Annie JR.
The irrepressible comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved, award-winning musicals.
Show Essentials
25
Roles
+ Ensemble
G
Rated
1
Act

Full Synopsis

It is 3 A.M. on a chilly morning in early December 1933. Six orphans are asleep in the dormitory of the Girls' Annex of The New York City Municipal Orphanage. The orphans are Molly, the littlest, who is six; Kate, the next-to-littlest, who is seven; Tessie, the crybaby, who is ten; Pepper, the toughest, who is twelve; July, the quietest, who is thirteen; and Duffy, the biggest, who is also thirteen. Molly is just waking up from a dream and crying out for her mother. The other orphans wake up and begin arguing. Annie, who is eleven and has been up cleaning, runs in. Annie comforts Molly, who begs her to read the note that Annie's parents left when they abandoned her. Pepper reminds the group that they also left Annie one-half of a silver locket and kept the other half with a promise to reclaim her one day. Annie then pulls Molly close to her and sings about the parents she imagines, but has never known. The other orphans join her ("Maybe"). Thinking about her parents inspires Annie to run away from the orphanage to search for them. She packs a bag and is ready to leave when she is discovered by Miss Hannigan, the villainous director of the orphanage. Miss Hannigan makes all the orphans get up to scrub floors and strip the beds to "pay" for Annie's misbehavior. Their complaint that it is four o'clock in the morning fall on deaf ears. As they clean, the orphans complain about their difficult circumstances ("Hard-Knock Life").

In the morning, when Bundles McCloskey, the laundry man, comes to make a pick-up from the orphanage, the orphans take advantage of the fact he is flirting with Miss Hannigan, and sneak Annie out of the building in a laundry bag. Realizing Annie has escaped, Miss Hannigan calls for the police as the orphans celebrate ("Hard-Knock Life – Reprise").

Annie is on a street lined with tenements when she encounters a mutt being chased by dog catchers. She rescues him and sings "Tomorrow," expressing her feelings that both she and the dog have to believe everything will be fine for them in the future. When a policeman makes her prove the mutt is her dog, she names it Sandy on the spot and then calls it to come to her. The dog miraculously responds, and they become a team.

Back at the orphanage, Miss Hannigan is being tormented by the orphans. She expresses her disgust with her lot in life as the keeper of "Little Girls." The policeman arrives and returns Annie. As Miss Hannigan is threatening Annie, Grace Farrell, an attractive and well-dressed young woman, enters, carrying an attaché case. She is the private secretary to the billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, who wants to invite an orphan to his mansion for Christmas. Annie campaigns for the opportunity, but Miss Hannigan does everything in her power to discredit Annie. Grace is instantly drawn to Annie and is determined to bring her to the Warbucks mansion. She demands that Miss Hannigan sign the required papers, and then she escorts Annie to a waiting limousine. Miss Hannigan fumes as the orphans celebrate ("Little Girls – Reprise").

Grace brings Annie to Mr. Warbucks' mansion and introduces her to the servants. Annie is in awe of her new surroundings, but she is made to feel completely welcome by the staff ("I Think I'm Gonna Like it Here"). Oliver Warbucks arrives on the scene. He is a powerful figure in the country and a pivotal player in the current economic crisis. He rarely stops thinking about business and is taken aback by Annie's appearance in his house. He had expected the orphan to be a boy and is puzzled by the prospect of dealing with a little girl. Yet, almost immediately, he feels a deep connection to Annie's spunk and personality, which remind him of his own humble beginnings. Contrary to his usual behavior, he decides to take a night off. Warbucks escorts Annie to see a movie at the Roxy, then treats her to an ice cream soda and a hansom cab ride around Central Park.

As she tours New York with Warbucks and Grace, Annie sees the city in a new way ("N.Y.C.") At the end of the evening, Annie is exhausted and Warbucks carries her home. As they leave Times Square, the faithful Sandy enters and then forlornly wanders off in search of Annie.

Grace arrives at the orphanage to tell Miss Hannigan that Oliver Warbucks wants to adopt Annie. She leaves just as Miss Hannigan's brother, Rooster, arrives with his girlfriend, Lily. Rooster has come to borrow money from his sister. Miss Hannigan shares the news of Annie's pending adoption by Warbucks. The siblings lament their misfortunes ("Easy Street").

Warbucks is talking to the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt. A package from Tiffany & Co. arrives, containing a silver locket for Annie. Warbucks tells Annie that he wants to adopt her and gives her the locket. Instead of the happy response he imagined, Annie begins to weep. When he learns about her dream of finding her parents and the secret of the half-locket she has treasured for so long, he sets his own feelings aside and orders an exhaustive search for Annie's parents. Warbucks laments his loss, but is resolved to find Annie's real parents ("You Won't Be an Orphan for Long").

Annie and Warbucks are guests on the popular Bert Healy radio show ("Maybe – Reprise"). They make a plea for Annie's parents to return, and Warbucks offers $50,000 to anyone who can prove they are her mother and father.

