The beloved tale of Annie has been capturing the hearts of theatregoers around the globe for generations. And now the legendary, joyous and inspiring production returns to Australian stages.
The ever-popular Broadway musical Annie will light up Princess Theatre from July next year in an exciting new production directed by Karen Johnson Mortimer and produced by John Frost for Crossroads Live.
It’s one of the most awarded and loved musicals of all time. With its iconic score, featuring classics like It’s the Hard-Knock Life, Tomorrow, Easy Street and N.Y.C, Annie is truly a timeless masterpiece, with a book and score written by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin.
“Annie is the show that people ask me about more than any other. ‘When is Annie coming back’, they say,” said John Frost. “There’s now a whole new generation of children who may not have seen this audience favourite so it’s time to see Annie again. And there’s a whole new generation of young performers – we can’t wait to start auditions and find our Annies, as well as our Peppers, our Duffys, our Kates, our Tessies, our Julys, our Mollys and our Fridays. Auditions will start later this year.”
Based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” which debuted in 1924 and ran for over 80 year, the musical Annie burst into popularity in 1977 when it opened on Broadway. The musical won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin), the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, and the Grammy for Best Cast Show Album. After the Broadway run of almost six years, it has played in more than 22 countries worldwide including the UK, Argentina, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Australia. Annie became a smash-hit movie musical in 1982 starring Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney and Carol Burnett that is adored worldwide and a fixture of popular culture references.
Annie first toured Australia from 1978 with a cast that included Jill Perryman, Hayes Gordon, Kevin Johnson, Nancye Hayes and Anne Grigg. Annie returned to the Australia stage in 2000 produced by John Frost starring Anthony Warlow, Amanda Muggleton, Jane Scali, Philip Gould and Angela Kelly. For this production, Annie’s lyricist and original Broadway director Martin Charnin wrote a new song for Anthony Warlow to sing in the show, an unprecedented honour for him. A further production toured Australia in 2012, again starring Anthony Warlow alongside Nancye Hayes, Todd McKenney, Chloe Dallimore and Julie Goodwin, which led to Anthony heading to the USA to reprise his role of Daddy Warbucks on Broadway.
A celebration of hope, family and friendship. This small but mighty young girl has returned to stick out her chin and grin once more!
Update 26th July 2024
Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live and director Karen Johnson Mortimer today announced their canine stars who will play the role of Sandy in the upcoming Australian production of the ever-popular Broadway musical Annie. Taking on the role of Annie’s loyal companion will be Bodhi, who has featured in Neighbours, and Sandy who will share the role of Sandy. Tickets are now on sale for this legendary, joyous and inspiring production of Annie which will light up Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from 27 March next year.
Update 30th September 2024 - New Performances in Sydney and Cast Members
Due to popular demand, new performances have been added today for the Sydney season of the new Australian production of the ever-popular Broadway musical Annie, which begins on 27 March next year. Performances up until 18 May have been released for pre-sale from today, with General Public sales from Friday 4 October.
Due to popular demand, new performances have been added today for the Sydney season of the new Australian production of the ever-popular Broadway musical Annie, which begins on 27 March next year. Performances up until 18 May have been released for pre-sale from today, with General Public sales from Friday 4 October.
Anthony Warlow returns as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, the role he has played twice before in Australia to great acclaim and in which he made his Broadway debut. One of Australian theatre’s greatest leading men, Anthony’s stellar career includes lead roles in Chicago (Billy Flynn), The Phantom of the Opera (The Phantom), The Wizard of Oz (The Wizard), The Secret Garden (Archibald Craven), Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson), Les Misérables (Enjolras), My Fair Lady (Henry Higgins), Man of La Mancha (Don Quixote), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Sweeney Todd) and A Little Night Music (Frederik Egerman).
With a career spanning two decades, Debora Krizak takes on the delicious role of Miss Hannigan. One of Australia's most critically acclaimed leading ladies of musical theatre, Debora has starred in shows such as Mel Brooks’ The Producers, A Chorus Line, Sweet Charity, Cabaret, Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You and Billy Elliot. She has also played feature roles in John Frost and Opera Australia’s productions of Anything Goes and Cinderella.
