It’s a hard knock life no more for Melbourne audiences, as the beloved Broadway classic ANNIE returns to the stage in a dazzling new production that has opened at the Princess Theatre. Under the direction of Karen Johnson Mortimer, this revival sparkles with heart, humour, and that timeless promise that the sun will come out tomorrow.
Based on Harold Gray’s enduring 1924 comic strip Little Orphan Annie, the musical, featuring Charles Strouse’s unforgettable score, Martin Charnin’s witty lyrics, and Thomas Meehan’s warm, sharply structured book, retains every ounce of charm that made it a Broadway sensation in 1977 and an Australian favourite since its 1978 debut. But this latest staging elevates the familiar into something magical, with a creative team whose collective vision pulses with energy, elegance, and soul.
At the heart of this production is the performance by Isabella Hayden as Annie. With a voice that soars and a presence beyond her years, Hayden infuses the role with both grit and vulnerability. Her rendition of Tomorrow was met with significant applause.
Her natural rapport with the ensemble, and particularly with Anthony Warlow’s commanding yet tender Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks – that leaves an indelible impression. Warlow, a mainstay of Australian musical theatre, having portrayed the role since 2000 in Australia and on Broadway, brings effortless gravitas to the role, his voice and timing as impeccable as ever.
Debora Krizak is gloriously unhinged as Miss Hannigan, straddling the line between comedy and menace with delicious glee. Keanu Gonzalez as Daniel ‘Rooster’ Hannigan and Mackenzie Dunn as Lily St. Regis are an electric pair, injecting the showstopper Easy Street with slinky swagger and comic panache. Amanda Lea Lavergne’s Grace Farrell offers a warm, dignified counterbalance – her chemistry with both Warlow and Hayden is genuine and touching.
A delightful surprise comes in the form of Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle, as President Franklin D. Roosevelt. With commanding stillness and twinkle-eyed optimism, he lends the role a quiet depth that underscores the show’s Depression-era stakes.
One of the evening’s brightest achievements is the children’s ensemble, expertly coached by Darren Tyler. With Bibiana Brudan as Molly, Leah Cooper as Friday, Sophie Isaac as Duffy, Ava Kroussoratis as Tessie, Marli Lee as Kate, Harper Pasco as Pepper and Calliope Xintavelonis as July – each child brings personality, precision, and professionalism that would rival many adult casts. Their rendition of It’s the Hard Knock Life is crisply choreographed and emotionally charged – one of the many standout moments in this production
Mitchell Woodcock’s choreography is as slick as it is characterful, blending Broadway razzle-dazzle with grounded storytelling. David Piper’s musical direction keeps the pace zippy, with the orchestra delivering the iconic score with warmth and verve.
Visually, Kenneth Foy’s evocative sets transition seamlessly from orphanage squalor to Warbucks’ opulent mansion, while Kristian Fredrikson’s costumes, rich in detail and whimsy, are a bittersweet reminder of the late designer’s genius.
Gavan Swift’s lighting design bathes the stage in warmth and shadow with equal artistry, while Craig Wilkinson’s projections and Michael Waters’ pristine sound design add cinematic fluidity to the storytelling.
ANNIE
Princess Theatre, Spring Street, Melbourne
Performance: Thursday 10 July 2025
Season continues to 8 November 2025 (final tickets on sale from Monday 14 July)
Bookings: www.ticketek.com.au
Following the Melbourne season, ANNIE will play the Lyric Theatre – QPAC, Brisbane, from 27 December 2025. For more information, visit: www.anniemusical.com.au for details.
Images: The Children’s Cast of ANNIE (Sydney season, 2025) – photo by Daniel Boud | Mackenzie Dunn as Lily St. Regis, Debora Krizak as Miss Hannigan and Keanu Gonzalez as Rooster Hannigan – photo by Daniel Boud | Anthony Warlow as Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks (right) and the Cast of ANNIE (Sydney season, 2025) – photo by Daniel Boud
Review: Rohan Shearn