ANNIE: A Question

[LimelightMike]

Hello, all!

So, I haven't been to the Palace in quite some time, and what with ANNIE playing there since autumn, I'm curious as to whether or not I should fork-over the cash, and (finally) see ANthony Warlow live -- and ANNIE, on Broadway -- finally.

Looking to go in April/May. What has the attendance been like for hte leads: Warlow, Finneran, et al? Pretty up to par? As a follow-up, as per the staging, is any seat "too close" for this show?

Any and all insight appreciated.

Many thanks.
- M

[jaxandmci]

I've seen it twice. Sat eve and all leads were on. Sun eve Warlow was out but everyone else was in. I sat third row center both times and the view was great. The Palace stage is quite high, however, so even though I am usually a front row guy, I'm glad I didn't sit any closer.

[wickedfan11]

I saw it just over a week ago on Friday night. The full cast was in. I sat in the fourt row and could see everything, but would have preferred to be back a few rows since the stage is so high.

[goldenboy]

I would not fork over money to see this lackluster production.
Bad choreography, Bad sets, A chorus that seems to be putting on costumes.
The wonderfully talented Katie Finneran is miscast
and the Annie seems right out of a prep school with very little vulnerability to her.
There is a problem when Bert Healy steals the show.
The Carol Burnett Versions is better and that is flawed.
The Kathy Bates Version is better and that is flawed.
See any production of Annie. just not this one.
No Anthony Warlow is not worth the price of admission.
He is good in the role but nothing one has to see.

Spend your money on Book Of Mormon, Nice Work, Drood, Wicked.
Almost anything but this. It is certain to disappoint unless you are under
15 and haven't seen much theatre. To be fair my 8 and 10 year old nieces loved it.

[GlindatheGood22]

I liked it, aside from the fact that everyone is doing very affected, distracting accents. I sat in the second row. The only thing I couldn't see was Sandy, but I could tell when he was on by the "awwwwws."

[TheGingerBreadMan]

I agree with Goldenboy - see something else. It's a bad production of a great show. I am a huge fan of both Finneran and Warlow, but even they cannot save this mess. I'd recommend BOOK OF MORMON, JERSEY BOYS, PHANTOM, or WICKED. Annie's wig even looks fake.

[lupone76]

I thought Finneran's performance was one of the most disasterous aspects of this production. I have never seen such an over acted, too exaggerated performance in my life. On top of that she can not sing at all. Warlow, however was a consummate Warbucks and Annie was just fine. The overall feel of the production was more regional than Broadway and the choreography was atrocious. I still enjoyed it since I love the score and it's one of my favorite musicals. Expected much more from James Lapine.

[GlindatheGood22]

Finneran has been directed to overplay it. She is certainly not the first exaggerated Hannigan.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

I didn't think that Finneran's performance was over-exaggerated at all. She was probably the best part of the show for me.