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Elizabeth Bennett, Heidi, Nancy Drew, Pippi Longstocking, Madeline and Eloise are all spunky heroines who hold a special place in our hearts. We love their self-confidence, their natural curiousity and their ability to win over people who disapprove and want them to act more demure.
Another member of this go get 'em girls' club is the red-head with face-framing curls, Little Orphan Annie. She was created in 1925 by Greens Farms, Connecticut artist Harold Gray (1894-1968) as a newspaper comic strip. Pairing her spunky personality with a quirky adopted family Annie becomes part of (Daddy Warbucks, his wife, Sandy the rescued dog and Warbucks's unusual staff) tickled millions of readers. The strip was so popular that even after Gray's death, other artists took it over. Its final installment was published this past June.
Just as Little Orphan Annie was a beloved comic strip, "Annie," the musical based on it, generates an equal amount of emotion. It opened on Broadway in 1977 and promptly won seven Tony Awards. Among the actors who through the years have appeared in the show are Sarah Jessica Parker, Alyssa Milano, Molly Ringwald and Andrea McCardle. The endearing characters and a vivacious and touching score (music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin) and book (by Thomas Meehan) have placed it in the Broadway musical pantheon. See for yourself how this plucky little orphan conquers the world when Curtain Call presents "Annie" from November 12 through December 18. Performances are Thursdays through Sundays. Tickets are $14-$28. This girl will not only win you over, she'll knock you out. For more information and to order tickets, visit Curtain Call's website.
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