Review: Beloved Family-Favorite ANNIE Delivers a Dose of Optimism at Milwaukee's Skylight Music Theatre

Before opening weekend of Annie at Milwaukee's Skylight Music Theatre, I'd only seen and heard snippets of the iconic 1977 musical. Sure, I could sing along to "Tomorrow" and the chorus of "Hard Knock Life" like any good musical theater fan, but my knowledge of our red-headed, orphaned heroine pretty much stopped at face value. Before the curtain rose, I admit I worried a little that even for a self-identifying optimist like me, Annie would turn out to be a bit too syrupy and lean heavily on its one hit song.

Boy were those worries cast aside in no time. But first, a quick run-down of the plot for those who've never even heard "Tomorrow." Annie, a plucky orphan who sees a world full of sunshine and possibility, gets the chance to spend Christmas with billionaire Oliver Warbucks. What starts as a charity case turns into an inseparable duo - but Annie still dreams of finding her real mom and dad. Toss in some shenanigans to threaten the happy ending, courtesy of crooked orphanage owner Miss Hannigan, and you've got the gist.

Waiting for the show to begin, dozens of families trickled into the Skylight's Cabot Theatre, toting little girls in their Sunday best. Eyes gleaming, some of them were lucky enough to snag a booster seat, while others hung over the orchestra railing to sneak a peek at the conductor during Annie's overture. I remember being that little girl myself. Cue the fond nostalgia.

We saw the Sky cast that day, starring the spunky KyLee Hennes as Annie. This young lady quickly stole my heart and, I admit, brought me to tears singing "Maybe" - a ballad in which orphan Annie wishes her parents would come back for her, musing: "Betcha they're good, why shouldn't they be? Their one mistake was giving up me." We weren't 10 minutes into the show, but this little girl had such heart and honesty in her song that I needed a Kleenex. A good sign.

I was equally floored by the kids cast and youth ensemble, the girls who play Annie's cohorts at Miss Hannigan's orphanage. Each one brings their own special vim and vigor to the stage, and it's insanely fun to watch. I'd say "Hard Knock Life" is my clear favorite, but then I remember there's also a phenomenal adult cast.

Carrie Hitchcock's Miss Hannigan is pitch-perfect in her blend of comedy and callousness. She delivers the kind of coarse, vaguely bawdy old crow audiences love to hate. Rounding out the sleazy scumbags are Matt Crowle as Hannigan's brother, Rooster, and Samantha Sostarich as Rooster's dame. Put all three together singing about "Easy Street" and it makes for a highly-entertaining trio.

As for the good guys, our mighty billionaire with the soft underbelly, Oliver Warbucks, is brought to life by the charming, wonderfully robust and strong-voiced Andrew Varela. Diane Lane plays Warbucks' smart, steadfast assistant, Grace Farrell. The strength of Lane's operatic vocals pairs beautifully with Varela's tenor and sweetly fills out Annie's collective sound.

The Skylight's Annie isn't just a treat for the ears - it's also one for the eyes. I counted no less than seven scene changes, each rendered in a sort of winsome, picture-book style. When you add up everything from the stellar kids cast to the rich, jewel-toned costuming to the real dog on stage (Annie's dog Sandy is played by Skippy in the Sky cast), you get the quintessential family-friendly holiday outing - and the perfect story to inspire young girls.

Director Molly Rhode says it best as she recalls her first infatuation with the movie Annie back in 1982: "I had a small obsession with it. A story with a kid at the center, and that kid was a girl, and that girl had a fierce and fiery spirit. That girl was tough as nails, and though the world had only given her hardship, she remained full of optimism. She persisted. Annie is her own agent of change. She doesn't wait for things to happen to her, she seizes the opportunity. What a stunning role model."

35 years later, girls of all ages still need an Annie - a role model who embodies that "though she be but little, she is fierce" mentality. Annie will forever be a shining example that even the smallest of us can affect positive change, and with gumption, fortitude, and kindness, a new tomorrow is only a day away.

Annie is playing now through December 27th at the Skylight Music Theatre. Tickets available at skylightmusictheatre.org.

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