The search for the young girls who will play Annie and her orphan friends in the ever-popular Broadway musical Annie has begun.
Audition notices have been posted by producer John Frost for Crossroads Live and director Karen Johnson Mortimer looking for multiple casts of Annie, Duffy, Kate, Tessie, Pepper, July, Molly and Friday.
The children engaged in playing the roles of Annie and the orphans will work as part of an ensemble group, called upon to sing and dance various major musical numbers throughout the show. All children working on Annie should be comfortable working with dogs. The demands of the lead role of Annie are huge as she is leading the show and rarely leaves the stage.
“Annie is a complex, tough, streetwise urchin who is surprisingly vulnerable when she thinks she might lose what has become the most important thing in her life, finding her family,” said producer John Frost.
“We’re looking for girls who are strong vocally and musically with good dance skills to play Annie. She should light up the stage when she sings Tomorrow! I can’t wait to see the terrific talent during the auditions.”
One of the most awarded and loved musicals of all time, Annie features an iconic score with 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!
Applications to audition are open until 22 August with auditions being held in October 2024. For more information, visit: www.xroadslive.com for details.
Annie plays at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from 27 March 2025. Tickets now on sale. For more information, visit: www.anniemusical.com.au for details.
Image: The Orphans in the 2012 production of Annie – photo by Jeff Busby