Leapin’ Lizards! Annie Charms at Theatre by the Sea

Annie, America’s favorite red-headed orphan, is charming audiences at Theatre by the Sea. The show opened in previews on July 17 and runs through August 10.

Annie made its Broadway debut in April 1977 and played 2,377 performances before closing in 1983. The show won seven Tony Awards, including for Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan), Best Original Score (music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin), and Best Choreography.

The story is simple yet sweet: Annie (Lauren Weintraub) is among a group of girls living in a Depression-era orphanage run by the wicked Miss Hannigan (Jan Neuberger). Annie temporarily escapes from this house of horrors in a bag of laundry and wanders the streets of New York, where she meets a stray dog she names Sandy.

Meanwhile, billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Todd Fenstermaker) is searching for an orphan who will want to spend a few weeks with him at his palatial mansion. When Warbucks’ secretary, Grace Farrell (Margaret Loesser Robinson), shows up at the orphanage, Annie eagerly volunteers to ditch her dreary surroundings to live in Warbucks’ lap of luxury.

At first, Warbucks is wary of this 11-year-old girl, but eventually falls for the little waif’s charms. When Warbucks puts up a $50,000 reward in an effort to find Annie’s parents, Hannigan, her scheming brother Rooster (Nathaniel Shaw), and his fiancee Lily (Becca Gottlieb) hatch a plot to get the money.

As Annie, Weintraub has the stage presence, charisma, and most importantly – the vocal chops – to pull off the show’s signature tune, “Tomorrow,” and the wistful show opener, “Maybe.”

Annie also has a first-rate villain in the boozy Hannigan, whose comic desperation and physical gyrations are hilarious.

Fenstermaker brings the appropriate amount of charm and wit to the imperious Warbucks. Fenstermaker and Weintraub shine on the duet, “I Don’t Need Anything But You.”

There are excellent supporting performances by Tom Roberts as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Greg London as Warbucks’ butler Drake, Joshua Christensen as Eddie, and Macy (as Sandy).

Showstoppers include the rollicking “Easy Street,” performed by the Hannigans and Lily, and “It’s a Hard Knock Life” and “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” performed by the orphans.

The show’s technical credits are superb: the set decoration gives the orphanage a suitably run-down quality and Warbucks’ mansion a lush, opulent appearance.

The costumes and lighting design all give the show a flashy colorful look.

Credit for the musical’s high energy and superb performances goes to Director/Choreographer Richard Sabellico, who directed a 1983 production of the show at Theatre by the Sea.

Annie is an optimistic, feel-good show bound to warm the heart of the most jaded cynic.

Performances are Tuesdays through Sundays. Show times are Tuesday – Friday 8 pm; Thursday 2 pm; Saturday 4 pm and 8 pm; Sunday 3 pm (first week only), 5 pm, and 8 pm (first week only). Tickets are $39, $49, & $59. Tickets are on sale now by calling (401) 782-8587, online at theatrebythesea.com, or in person at 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield, RI 02879.