Citadel Theatre brings classic 'Annie' to the stage
It's been nearly 100 years since Little Orphan Annie first appeared in the comic pages of a daily newspaper, and given that her story is set in New York City, people might be surprised to learn the character's origin was in Chicago.
She was created by cartoonist Harold Gray, who worked for the Chicago Tribune, and inspired by an orphan girl he had met on the streets of Chicago. Most comic strips of the era had boys as their central characters, so Gray thought audiences would enjoy one with a street-smart, scrappy girl as its heroine.
The Tribune at first rejected the idea, but another paper - The New York Daily News - picked it up. The comic strip "Little Orphan Annie" debuted on Aug. 25, 1924, and was soon carried by other newspapers. Thus began an 86-year run as a newspaper comic strip seen around the world, with story lines reflecting the events of the decades.
The red-haired orphan last appeared in her own strip in 2010, but thanks to the Broadway musical "Annie," which Citadel Theater in Lake Forest is producing through Jan. 4, 2020, Annie lives on as a popular character.
Though Little Orphan Annie as a comic strip character lived in storylines spanning most of the 20th Century, the musical "Annie" is set during the Great Depression, with a story played out on the mean streets as well as in the mansions of New York City. Its colorful cast of characters includes the very poor, the very rich, orphans, con men and even President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Though some of the characters bemoan their "hard-knock life," the story is wrapped up in the optimistic message of the musical's signature song, "Tomorrow."
The musical has been a favorite ever since opening on Broadway in 1977 for its blend of comedy, music and dance, not to mention its cast, including adorable kids and a dog.
Citadel's "Annie" is directed by Robert D. Estrin, who directed last year's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and the Jeff Award-winning "The Explorers Club." Ryan Brewster is music director and Jake Ganzer is choreographer.
The cast of 30 includes Sophie Kaegi and Kayla Norris alternating in the title role. Playing Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks is John B. Boss. Citadel Theatre co-founder and Actors Equity member Ellen Phelps plays orphanage mistress Miss Hannigan, while Kyle Ryan and Becca Duff take on the roles of Rooster Hannigan and Lily St. Regis. Chamaya Moody plays Warbucks' secretary, Grace Farrell.
Two groups of young performers alternate as the other orphans under Miss Hannigan's care: Isabel Ackerman and Nora Hubert (Kate); Lila Bahng and Everleigh Murphy (Molly); Emiko Chichester and Allison Gregorio (Pepper); Sara Deodhar and Sammy Menapace (Tessie); Jocelyn Goldman and Cate Gordon (Duffy); and Sophia Smith (July).
The adult cast also includes Anne Arza, John Benischek, Bill Chamberlain, Jonah Cochin, Jimmy Hogan, Emily Lewis, Rebecca Marowitz, Nicky Mendelsohn, Alexander Rubin, Michael Ryan, Alison Stake and Shaina Summerville. David Lemrise is understudy for the role of Oliver Warbucks.
"Annie" will be performed through Jan. 5. Citadel Theatre is at 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, and Friday and Saturday, Jan. 3 and 4; 3 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 29 and Jan. 5; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.citadeltheatre.org or call (847) 735-8554, ext. 1.
• To submit Your news, go to dailyherald.com/share.