Sarah Jessica Parker Joins Goodspeed in Celebrating ANNIE

On Saturday, Goodspeed Musical held a gala celebrating the 25th anniversary of ANNIE, and honoring its creators. Sarah Jessica Parker, who acted in the Broadway production, attended the event at the Goodpseed Opera House where ANNIE was developed in 1976.

At the gala Parker told TheDay.com, "I think for the hundreds of us who were part of the show, whether it was the first or second generation or one of the countless generations beyond, it was a really special time in our lives. ... I was so happy to be here to celebrate with the creative team."
Parker was almost 13 years old when she took over the lead role. "I remember everything," she said. "The details are very vivid. It was a wonderful, unique (experience). ... I remember particularly feeling very lucky because I knew there were lots of little girls all across the country that would love to be doing what I was doing."

Parker says she still remembers all the words and plays the music in the house for her two daughters and son. Her son saw the John Schuck production at Madison Square Garden and she eagerly awaits the next production in about a year and a half, when her daughters are the perfect age to go and see it.

"I think everyone should see a production of 'Annie' once in their lives. I'm not kidding. It's a perfect show," she said.

The gala honored director and lyricists Martin Charnin, composer Charles Strouse and book writer Thomas Meehan. Each received the Goodspeed Award for Oustanding Contribution to Musical Theatre.

Now, Meehan is a multi-Tony0-winner writer who credits include HAIRSPRAY and THE PRODUCERS.
The master of ceremonies was Conrad John Schuck, who made his Broadway debut playing Daddy Warbucks.

ANNIE ran for 2,377 performances on Broadway from 1977 to 1983, making it the 23rd longest-running show. It's scheduled to return to Broadway next year.

Charnin has some ideas as to why ANNIE was such a success.

"I certainly think it is because it's a rags-to-riches story, and we're all suckers for rags-to-riches stories. I think it also came at an opportune time in the history of the country," he said.

"We were really suffering. Vietnam was just over. Nixon was just over. The economy was lousy. Gas was, I don't know, higher than it had ever been before. There was a general cynicism that lived very close at hand," Charnin said.

"This is the musical that said, 'No, it's going to get better.' It was a touch of optimism. It was a tap on the shoulder to those cynics who said, 'Doom. Doom, doom, doom.'

" 'Annie' said, 'No, wait. Wait, wait. The sun will come out tomorrow. And there always is tomorrow.'"

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Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos

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