Bert Newton, Michael Cormick to Join Australia's ANNIE in Perth

According to The West Australian, Bert Newton will join the cast of Annie in Perth on July 24, replacing Alan Jones as President Roosevelt. Jones leaves the production to broadcast the 2012 Olympics from London.

Read the original report here.

In addition, Michael Cormick will jump into the role of Daddy Warbucks on Aug. 7 to replace Anthony Warlow, who is set to play the same role in Broadway's production of Annie, which opens Nov. 8 at the Palace Theatre. Australia's Annie opens at Perth's Burswood Theatre on Aug. 24.

Newton played the Wizard of Oz in last year's production of Wicked. He has also played Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, Franz Liebkind in The Producers and Max in the Sound of Music. Newton, a well-known TV personality, has hosted In Melbourne Tonight, Good Morning Australia, 20 to 1, the Logie Awards, and more. His film credits include Doctors & Nurses, Fatty Finn, The Wannabes and Remembering Nigel.

Among Michael Cormick's many stage roles include parts in the West End productions Calamity Jane (2003) and The Woman in White (2004).

Annie the Musical opened at the Lyric Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) on Thursday 12 April, starring Anthony Warlow, Nancye Hayes, Todd McKenney, Chloe Dallimore, Julie Goodwin and Alan Jones as President Roosevelt along with 24 local children.

Based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip, “Little Orphan Annie”, the musical Annie burst into popularity in 1977, when it opened on Broadway. After running there for nearly six years, it has played in over 22 countries worldwide including the UK, Argentina, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Australia. Annie became a smash-hit movie musical in 1982 starring Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney and Carol Burnett. The movie is adored worldwide and a fixture of popular culture references.