ANNIE Now Playing at The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood

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PHOTO: Matthew Murphy/Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made | South Pasadenan News | Ellie Pulsifer as Annie with Addison as Sandy in the 2022 national tour of "Annie"

This week saw the L.A. return of the Broadway classic “ANNIE” – an all-new touring production, which premiered at the Dolby Theatre. There was a terrific energy in the theatre, which was filled with hundreds of theatregoers, many of whom are lifelong fans of “Annie”, and many for whom this was their first experience in the theatre! Families galore, indeed! “Annie” is quickly becoming the family live entertainment destination for the Holiday Season!

Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time has returned in this new production – just as you remember it and just when we need it most. This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way.

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PHOTO: Matthew Murphy/Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made | South Pasadenan News | Ellie-Pulsifer and Christopher Swan in the 2022 company of
ANNIE.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing such a fresh, new and heartfelt production to audiences across North America starting this fall,” says Executive Producer, Kori Prior. “This show, with its iconic title character, continues to delight generations of theatre-lovers old and new by joyfully singing directly into the face of great adversity with perseverance, guts and guile,” says director Jenn Thompson. “For decades, “Annie” has continued to shine brightly, not only as an appeal to our better angels, but also as an example of the thrill of hope, hard-won: promising a better ‘Tomorrow’ not only for Annie herself, but for all who need her message now more than ever.”

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ANNIE is directed by Jenn Thompson, who at the age of 10 stepped into the role of “Pepper” in the Original Broadway production, choreographed by Patricia Wilcox, with orchestrations by Dan DeLange. Talitha Fehr is the Music Coordinator and Elaine Davidson is the Music Director.

In the title role of Annie is Ellie Pulsifer, a 12-year-old actress from South Florida, making her tour debut. Christopher Swan stars as Oliver Warbucks. In the role of Miss Hannigan is Stefanie Londino. Also starring in the tour are Julia Nicole Hunter as Grace, Nick Bernardi as Rooster, Krista Curry as Lily and Mark Woodard as FDR. Addison, a stray mutt rescued by William Berloni through the Humane Society in 2017, stars as Sandy. The lovable mutt “Sandy” is once again trained by Tony Award®Honoree William Berloni. The Orphans are Riglee Ruth Bryson, Bronte Harrison, Vivianne Neely, Izzy Pike, Kenzie Rees and Valeria Velasco. The featured ensemble includes Kolten Bell, Bradley Ford Betros, Luther Brooks IV, Harrison Drake, Laura Elizabeth Flanagan, Jataria Heyward, Carly Ann Moore, Kevin Ivey Morrison, Leeanna Rubin, Andrew Scoggin, Sophie Stromberg and Kaley Were.

“Annie” features a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. All three authors received 1977 Tony Awards® for their work. The original production of “Annie”  opened on Broadway on April 21, 1977 at the Alvin Theatre (Neil Simon theatre). It went on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Cast Show Album and seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score. The show remains one of the biggest Broadway musical hits ever; it has been performed in 28 languages and has been running somewhere around the world for 45 years!

“Annie” runs through December 18, 2022 at The Dolby Theatre located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd in Los Angeles. Tickets start at $39 and are available at BroadwayInHollywood.com or Ticketmaster.com, by phone: 1-800-982-2787 or in person at Hollywood Pantages Theatre Box Office. Visit website for current box office hours. Children under 5 will not be admitted to the theatre. Runtime is 2 hours and 30 minutes including intermission.