The original Broadway production of Annie opened at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon) April 21, 1977 . The production dominated the 1977 Tony Awards, earning 11 nominations and winning for Best Musical, Score, and Book. Andrea McArdle received a Tony nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her role as the title character, but the award went to her co-star, Dorothy Loudon, who played Miss Hannigan.
After nearly six years and 2,377 performances, Annie closed January 2, 1983.
Based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip, Annie tells the story of a spunky orphan girl finding a home with a New York millionaire during the Depression while dodging the clutches of her evil orphanage mistress. The musical features music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan.
Sandy and Andrea McArdle in Annie
The original production starred McArdle as Annie, Reid Shelton as Daddy Warbucks, Loudon as Miss Hannigan, Sandy Faison as Grace Farrell, Robert Fitch as Rooster Hannigan, and Diana Barrows as Tessie. The esnemble featured Laurie Beechman, Danielle Brisebois, Shelley Bruce, Barbara Erwin, Robyn Finn, Donna Graham, Janine Ruane, Raymond Thorne, James Hosbein, Steven Boockvor, Edwin Bordo, Edie Cowan, Donald Craig, Richard Ensslen, Bob Freschi, Mari McMinn, and Penny Worth. Rounding out the company were Kristen Vigard as the standby for Annie, Don Bonnell as swing, and Rymond Thorne and Mimi Wallace as understudies.
Directed by Charnin with choreography by Peter Gennaro, Annie featured scenic design by David Mitchell, costume design by Theoni V. Aldredge, and lighting design by Judy Rasmuson with stage management by Janet Beroza, Jack Timmers, and Patrick O'Leary. Visit the Playbill Vault for the cast and creative team.
Following the original Broadway production, Annie returned to the Main Stem in 1997 starring Brittny Kissinger and once more in 2012 starring Lilla Crawford.
