BWW Reviews: McArdle Headlines MTW's Fun 'ANNIE' Revival

There's this old showbiz cliché that says one should never work with kids and/or animals. Well, either species probably never really scared producers from creating ANNIE, the much-beloved musical classic now in production for Musical Theatre West in Long Beach, California through November 14. Here, the kids steal every scene, and the dog... well, how can you not love a musical with a lovable (trained) dog? With famous populist origins and quite a hummable, familiar score, this long-standing musical's saccharine sweet portrayal of pre-Depression era New York City amps up the long-lost American idea of optimism. And, in a bit of inspired stunt casting, Andrea McArdle—who made her Tony-nominated debut in the original 1977 Broadway production as the title role—steps into the role of the wicked Ms. Hannigan for this production.

Based on the widely-read comic strip Little Orphan Annie by Harold Gray, this happy little musical tells the story of precocious 11-year old Annie (here played by the talented Melody Hollis), who resides at the Municipal Girls Orphanage run by child-hating Ms. Hannigan (McArdle). Annie tells her fellow "inmates" that she is hopeful that her parents—who dropped her off at the orphanage as a baby—will one day make good on their supposed promise to come back for her. But in the meantime, she and the girls suffer through a "hard-knock life" under the dictator-like commands of their tyrannical caretaker, Ms. Hannigan.

The year is 1933 and outside the orphanage walls, the citizenry is moaning about the economic strife degenerating their lives. In a briefly successful escape attempt (supposedly one of many), Annie finds herself in a make-shift shanty town its residents have dubbed "Hooverville" where she learns first-hand that people have ditched any hopes for recovery. But Annie, of course, as someone who always looks for the silver lining, decrys that "the sun will come out... Tomorrow" ... her cheerful anthem for hope and optimism. Alas, her short stint outside is short-lived after she is caught and returned back to the orphanage.

Luckily, her return is perfectly-timed, in only a chipper musical comedy can manufacture. Sent to the orphanage on a special errand, Grace Farrell (Shannon Warne) requests Ms. Hannigan for one of the orphan girls to stay with her employer, billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Jeff Austin), as a sort of philanthropic gesture for the holidays. Annie—serendipitously in Hannigan's office during the request—brilliantly convinces Ms. Farrell that she is just the red-headed moppet to fill that request.

Almost instantly after arriving at the Warbucks estate, Annie beguiles everyone around her... from the servants in the mansion, to the gruff Warbucks himself, and even the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt (Mark Capri) and his staff at the White House. Warbucks is so taken by Annie that he soon puts in motion to adopt Annie as his own daughter.

But, meanwhile, as Annie begins enjoying her new lifestyle with Warbucks, a sinister scheme unfolds back at the Orphanage. Hannigan's n'er-do-well brother Rooster (Michael Paternostro) and her grifter girlfriend Lily St. Regis (the always excellent Bets Malone) have hatched a plan to live on "Easy Street" by posing as Annie's long-lost parents. Will they successfully con their way into the Warbucks bank account with their fake identities, thereby slashing Annie's hopes once and for all? We'll give you one guess as to how things all turn out...

As a theatrical experience, ANNIE has always struck as a charming, adorable, inoffensive musical that's widely adored by many audiences. This family-friendly, up-with-hope musical will likely play well even to an audience of snarky, cynical 21st-Century Theatergoers. Even its slight delineations into political satire finds its tongue firmly ensconced in its cheek. While there isn't much groundbreaking work here—except perhaps the irresistible pop brilliance of its memorable Charles Strouse/Martin Charnin score—it really doesn't need to be for it to be a great, enjoyable musical treat. Only someone with a cold, dark, Grinch-sized heart would find even minor bits of the show unappealing.

This certainly explains why this property never seems to disappear from our pop culture consciousness: besides the upcoming Broadway revival slated for 2012, the property has already been made both into a film (in 1982 starring Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Ann Reinking, and Bernadette Peters) and a TV-movie (featuring Victor Garber, Kathy Bates, Audra McDonald, Alan Cumming and Kristin Chenoweth), not to mention the countless touring, school, regional, and community Theater Productions that always seem to pop up all over the world. Don't let these smaller, lesser-caliber productions sway you from seeing MTW's top-notch effort.

