I have a long history with this show so I have some strong feelings. But Lapine at the helm, along with some of the strong casting choices (Warlow, Finnernan), makes me a little less anxious. Hopefully the creative team doesn't make the mistake that basically every other production of Annie in every theater in the world has made -to play this show like a cartoon. It is not a cartoon.It is a real story about real people. You'll know within the first 10 minutes of the show whether it will be a success or not. "Maybe", a heart crushing ballad (and arguably the best song in the show)sung by poor orphan, should set the tone for the evening. If you let Hannigan come in and be a boozy comedienne/villain, instead of a real woman battling with real demons and taking it out on her wards, then the show will slide into something it isn't. That opening scene is so crucial. In terms of the other characters-One of the best things I ever heard Martin Charnin say in rehearsal was that he hates it when people say that Rooster is slick and slimy like a snake. He said that Peter choreographed him to cluck and strut like a cock, because he was a cocky guy(hence the name). According to Martin "Rooster is poultry".It might seem like a minor distinction but it is an important one. Remember-It's a 2 hour and 45 minute show. Cartoons can't sustain that kind of running time, which is why we all roll our eyes when we think of another Annie revival. If things are character based (like I noted above), then we should have a very full evening of theater.
She's brilliant, I love her and she won a Tony for the role.. but does anyone who saw Dorothy Loudon as Hanningan think she played it too much like a cartoon at times?
yes, but it might be because I only have seen clips of her from very late in her run. It's a hard part to keep contained though. It's so easy to turn the show into HANNIE instead of ANNIE. I actually liked Kathy Bates' interpretation the best. She was genuinely scary.
If you let Hannigan come in and be a boozy comedienne/villain, instead of a real woman battling with real demons and taking it out on her wards, then the show will slide into something it isn't.
I strongly disagree with this. Hannigan I think she needs to be somewhere in between. It's a really hard role to pull off. Takes just the right balance. Burnett was all hack...and Bates was never funny. Loudon and Ghostly especially were sublime. Just my opinion. I think that Hannigan is the key to what makes or breaks the show.
And in regards to Lapine directing I think we shouldn't assume that he'll make it work. His original WOODS was wonderful but his revival was a disappointment.
Louden was a comic genius waiting for this role. She, the writers and director found a way to exploit her "over the topness", she walked the line between too large and drunken pathos. Not many can do that successfully. I think Finneran could play this role in her sleep. She has played similar and variations of this character before. It will be interesting to see if she can pull it off, it's not a given as most on this board think. The casting is for sure intriquing, fresh blood.
Obviously people do worry about these things, hence, they started a thread on a discussion boards to discuss them with other like minded people. Really.
I am very excited about this revival.(obviously as shown by my screen name.) I saw the original many times; and Dorothy Loudon changed her portrayal from when she originated the role, to later in the run. I agree the tone will be set early and hopefully any "cartoonish" aspects will be squashed. Annie has a great score and is overlooked by many for the heart it truly can convey. High Hopes for this one!! Love the casting choices so far!!
you are going to be very happy when you see this production. The vision of the show is beautiful. Its NOT a cartoon. Its a true depiction of the depression, starring one optimistic little red headed girl.
Hannigan's comedy will be coming from the reality of the situation, not the shticky, evil, bad guy bs.
The show will be heartfelt and touching, and bring a whole new understanding and appreciation to "The New Deal" they are getting for christmas...
Having seen the original production, but with Harve Presnell, on a New Year's Eve, I have to say I was underwhelmed. The theatre was filled with kids who talked constantly when the musical numbers were over. This upcoming production looks like it is being cast very carefully, and its fans are going on about it so. I shall have to give it another look. I particularly respect Smaxie who feels very positive about ANNIE as a show.
hey guys....it's ANNIE...not THREE SISTERS. that being said i can't think of a MORE cartoonish insight on how to play 'rooster' than to play him like a chicken. whatta joke. personally i'll wait for the willow smith version scored by Jay-Z.
While comedy should be rooted in reality (or the reality of the world onstage), Annie is not some Chekhovian piece about the Depression. It is a fairly light piece of musical theatre. It's not the struggles of real people in the face of recession. It never was.
While honesty is required to make the show work, it is not a real story about real people. Take the reality too far and it's not Annie. Miss Hannigan is not an O'Neill character. I agree the show should not be cartoonish. It should have humanity, but not as a result of mining for characterizations that aren't there. Ad certainly not at the expense of forgetting its source, which is an American institution.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I think Annie is a very worn out musical at this point. I think a revival could work, however, if they totally re imagine it and make it better for modern audiences.
lightguy: I appreciate your enthsiasm but, Since it hasn't even started rehearsals, no one knows what it's gonna be like. Things on paper always look great, translating it is a whole different story.
I agree that it has to be broad with humanity, but it is after all a rather light show. No one wants to sit through another realistic depression.
Loudon didn't play Hannigan like a cartoon character - she played her like an old time Musical Comedy star. With comic timing, respect for the audience, skill at landing a joke and brilliant physical schtick.
Kad and BroadwayHunk- Yes of course it's based on a cartoon, but you have to admit that there is a huge difference between the writing and situations in Annie and shows like L'il Abner or You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. The reason that 95% of the theater community rolled their eyes when they first heard of this revival was because we all had sat through (or worked on) productions of Annie that kept it very much based in the cartoon world. (some directors go so far as to cut Hooverville from the show!) There is weight to the show-and yes I admit it's not Chekhovian-that gives it a certain gravity if played right. Yes there's the happy ending, and yes there is the overall optimistic message that might seem dated, but those theatrical conventions always work better when the show is grounded in the reality of its time period. If we just get a "louder, faster, funnier" version what's the point? And say what you will about Martin Charnin (and give me a drink or 2 and I will join in and add some doozies)) but Strouse and Meehan (and to some extent Nichols) know how to put a show together.
Finnernan is stated in interviews about Marge MacDougall that she was very method in her acting...not that she got drunk every show, but she wanted to make it seem real down to her "Hoooing" which explains why it wasn't just the typical who, rather it was one that she thought made a lot more sense since the character at least in her mind was a owl aficionado. With hat stated I think Finnernan is going to completely disregard all of the prior performances and research her but off..and play a mean old hag with a drug problem...so more Bates than Burnett..but unlike Bates Finnernan is a queen of comic timing so i think that it will work perfectly.
Bea Arthur Nude Sells For Nearly $2 Million At Auction
Drama Desk Award Winners - MATILDA, VANYA AND SONIA, PIPPIN, VIRGINIA WOOLF & More!
John Bantay Talks to Richard Jay-Alexander About Musical Mondays Farewell
STAGE TUBE: Join Them! Watch the PIPPIN Cast on Letterman!
CHUCK Star Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez Set to Lead FIRST DATE
Photo Flash: First Look - Kelly Rowland & Paulina Rubio on THE X FACTOR!
Photo Flash: New Poster for THE BLING RING Released
Gwyneth Paltrow Returns as the Face of Hugo Boss' Latest Scent
VAMPIRE WEEKEND Tops Chart with Second No. 1 Album
EA Announces Battlefield 4 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4
BWW Blog: Leah Edwards - Practice. Perform. Repeat
BWW Reviews: Pauline Koner, American Original
VIDEO: Must Watch - Mel Brooks AMERICAN MASTERS on PBS May 20!
joined:3/25/07
Posted: 6/8/12 at 08:18pm