Music Theater Works presents ANNIE.
The economy is in shambles. Millions of people are out of work. Morale is at an all-time low. Despite the similarity to current day, this show is set in the past during the original Depression. Parents are forced to leave their daughter behind at an orphanage while they fend for survival. Fast-forward a decade, Annie is a plucky orphan still waiting for her parents to pick her up. By chance, she gets selected to be a guest at the home of local billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. During her visit, she charms him, the staff, the President and the country.
Director Kyle A. Dougan-LeBlanc leans into the true grit of the time period. Scene transitions feature black-and-white projections of food lines, news clippings and palpable poverty. The images contrast dramatically with the high-energy vibrant cast led by Elin Joy Seiler (Annie). Seiler kicks off the show with a searing “Maybe” followed by a rambunctious “Hard Knock Life” and then straight to the heart with a powerhouse “Tomorrow.” Although she seems slightly older than the precocious Annie made iconic in the movie version, Seiler brings a sophistication to the role. She plays it less cutesy adorable and more witty lovely.
Dougan-LeBlanc goes big in this production. The cast is huge! The orphanage, Hooverville, NYC streets, and the mansion are bursting with ensemble. It makes for big joyous spectacles (Choreography by Mollyanne Nunn, Music Conducted by Linda Madonia, Costume Design by Rachel M. Sypniewski). One of the standout musical numbers is “NYC.” Seiler, Michael Metcalf (Warbucks) and Desiree Gonzalez (Grace) sing and dance through the streets joined by an eclectic group of New Yorkers. As a new Broadway hopeful Asia Posey busts out a memorable solo. The show is riddled with this type of light-at-the-end-of the-tunnel optimism.
The original dream team (Charles Strouse- music and Martin Charnin – lyrics) created an unforgettable score. Fifty years after it’s Broadway debut, the songs are still irresistible! “Little Girls” is a drunken lament about orphans that a hilarious Sarah Smith (Miss Hannigan) crushes. Later, Smith, David Geinosky (Rooster) and Emily Holland (Lily) deliver a dynamic “Easy Street.” They zealously plot and shimmy. It’s delightful ….’yessiree yessiree’! And a winsome “I don’t need anything but you” led by Seiler and Metcalf is the happily-ever-after promise for the future.
ANNIE is THE perfect escape from your “Hard Knock Life.” This cast IS the “Something was Missing” in your life. You’ll leave this uplifting show smiling and humming. Don’t wait for “Tomorrow.” Buy your ticket today!
Running Time: Two hours and thirty minutes includes an intermission
At The George Van Dusen Theatre at North Shore Center for The Performing Arts in Skokie
Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Martin Charnin
Book by Thomas Meehan
Choreography by Mollyanne Nunn
Directed by Kyle A. Dougan-LeBlanc
Music Conducted by Linda Madonia
Performances are:
Wednesday, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm
Thru January 4
For more information or tickets
Production photos by Anthony Robert LaPenna
For more Chicago theatre information and reviews, please visit Theatre in Chicago
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