Photo Flash: First Look at Lauren Weintraub and Jacquelyn Piro Donovan in NSMT's ANNIE

ANNIE, one of the best-loved family musicals of all time, takes center stage at North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) now through Sunday, July 29. Press night is tonight, July 18 at 7:30pm. Get a first look at Lauren Weintraub as Annie and Jacquelyn Piro Donovan as Miss Hannigan and more in the photos below!

Inspired by the famous comic strip Little Orphan Annie which first ran in the New York News in 1924, ANNIE made its Broadway debut in April 1977 and played 2,377 performances before closing in 1983. The show won seven Tony Awards, including for Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan), Best Original Score (music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin), and Best Choreography. This heart-warming musical is the rags-to-riches story of plucky young Annie’s journey from the hard-knock New York orphanage to the luxurious home of billionaire businessman Oliver WarbuckS. Boasting one of Broadway’s most memorable scores, including “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street” and the legendary “Tomorrow,” fantastically visual choreography, a side-splittingly funny script and, of course, the adorable dog Sandy, it really is no surprise that ANNIE has become one of the best-loved family musicals of all time.

ANNIE stars 13-year-old Sudbury resident Lauren Weintraub. Lauren was selected from more than 400 girls who auditioned for parts in North Shore Music Theatre’s production. The evil Miss Hannigan is played by Broadway veteran and Lynnfield native Jacquelyn Piro Donovan. Jacquelyn was just seen playing Dolly Levi in NSMT’s production of Hello Dolly!. The cast also features Raymond Jaramillo McLeod as Oliver Warbucks, Jessica Tyler Wright as Grace Farrell, John Schiappa as Rooster, Shanna Marie Palmer as Lily St Regis, Howard Pinhasik as F.D.R., and Mikey as Sandy.

Annie’s orphan friends are played by Piper Birney (age 8, of Wallingford, CT) as Kate, Maggie Budzyna (age 11, of Newburyport) as Tessie, Heather Buccini (age 9, of Withrop) as Pepper, Elena Carmichael (age 10, of Natick) as Molly, Jessica Lewis(age 11, of Needham) as Duffy, and JoAnna Rosen (age 15, of Marblehead) as July.

The ANNIE ensemble features Paul Aguirre, Desiree Davar, Patrick David , Rachel Fairbanks, Adam Lendermon, Cheryl McMahon, JP Qualters, Sara Michelle Reardon, Roger Preston Smith, and Sean Watkins.

ANNIE is directed by James Brennan, choreographed by Patti Colombo, and musical direction will be provided by Nick DeGregorio. The creative team also includes Timothy R. Mackabee (Scenic Designer), Paula Peasley-Ninestein (Costume Coordinator), Jack Mehler (Lighting Designer), Charles Coes (Sound Designer), Gerard Kelly (Wig and Hair Designer), William Berloni (Animal Trainer), John Godbout (Production Stage Manager), Natalie A. Lynch (Assistant Stage Manager), and Colin R. Freeman (Assistant Music Director), Karen Maria Pisani (Children’s Local Choreographer), Cassandra Marsh (Children’s Local Music Director). ANNIE is produced for North Shore Music Theatre by Bill Hanney (Owner/Producer), Arianna Knapp (Artistic Director), and Beth Vasta (Associate Producer).

Meet the Theatre: post-show audience discussion with the artists on July 24 after the 7:30 pm performance and July 28 after the 2 pm performance; OUT at the North Shore, an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post-show reception (sponsored in part by Ryan & Wood Inc. Distilleries and Sparkling Soirées) on July 26 after the 7:30 pm performance.

For tickets, scheduling and further information, visit www.nsmt.org.

Photo credit: Paul Lyden

Lauren Weintraub (Annie) and Elena Carmichael (Molly)

Lauren Weintraub (Annie) and Mikey (Sandy)

Lauren Weintraub (Annie) and the Orphans

Lauren Weintraub (Annie) and Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Miss Hannigan)

Raymond Jaramillo McLeod (Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks) Lauren Weintraub (Annie)

Lauren Weintraub (Annie) and Company

Jessica Tyler Wright (Grace Farrell) and Lauren Weintraub (Annie)

Elena Carmichael (Molly)

The Cast of NSMT's ANNIE