Review: ANNIE Shines at the Civic Theatre

If you are fighting those post Halloween, pre holiday blues, then the San Diego Civic Theatre has the best cure for you and your family! You just need a small dose of ANNIE to remind you that the "sun will come out tomorrow". ANNIE and her crew of precocious orphans, plus adorable dogs, have come to the San Diego Civic Theatre through Sunday, November 8th. Because everyone knows that the best cure for the blues is a spunky red head getting into adventures in New York, whose smile and spirit are bright enough that it shines like the top of the Chrysler building.

ANNIE is one of those classic musicals that everyone has an awareness of - since it's opening in 1977 this family favorite has captured the attention of kids and theatre goers alike. You either know the show, know a kids who has been in the show, know people that won't stop singing "Tomorrow," or if you're like my poor parents, your kids re-watches the movie so much the VHS tape breaks. (Yes, VHS.) So for all of us there is no need to recap the plot of this plucky orphan.

All the elements of the classic show are there - sassy red headed orphan, dastardly Miss Hannigan, and melting the cold capitalistic heart of Mr. Warbucks to Daddy Warbucks. Throw in a grifter named after a farm animal and his dim bulb blonde and what more could you want? While this is not new ground, what this tour is great at is making this classic show feels fun, full of energy, and fresh for a new generation. This show stays true to the classic and maintains all of the heart and wit without getting into a lot of the darker elements that the Broadway revival.

As the title character, Issie Swickle is confident, polished, and someone who I believes as able to take care of herself out on the cold New York streets. Thankfully, her Annie is slightly more grounded than the shiny caricatures other Annie's have been in the past, which makes it a more relatable character. As the leader of the rag tag orphans, who are all as talented and entertaining as the next, it's the kids in this show that keep the energy and the entertainment factor high.

As gruff billionaire Daddy Warbucks, Gilgamesh Taggett is a funny standout as we slowly see the ice in him melt against Annie's sunshine. Lynn Andrews as Miss Hannigan is a treat as she laments her circumstances of being surrounded by "Little Girls." Her powerful once and her comedic timing keep Miss Hannigan from being too evil, and her she makes singing along to a Jell-o commercial an unexpectedly funny treat.

If you've read any of my other reviews, you know love when there is a great orchestra in a show and the 13 piece orchestra led by Music Director and keyboardist Kelly Ann Lambert is as fun, fizzy, and full of personality as the rest of this cast.

Last, but certainly not least, the two rescue dogs as Sandy, who alternate in the role, are adorable and always earn their own ovation.

You know it is a good show when people of all ages leave singing and dancing - so don't miss your chance to see this classic show. If you have a kids that has never been to live theatre this is the perfect way to introduce them to it!

Don't miss Annie and her friends at the San Diego Civic Theatre through November 8th! For show times and ticket information go to www.Broadwaysd.com

Photo Credit: Joan marcus

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