Rising star Mackenzie Dunn will play Lily St. Regis and Keanu Gonzalez will step into the role of “Rooster” Hannigan. Mackenzie and Keanu are currently starring as Rizzo and Kenickie in the new Australian tour of Grease. Most recently seen in Australia in Jekyll and Hyde, Broadway actor Amanda Lea LaVergne will play the role of Grace Farrell. Amanda’s credits include Annie, Bring It On, Guys and Dolls, 9 to 5, Crazy for You, An American in Paris, Anything Goes, Chicago and Gypsy.
Update 1st December 2024 - Cast Announced!
Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live today revealed the talented children who will play Annie and the orphans in the upcoming Sydney season of the ever-popular Broadway musical Annie, as well as the adult cast who will perform alongside them. The new Australian production plays at the Capitol Theatre from 25 March, before moving to Melbourne’s Princess Theatre from July.
Due to popular demand, new performances have been added for the Sydney season. Performances up until 1 June will be released for pre-sale tomorrow, with General Public sales from Friday 6 December.
Four gifted young performers will share the titular role of Annie - Beatrix Alder, Matilda Casey, Dakota Chanel and Stephanie McNamara.
Beatrix Alder, Matilda Casey, Dakota Chanel and Stephanie McNamara - PHOTO DAVID HOOLEY
Playing the role of Pepper will be Kiki Kersten, Francesca Kong and Matilda Teiotu, while Camille Nko’o, Bianca Papp and Olivia Scott will share the role of Duffy. As Kate will be Elle Boesen, Yasha Glaperin and Skylah McMah, with Tessie played by Chloe Delle-Vedove, Nina Gallas and Ava Palfreyman. July will be played by Pearl Mason, Cailin Scully and Victoria Togias, and Molly by Ellie Lang, Arianna Lorusso and Willow Wilson. Yeshi Jehru, Zoe Reeves, Skye Spiden and Aleia Taliacos will be playing Friday.
The talented ensemble cast members are Luke Alleva, Cameron Boxall, Tim Brown, Emily Casey, Nakita Clarke, Andrew Dunne, Sebastian Johnston, Anna Mallows, Chloë Marshall, Kristina McNamara, Tom New, Ryan Orphel, Madeline Pratt, Lisa Sontag, Suzanne Steele and Dean Vince.
Anthony Warlow returns as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, the role he has played twice before in Australia to great acclaim and in which he made his Broadway debut. With a career spanning two decades, Debora Krizak (The Producers, A Chorus Line) takes on the role of Miss Hannigan. Rising star Mackenzie Dunn (Shrek, Grease) will play Lily St. Regis and Keanu Gonzalez (West Side Story, Hamilton) will step into the role of “Rooster” Hannigan, while Amanda Lea LaVergne (Guys and Dolls, 9 to 5) will play Grace Farrell.
Update 3rd December 2024 - New Seats Presale, It’s a Hard-Knock Life
The beloved tale of Annie has been capturing the hearts of theatregoers around the globe for generations. And now the legendary, and inspiring musical returns to the Capitol Theatre from March for a strictly limited season.
You now have priority access to purchases tickets for performances from Wednesday 21 May through to Sunday 1 June. We are so excited for families to introduce this magical story to new generations!
A brand-new production, with brand-new choreography — Annie is a grown-up musical for the whole family!
Event Details:
Season: Tuesday 1st July to Sunday 3rd August 2025
Performance Times: TBA
Running time: 2hrs 30 minutes, including a 20minute interval
Age recommendation: Ages 6+
Note: Infants under the age of 2 are permitted free of charge provided they do not occupy a seat and you obtain a complimentary babe in arms ticket on the day of the performance from the Capitol theatre box office.
Show notice: This show may contain loud noises, flashing lights, smoke effects, and strobe lighting.
Location: Princess Theatre
More info & tickets here.
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