Here in particular, MTW's extravagant revival of ANNIE doesn't eschew much of its working strengths but rather highlights them, staying relatively faithful to its source material. Directed by showstopper-friendly Steven Glaudini (who also serves as MTW's resident Artistic Director), the show makes great use of the show's best assets... most especially, its cast of youngsters. From the touching opening ballad, the hard-charging "Hard-Knock Life," to the high-kicking "You're Never Fully Dressed (Without A Smile)," these kids really steal the show. As Annie, 12-year-old Hollis does a great job tickling our funny bones while simultaneously pulling our heartstrings. She delivers an excellent rendering of the title role, and does so with confident, powerful vocals. This show truly belongs to this little gal.

Paternostro and Malone prove to be quite the charming scoundrels, and as in her previous turns as a Wonderette, Malone is a treat to watch (and hear—her transformation from Lily to Annie's faux mom elicited the largest laughs during the show's opening night performance). As Ms. Farrell, Warne is exquisite. Austin's portrayal of Warbucks could have used a touch more "big-ness" to it, but otherwise, it's a fine performance. His scenes with Annie are just darling. As usual, MTW consistenly delivers rousing, impressive ensemble performances.

And, finally, as the marquee name in the production, Broadway vet McArdle does a great job with her take on Ms. Hannigan. While the significance of the casting isn't lost on the audience, her admirable attempt at the role is certainly appealing, if not a bit hesitant. She does, however, morph more confidently into a wonderfully wicked, deliciously mean house mother as the show progresses, particularly as she joins in with Malone and Paternostro on the rousing "Easy Street."

As with previous productions, MTW shows provide Broadway-caliber choreography, costumes, full musical accompaniments, sets and scenery, and ANNIE's is no exception. Overall, MTW's production of ANNIE retains its qualities as an enjoyable, old-fashioned, kid-friendly musical that's as crowd-pleasing as its title character's infectious optimism. And, lest we forget, it's got an adorable dog!

Watch BWW-TV's Behind-The-Scenes Look Inside MTW's ANNIE: Click Here.

Photos from MTW's production of ANNIE by Ken Jacques.
Top Photo: Melody Hollis (Annie), Andrea McArdle (Ms. Hannigan), & Mikey (Sandy).
Center Set, Top: Mark Capri (Pres. Roosevelt) & Hollis. Center Set, Middle: Bets Malone, McArdle, Michael Paternostro.
Center Set, Bottom: Jeff Austin & Hollis.

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Performances of ANNIE at Musical Theatre West continues through November 14.

Musical Theatre West's production of 'ANNIE' is directed by Steven Glaudini with musical direction by Daniel Thomas and choreography by Roger Castellano. ANNIE is written by Tony Award-winners, Thomas Meehan (Book), Charles Strouse (Music) and Martin Charnin (Lyrics).

The cast stars Andrea McArdle (Broadway’s original Annie) as Miss Hannigan, Jeff Austin as Oliver Warbucks, Shannon Warne as Grace Farrell, Michael Paternostro as Rooster, Bets Malone as Lily St. Regis, Mark Capri as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Melody Hollis as Annie.

ANNIE also stars Paige Befeler as July, Alexa Freeman as Pepper, Grace Kaufman as Molly, Madison Milledge as Tessie, Jenna Rosen as Duffy, and Danielle Soibelman as Kate. The ANNIE ensemble includes Jef Canter, Amberly Chamberlain, Sean Clifford, Amy Gillette, Brian Michael Hoffman, Damon Kirsche, Nick Lorenzini, Melissa Mitchell, Todd Nielsen, Jennifer Strattan, and Mikey as Sandy.

Musical Theatre West is the proud resident musical theatre company at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center located at 6200 E. Atherton Street in Long Beach, CA.

The performance schedule for ANNIE is Thursdays through Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. (note: a 7pm performance has been added for 11/7.)  Tickets start at $30 with last row seating available at an additional discount. There is a $3 service charge per ticket.  Prices are subject to change without notice.  Group rates are available for 15 or more. 

Tickets for ANNIE can be purchased through the MTW Box Office at (562) 856-1999 x4 or online at www.musical.org.

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