Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Martin Charnin
Book by Thomas Meehan
Presented by special arrangement with Musical Theatre International
Directed by Lonny Aldridge
Musical Direction by Midge Dionne
Choreography by Valinda Jonas
THE STORY
11 year old Annie is in an orphanage, presided over by Miss Hannigan, who keeps the little girl orphans in line by bullying and threatening them ("It's the Hard-Knock Life"). The girls are ever hopeful that they will find parents and happiness ("Maybe") while Miss Hannigan is unhappy with her situation. Annie decides to escape to find her parents, running into a friendly dog (Sandy) ("Tomorrow") and the people made homeless because of the Great Depression ("We'd Like To Thank You, Herbert Hoover"). However, she is returned to the orphanage. Grace Farrell, Warbucks' assistant, picks her to live in Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks' palatial home for the Christmas holidays ("I Think I'm Gonna Like it Here").
Although initially uncomfortable with each other, Annie and Daddy Warbucks soon come to love each other ("You Won't Be An Orphan For Long"). Warbucks wants to adopt her, but Annie insists that her parents will come for her. Over the radio show of Bert Healy, and with the help of President and Mrs. Roosevelt, Warbucks offers a reward for the parents ("You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile"). Miss Hannigan and her brother, Rooster, and his slightly ditzy girlfriend, Lily St. Regis, scheme to pretend to be the parents and collect the reward ("Easy Street"). When they are found out, it is revealed that Annie's parents have died. Warbucks and Annie become a family ("I Don't Need Anything But You").
Cast of Characters
| Annie | An 11-year-old redheaded girl, optimistic and "spunky", seeking her parents |
| Miss Hannigan | The unpleasant orphanage matron, disillusioned, she hates children, but is fond of alcoholic beverages |
| Oliver Warbucks | Billionaire businessman who opens his home – and heart – to Annie |
| Grace Farrell | Warbucks' faithful secretary |
| Rooster | Miss Hannigan's no-good brother, out for the quick buck |
| Lily St. Regis | Rooster's not-so-dumb blonde amoral girlfriend |
| President Franklin D. Roosevelt | President of the United States, he aids Warbucks in the search for Annie's parents |
| Bert Healy | Radio announcer who agrees to broadcast Annie's search for her parents |
| The Boylan Sisters | Singers on the Bert Healy Show |
| Orphan girls | Residents of the orphanage who range in age from 6 to 13, they have a "Hard Knock Life" (Pepper, Molly, July, Tessie, Duffy, Kate) |
| Sandy | An abandoned mixed–breed dog that Annie rescues who becomes her faithful companion |
| Francis Perkins | Roosevelt Cabinet Member (the real-life Perkins was spelled Frances Perkins) |