One role, two stars: Young actresses alternate as Annie in Drury Lane tuner

As opening night of Drury Lane Theatre’s revival of “Annie” neared, director Scott Weinstein found himself in an enviable position.

He had not one but two talented young actresses playing the titular orphan: principal Emerson Mae Chan and Catharina Araujo, who alternates in the role for select performances.

Initially, their roles were reversed. Araujo, a veteran of Citadel Theatre and Music Theater Works, was cast as the principal. Chan, returning to the suburbs after touring with “Les Misérables” and “Mrs. Doubtfire,” was the alternate.

According to Weinstein, Araujo experienced vocal strain a couple of weeks before opening, prompting the switch.

“Both of our Annies are spectacular actresses and people,” Weinstein said. “Both are prepared and ready to go on at a moment’s notice.”

And canine co-star Georgie, who plays Annie’s best pal Sandy, gets along with both girls.

“Georgie, he’s such a professional,” said Chan, 11. “He’s so sweet and he loves people.”

Araujo, 11, describes Georgie as a good scene partner and said working with him has been one of her favorite parts of the show.

“I love Georgie. He’s adorable,” Araujo said.

Both actresses have appeared in “Annie” previously. Araujo, of Glencoe, made her professional debut as Tessie, one of the orphans, in Music Theater Works’ 2025 revival.

She saw the movie version of the show and the 2023 national tour. When she learned Drury Lane was reviving the musical, she insisted on auditioning.

At 6, Chan played the orphan Molly in a production of the musical at Road Show Inc., a Naperville performing arts training program.

“That’s how I first got into acting, singing and theater,” said Chan, who credits her grandfather, a singer and performer, with sparking her interest.

She made her professional debut at 7, understudying the role of Gretl in Paramount Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music.”

Chan never expected to step into the principal role.

“I was very surprised,” she said. “I had no idea it was going to happen.”

Weinstein and his creative team had no doubt Chan would meet the challenge and meet it quickly. He said her skills were apparent during the audition.

“She had confidence and an innate sense of joy,” Weinstein recalled. “There were no nerves, no fear, no uncertainty.”

This marks Weinstein’s first time directing “Annie,” which was one of the shows his grandparents took him to see when he was a boy.

“My daughter loves the soundtrack,” he said. “It’s so special getting to introduce her to the show the way my grandparents introduced it to me.”

Although set during the Great Depression, the show has a sense of immediacy, Weinstein said.

“People are polarized. People are out of work. Prices are high,” he said. “We can relate to that today … the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.”

And yet one hopeful girl is able to affect change in the people around her, he said.

“That’s the way change happens and things get better,” he said. “That’s a beautiful message to send to kids right now.”

Chan and Araujo say the character’s positive spirit is her most appealing quality.

“She always looks on the bright side,” Araujo said.

“She’s always very optimistic,” Chan said, adding, “Her lines are hilarious.”

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“Annie”

Showtimes: 1:30 Wednesday; 1:30 and 7 p.m. Thursday; 7 p.m. Friday; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 10, 2027

Where: Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, (630) 530-0111, drurylanetheatre.com/annie

Tickets: Tickets start at $92; dinner and theater packages available