Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live has announced a Brisbane season of the ever popular Broadway musical Annie at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC from December 2025, following seasons at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre and Melbourne’s Princess Theatre.
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. Warlow leads a stellar cast including Debora Krizak as Miss Hannigan, rising star Mackenzie Dunn will play Lily St. Regis, Keanu Gonzalez will step into the role of “Rooster” Hannigan, while Amanda Lea LaVergne plays Grace Farrell. In his first musical theatre role, Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle, will be playing President Roosevelt.
“I’m so excited that Anthony has agreed to return to play Daddy Warbucks, the role that took him to Broadway during the last Australian tour of Annie,” said John Frost. “What a joy to welcome Deb Krizak, Mackenzie Dunn and Keanu Gonzalez back for another Crossroads Live show, and to cast Amanda Lea LaVergne in her first Australian tour and Greg Page in his first musical.”
“I’m so looking forward to finding the talented young Queensland actors who will play Annie and the orphans during the Brisbane season. Annie is one of the most delightful and inspiring musicals of all time, and I know Brisbane will enjoy seeing the sun come up on it again,” said Mr Frost.
One of the most awarded and loved musicals of all me, 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.
Based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, which debuted in 1924 and ran for over 80 years, 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.
A celebration of hope, family and friendship. This small but mighty young girl has returned to stick out her chin and grin once more!
The new Australian production is currently playing at the Capitol Theatre until 21 June, before moving to Melbourne’s Princess Theatre from 10 July, and Brisbane’s Lyric Theatre – QPAC from December 2025 – join the waitlist for Brisbane now! For more information, visit: www.anniemusical.com.au for details.
Image: Anthony Warlow as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks in Annie – photo by Daniel Boud