Jenni Barber to Join ANNIE as 'Grace Farrell' on 8/20

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that Jenni Barber, who most recently starred in THE NANCE on Broadway will take on "Grace Farrell" in Annie beginning August 20. Brynn O'Malley, who currently plays the role, will temporarily depart to star in HONEYMOON IN VEGAS at Paper Mill Playouse. She will return to the production on November 5.

Barber's Broadway credits include: The Performers, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Off-Broadway: The Bridge Project: As You Like It and The Tempest directed by Sam Mendes (Brooklyn Academy Of Music/The Old Vic), From Up Here(Manhattan Theatre Company), Cactus Flower (Westside Arts Theatre), The Wii Plays (Ars Nova). Select regional world premieres: Some Lovers by Burt Bacharach and Steven Sater, Nobody Loves You by Itamar Moses and Gaby Alter (Old Globe); The Unauthorized Biography of Samantha Brown by Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk (Orange County Performing Arts Center). Film: Play. Television: "Elementary," "Smash," "Law & Order: SVU," "The Electric Company." Audiobooks: And Then Came You, The Dork Diaries (Simon & Schuster).

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 is playing at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway, between 46th and 47th Streets).

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.

Tickets for Annie are available through www.ticketmaster.com, by calling 877-250-2929, or in person at the Palace Theatre box office (1564 Broadway between 46th and 47thStreets).