate it. It may seem a ridiculous comparison, but I do thing Gennaro's build of that number as indelible as Jerry Robbins Small House of Uncle Thomas in King in I. Obviously, apples and oranges in terms of style and content, but even productions of K&I that have new choreography use Robbins original because it simply works so well.

[CurtainPullDowner]

The footage plays over the Overture,
glad someone is reading my posts.
(Not that that was rocket science)

[mb87]

Can someone mention how Lila's wig is throughout the show? I was worried when I heard she would be wearing a wig [sans the Annie wig, of course.] Does it look really fake?

Are 'Herbert Hoover' 'Something was Missing' in this production? I remember seeing the 20th Ann. production, and they had cut both songs. It might just have been 'We'd Like to Thank You..."

Can someone elaborate more on this odd book/warbucks mansion set?

I'm extremely excited for all the praise Lila has received, especially in regards to her big voice. Is it similar to Andrea McArdle? Joanna Pacitti? The horrendous girl on the 30th recording? I am glad she is a belter.

Are the orchestrations rearranged in the way they are for Anthony Warlow's previous 'Annie' recording?

Thanks for whoever answers.

[Calvin]

Both Hoover and Something was Missing are in.

[LizzieCurry]

Lilla's wig for most of the show is a very natural-looking darkish red, curly, and about shoulder length. It's just neater in the finale.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Lilla's wig throughout most of the show pretty much looks like her natural hair (very tight curls), just a dark red. The end wig is slightly shorter and the curls are neater but they're both very natural looking...I was in the front row and they looked great from there.

[bwayphreak234]

I still don't understand the whole turning pages in a book thing for Warbucks's mansion... can anyone elaborate?

[LizzieCurry]

Basically it's set up like the spine is center stage -- and way upstage. There are gold hinges. Each page has a middle section cut out of it so Annie and Grace Farrell can walk through it when the pages are turned by members of Warbucks' staff.

As in, one spread is the kitchen, one is a living room, one is, I dunno, Annie's bedroom or something. And they just push each page from stage right to stage left.

[Bialyhoos22]

Was scrolling through the NYPL Digital archives and came across these great candids from the first national tour with Gary Beach in 1978. Here they are in Toronto working with Peter Gennaro on Easy Street... Here's hoping the retooling of the number in this revival can live up to this brilliance!

[bwayphreak234]

Has Katie Finneran gotten any better?

[TheatreKid3]

LOL to the poster who called ANNIE a "work of art"...

I mean no disrespect, but really? A work of art? It may be a classic but it is far from a great show. And to the poster above that one, I'd take NEWSIES over ANNIE any day.

[Playbilly]

About overtures: OK, if you are going to be bored by an overture --at the start of the show -- then you need to stay the hell home and watch CSI.

[Vermont]

Kate finneran is great. Not sure about all the opposition. She has a very difficult role playing the drunk overbearing miss hannigan while also not coming across too cruel and one dimensional. I thoroughly enjoyed her from start to finish.

About the overture, keep it leave it, it's just not a big deal. I absolutely do not understand what the fuss is. It's a great play regardless.

[best12bars]

Part of the issue with a "Miss Hannigan"-type character is that what was funny 35 years ago with "hilarious addicts" isn't viewed the same way today.

Remember "Arthur" from 1981? Charming story about a rip-roaring alcoholic's escapades. So many laughs. Dudley Moore was Oscar-nominated for his performance.

Watching it now makes me cringe. I have a nostalgic feeling for it, but I wince at all the "highball humor" and the way everyone in the story thinks he's so "lovable" (except the butler).

There is a different sensibility today. A different assessment of substance abusers, and a different view of just how "funny" they are. Especially alcoholics who are raising a bunch of "little girls." A real knee-slapper.

Best thing for Kate would be to kill the booze completely. Cut it. Make her nutty and a big loser ... not a full-blown boozer struggling in a different world to get those same antiquated laughs.

