Gallery Players Opens 51st Season with ANNIE Tonight in Brooklyn

Gallery Players charges into its 51st season with their first show, the beloved and uplifting Annie. It tells the story of a plucky and lovable orphan girl, a millionaire, and how they find their forever family with each other. This year marks the 40th year anniversary of the original Broadway production. The show has been a family favorite ever since.

Annie features a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin and is based on Little Orphan Annie comics. Annie premiered at the Goodspeed Opera House in 1976 before transferring to Broadway in 1977. It was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning for Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book. It had a revival in 1997 and in 2012, both of which were modest successes in New York and great successes touring.

Set in 1930s New York City, Annie finds refuge from an orphanage run by the embittered Miss Hannigan when billionaire Oliver Warbucks invites her to spend the holidays with him. Adventure and magic follow as Annie transforms all those around her. With the help of her delightful fellow orphans, she foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations and discovers the true meaning of family. Musical highlights include "Tomorrow," "Easy Street," "N.Y.C." and "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile."

Tickets are $30 for Adults and $20 for senior citizens, students, and children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased 24/7 online at www.galleryplayers.com or by calling OvationTix at 212-352-3101 (phone hours 9-9 weekdays, 10-6 weekends). Annie is an approved Actors Equity Association showcase.

Bringing Annie to the Gallery stage is Executive Producer, Mark Harborth; Company Manager, Nick Radu-Rayburn; Director of Production, Scott Cally; Director/Choreographer Jerry Mittelhauser; Music Director, Taylor Masamitsu; Lighting Designer, Christopher Chambers; Set Designer, Jerry Mittelhauser; Assistant Set Designer, Joshua Barilla; Scenic Artist, CaitLynn Barrett; Costume Designer, Barbara Erin Delo; Assistant Costume Designer, Emily Czudak; Properties Designer, Gabrielle Giacomo; Production Stage Manager, Ann Barkin; Assistant Stage Managers, Shivam Chopra, Aniket Dikshit, Emily La Rosa and an ensemble featuring Kevin Bain*, Elyse Beyer*, Martin Bonventre, Luisa Boyaggi, Callie Chafin, Lily Daquigan, Alex Domini, Heather Gault*, Mikey Giardano, Madalynn Heeren-Mathews, Chrisy Kakurai, Della Pearl Katz, Heather Koren*, Jim Madden*, Eileen Nicolosi, Violet Reimer, Adele Ricci, Gina Ricci*, Amanda Summa, Simona Tamburello and Emma Grace Berardelli as Annie. (*courtesy of Actors' Equity Association)

A New York institution for over 50 years-The Gallery Players' season comprises three plays and three musicals from both the classic and contemporary repertoire; the season finale is the annual Black Box New Play Festival, which workshops and presents world premiere productions of works by emerging playwrights.

Gallery's OVERTURES program features staged readings of new musicals held throughout the regular season. Gallery has received the Off-Off Broadway Review's 2000 Award for Lifetime Achievement, as well as Innovative Theater (IT) awards for outstanding musical for Urinetown, Yank, and Like You Like It, and has earned the reputation of "New York's Best Kept Secret."

The Gallery Players is located at 199 14th Street, between 4th and 5th Avenues, in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Take the F Train to 4th Avenue or the R Train to 9th Street. By car: the BQE to Hamilton Avenue, to 14th Street. Visit galleryplayers.com for more information.

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