Review Roundup: ANNIE at the John W. Engeman Theatre - What Did The Critics Think?

ANNIE runs at the John W. Engeman Theatre December 31.

Leapin' Lizards! The irrepressible comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals. Based on the popular comic strip, ANNIE has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Featuring book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, ANNIE includes such unforgettable songs as It's the Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, New Deal For Christmas, and the eternal anthem of optimism, Tomorrow.

The cast stars Presley Ryan as Annie, Lynn Andrews as Miss Hannigan, George Dvorsky as Oliver Warbucks, Elizabeth Broadhurst as Grace Farrell, and Jon Peterson as Rooster.

ANNIE is directed and choreographed by Antoinette DiPietropolo, with set design by Christopher Swader and Justin Swader, lighting design by John Burkland, and costume design by Kurt Alger.

Let's see what the critics had to say!

Barbara Schuler, Newsday: Let's start with those orphans, an adorable bunch of little girls with big voices and major charisma. Annie is played by Broadway vet Presley Ryan ("Fun Home"), who wisely gives the famed cartoon character a bit of street smarts to go with her wistful yearning for a family... Stealing some of the spotlight is Lynn Andrews as Miss Hannigan, the bedraggled, beleaguered matron of the orphanage. She's a powerful belter, raising the roof in "Little Girls," and she knows how to shake what she's got as she flirts shamelessly with everyone from the laundry man, Bundles, to President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Melissa Giordano, BroadwayWorld: And the company runs through Ms. DiPietropolo's fun choreography with élan particularly the children with "Hard Knock Life". The entire production is visually stunning. And, of course, it is always thrilling to see a fantastic live orchestra headed up by talented Music Director Jonathan Brenner. And so Annie is certainly another hit for the John W. Engeman Theatre of Northport, Long Island. A stellar cast and a classic show make for a fun night of theatre.

Jeb Ladouceur, Smithtown Matters: This production is directed and choreographed by Engeman veteran Antoinette DiPietropolo (better choreographed than directed, it seems), and it features a sterling performance by George Dvorsky as 'Daddy' Warbucks. Someone once implied that it's theatrical suicide to compete with kids or dogs on stage. But in 'Annie' Dvorsky takes on both ... and holds his own quite well indeed... The kudos for Dvorsky aside, it should not be concluded that Presley Ryan in any way takes a back seat with her interpretation of Annie in the demanding title role. To the contrary, the young lady fills the bill of the perky little redhead convincingly and then some.

Photo: John W. Engeman Theatre

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