[jaxel614]

Just got back from the show tonight. Taylor Richardson was on as Annie. I believe it was her first time in the role. She was incredible. Great actress and phenomenal voice. Really a remarkable performance.

Thought the show was fantastic. Loved Finneran, Warlow, O'Malley, and the rest of the orphans. One of the most enjoyable shows running!

Hope to get back after it opens. It can only get even better as time goes on!

[jaxel614]

delete

[somethingwicked]

Not quite sure why, but Lilla Crawford was apparently out of the show today. Jaidyn Young went on as Annie in her place.

[LizzieCurry]

Lilla sounded a bit froggy in Act 1 on Friday night, but was fine in Act 2. Maybe they're just giving her a little recovery time off?

[faith587]

Lilla was out for both shows today because her voice was feeling tired (overheard from one of the moms at the stagedoor after the matinee today). Taylor Richardson was Annie for both performances, with Jaidyn Young on as Duffy. Taylor was phenomenal in the title role. I actually didn't realize she wasn't Lilla until right before the "Tomorrow" scene, when I snuck a look inside my playbill and an understudy slip fell out. Jaidyn did an excellent job in her Broadway debut, and I look forward to hopefully seeing her go on as Annie one day.

The show has gone through a LOT of changes since the first preview (which I was at), and in my opinion, they've all been positive changes.

Brynn O'Malley's portrayal is less strict than before, and she no longer wears the round wire glasses. Her costumes have also gone from drab colors to jewel tones (I can't think of a better description, sorry!). Annie still wears her orphan sweater over her nice dresses at the mansion, which I might never get used to, but I can deal with it. J Elaine Marcos is playing Lily as a slightly less stereotypical Asian, and I enjoyed Katie Finneran as Hannigan more this time around.

The sets have changed a bit, mostly the Christmas scene at Warbucks' mansion. I won't spoil that for anyone, though.

The choreography has undergone a LOT of changes, and I was very pleased with what I saw today. HKL has been completely re-blocked, Easy Street is more reminiscent of Peter Gennaro's original choreography. NYC is a BIG ensemble piece now, whereas I felt it was lacking something at the first preview. New Deal is another big number still, with every in tap shoes, and the choreography seemed more put together this time around.

All in all, a VERY enjoyable show. It's not perfect (what show is, really?), but I think if they keep what they have now, with a few VERY minor adjustments, it will be one of the best shows to open this season.

[My Oh My]

I am amazed at the comments about losing the overture being A NEGLIGIBLE THING and a sign of the times. I wouldn't argue much against the latter, but just because you don't enjoy music in musicals unless there is singing applied over it, that doesn't make it a take it or leave it thing to many of us. Minimizing the importance of experiencing an overture live isn't a crime if it's personal, but when it is treated as broadly as you have, so as to condone its removal as a sign of the times, it's infuriating. The removal of an extended solo spot of one of the single most thrilling aspects of a live MUSICal: The live orchestra, is a thrill in itself. Hearing it play a beloved score is heaven to many. It's very sad that it doesn't stir such pleasure and joy in some people.

If you don't appreciate music in MUSICals enough to enjoy an overture, take out a book and read for 4 minutes, or something. I'd even say go ahead and talk your ass off if that's what you like to do during the live performance of the musicians below. Unless you're obnoxiously screaming in my ear in order to drown out the thrill I get from that tired relic that is the overture, my ears, mind, and emotions will be transfixed on every last bow, blow, and whistle emanating fresh, live, and alive from that pit, which might as well be a Karaoke machine to you.

[After Eight]

"Kate finneran is great."

I thought so, too.

"Not sure about all the opposition."

Can't figure that out either. Some people just need to have something to complain about, I guess. These know-it-all "connoisseurs." You just have to laugh them off.

I enjoyed the show, too.

[Vermont]

Annie was played by Taylor Richardson for both shows yesterday while Jaidyn played Duffy which is normally Taylor's role. Both shows went amazingly well especially in light that this was Taylor's first time as Annie and Jaidyns first time on stage.