Review Roundup: ANNIE at Paper Mill Playhouse
By: Alan Henry Nov. 27, 2017
It's the hard-knock life! Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on "Little Orphan Annie," with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver.
The principal cast features Paper Mill Playhouse favorite Tony Award winner Beth Leavel as the irascible Miss Hannigan and Tony Award nominee Christopher Sieber as Oliver Warbucks, Erin Mackey as Grace Farrell, Cooper Grodin as Rooster Hannigan, Kim Savaas Lily St. Regis, Kevin Pariseau as Franklin D. Roosevelt, and alternating in the role of Annie are Peyton Ella and Cassidy Pry.
Annie, the world's best-loved family musical returns to Paper Mill Playhouse just in time for the holidays. Little Orphan Annie is taken from her orphanage, and the clutches of cruel Miss Hannigan, to stay at billionaire Oliver Warbucks' mansion for the holidays. When Annie wins the hearts of Warbucks and his staff, they set out on an epic mission to find Annie's parents. Winner of the Best Musical Tony Award, Annie includes such unforgettable songs as "It's the Hard-Knock Life," "Easy Street," "A New Deal for Christmas," plus the eternal anthem of optimism, "Tomorrow."
Let's see what the critics have to say!
Marina Kennedy, BroadwayWorld: This is the finest production of Annie you could ever hope to see. Invite your friends and bring the whole family to enjoy the show that has pleased musical theatre lovers for generations...Audiences will be absolutely wowed by the cast of Annie. It is the ideal company to bring the spirit of the holiday classic to life with its heartfelt story and beloved musical numbers...We saw the opening night production with Cassidy Pry who perfectly captured the role of Annie.
Liz Keill, TapInto.net: But the orphans are really at the heart of this musical, especially fourth grader Tessa Noelle Frascogna, who does back walkovers and never misses a beat with all the song and dance numbers. "It's the Hard Knock Life" as them all singing about their dreary existence. Gabby Beredo, Michelle Henderson, Eve Johnson, Lauren Sun, Sloan Wolfe and Tessa Noelle Frascogna give it their all as the bane of Miss Hannigan's existence.
Jonathan Spira, Frequent Business Traveler: Resplendent in sets by Beowulf Boritt that give the show an entirely new look with wonderful period costumes by Susan Benzinger, this "Annie" is filled with buoyant performances and dated if not optimistic whimsy. Erin Mackey is a standout as Warbuck's secretary and a few small but meaningful deviations from what past "Annie's" have done make this one particularly refreshing.
Adam Cohen, Theater Pizzaz: The adults fare best in this production. Sieber makes for an affably gruff billionaire hinting strongly at the emotional solitude of the inordinately wealthy, yet warming to Annie through a walk through New York City and explaining his own parentless upbringing. As always, he sings beautifully, especially his act two solo "Something Was Missing." Erin Mackey's Grace is gorgeous and charming.
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