Muny's Season Continues With ANNIE

On a muggy night, when you couldn't help but be sympathetic toward the actors bundled up in overcoats and sweaters to give the impression of winter in New York, circa 1933, a delightful version of Annie took to the Muny stage. Despite the uncomfortable weather, the cast put forth a sparkling effort bursting with energy. Although I'd just seen a splendid version of this show a few days before, the Muny, with its huge oversized stage, brings an element of spectacle to the proceedings that very few theatres can duplicate.

The familiar story follows a little redheaded orphan girl named Annie who's searching for her parents, even though they abandoned her eleven years ago. A lucky break finds her spending Christmas vacation under the care of billionaire Oliver Warbucks. He'd like to adopt her, but she's still fixated on finding her parents, so he mounts a campaign to aid her in doing so. Smiles and happy endings abound in this wonderfully upbeat show.

Abigail Isom shines as Annie, projecting a sunny disposition, in spite of her lot in life. She also acquits herself well vocally with splendid renditions of "Maybe", "Tomorrow", and a cute duet with Warbucks called "I Don't Need Anything But You". Conrad John Schuck is excellent as Warbucks, recreating the role he'd already assayed on Broadway for an extended period some years ago. Schuck may be most familiar to those of us who grew up during the 1970's, and caught his work on episodic television shows, and in movies. He's exceptional here, and though he may be a bit limited vocally, he does fine work on "NYC", and the emotionally charged tune, "Something Was Missing".

Beth Leavel is way over the top as Miss Hannigan, the lush who looks after the kids at the seedy orphanage, but she generates a lot of laughs and seems to be having a grand old time. She nearly snarls out the words to "Little Girls", which chronicles her disgusted attitude at having to deal with her small charges.  She also sings with a real bluesy swing on "Easy Street". Joneal Joplin effectively recreates the mannerisms and inflections associated with FDR in his stellar portrayal of the president.

A very solid supporting cast includes: Mikey as the adorable mutt Sandy; Etai BenShlomo as radio personality Bert Healy; Christianne Tisdale as Grace Farrell, the personal assistant to Warbucks; Jim Newman as Hannigan's wayward brother Rooster; and Stacey Logan as his squeaky voiced girlfriend.

Daniel Goldstein's direction is very nicely realized, and production numbers like "It's a Hard Knock Life" find new life with the additional presence of the Youth Ensemble. Michael Anania's sets and painted backdrops evoke the era with style. Michael Horsley conducts the string-laden Muny orchestra, and provides a lovely background for the tuneful score by Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin.

The Muny's family-friendly, and utterly charming production of Annie continues through June 30, 2009.

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