The orphans are listening to Bert Healy's radio show and sing their own version of Bert Healy's signature song, "You're Never Fully Dressed without a Smile." Miss Hannigan, furious about Annie's good fortune, sends them out of the room. Rooster and Lily arrive, disguised as Ralph and Shirley Mudge, claiming to be Annie's parents. They reveal their identity to Miss Hannigan and share their plot to claim Annie and the $50,000 reward. Once they have the money, the trio plan to do away with Annie and live in the lap of luxury ("Easy Street – Reprise").

At the mansion, Annie and Warbucks discover that Grace has interviewed and dismissed hundreds of people claiming to be Annie's parents, but no one mentioned anything about a locket. The F.B.I. has also reported that the purchasers of the locket cannot be traced. It appears that Annie's quest cannot have a happy ending. Warbucks declares his intention to adopt Annie, and Annie accepts. Preparations are set in motion for a party to celebrate the adoption. Annie and Warbucks express their delight with the idea of becoming father and daughter ("I Don't Need Anything but You"). Just then, Rooster and Lily, disguised as Ralph and Shirley Mudge, appear with the other half of Annie's locket.

They also have Annie's birth certificate, which has been supplied by Miss Hannigan. They announce their intention to take Annie home to live with them in New Jersey. Warbucks convinces them to let Annie spend Christmas with him at the mansion. The Mudges can pick her up the next day. Rooster and Lily agree and leave. Everyone toasts Annie Mudge, but Annie breaks into tears and runs upstairs. Grace tells Warbucks that she feels she has seen Mudge before.

The next morning, Annie waits apprehensively for the Mudges to claim her ("Maybe – Second Reprise"). President Roosevelt arrives with the news that the F.B.I. has analyzed the handwriting on the note Annie's parents left behind to trace their identity. The investigation revealed that her real parents were named David and Margaret Bennett and that they are dead. The Mudges are impostors. Annie and Warbucks declare their love for each other. They realize only Miss Hannigan could have given the Mudges the locket and birth certificate. Miss Hannigan arrives with the orphans to celebrate Christmas. As the Mudges arrive to claim Annie, another communication from the F.B.I. reveals their true identities as Rooster and Lilly. Miss Hannigan tries to save herself by pretending to have no association with them and begins leading the orphans in Christmas carols. All three are hauled off to jail, and Roosevelt promises everyone that they will have a much better life in the future... a "New Deal" ("Tomorrow – Reprise"). A huge package arrives for Annie; when she opens it, Sandy jumps into her arms.

Casting
← Back to Annie JR.
Cast Size: Medium (11 to 20 performers)
Cast Type: Children
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Annie

Annie is a complex little girl. She is a tough, streetwise urchin who is nevertheless vulnerable when she thinks she might lose what has become most important to her: a newfound "family" who loves her. She has to be motherly in scene one, independent in scene two, overwhelmed in scenes four and five, needy in scene seven, and hopeful for the future in scenes ten and eleven. The actor who plays Annie must be strong vocally and musically. She must be capable of vocal projection without strain. She also needs a good understanding of subtext so she can act appropriately during the various scenes between Warbucks and Grace, and Miss Hannigan and Grace. Although she is at times aggressive or crafty, the audience should never doubt Annie is a friendly and caring child; she will go to any extent to gain the love of a family to which she can belong.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
The Orphans

Molly, Tessie, July, Duffy, Kate and Pepper. These girls are gritty, neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and potentially lovable. The actors portraying them must be able to have mischievous fun with each other as well as "sibling-style" fights. Each student should be able to create and shape her own character. Children auditioning for these roles need to have vocal strength and be visually expressive. All of their blocking and movements must appear motivated and strong. Cast these characters well and you will have won over your audience by the end of scene one.

Gender: female
Miss Hannigan

This woman is definitely a "has-been." Her distaste for her job and the children that are part of it should be obvious in every line she speaks, every song she sings and every move she makes. The student who plays her must have an excellent sense of comic timing. The acrid delivery of her lines and the torch-like rendition of her songs must distinguish her from the other characters in the show.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Grace Farrell

Grace is mature, calm, cool and "together." She is classy and businesslike when dealing with Miss Hannigan and Warbucks, yet maternal toward Annie. The student playing Grace can set herself apart from the other characters simply by the sophisticated way she walks. Grace should seem ready with an answer for just about anything. Each dramatic situation should seem to come "under control" the moment she glides into a scene. The student playing Grace must be able to negotiate the challenging intervals in "N.Y.C."

Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Rooster

Rooster and Lily are quite the team -- "team" being the operative word, as the characters play off each other constantly. You might consider casting students of contrasting heights. Rooster can even be shorter than Lily; after all, these two are not to be taken too seriously! Rooster is flashy and self-assured. His "moves" should be as smooth as a gambler's, as should be the message he sells in "Easy Street." "Easy Street" is the most challenging number in the show, in terms of vocal range. If the students playing Rooster and Lily are strong both vocally and visually, the audience will feel like joining them in "Easy Street"!

Gender: male
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Lily

Rooster and Lily are quite the team -- "team" being the operative word, as the characters play off each other constantly. You might consider casting students of contrasting heights. Rooster can even be shorter than Lily; after all, these two are not to be taken too seriously! Lily (airhead that she is) is always distracted, although she manages to pick up on any conversation involving money. She never acts as the leader, always bringing up the rear while tripping over her own feet (it is difficult to walk and check your makeup in a compact at the same time). "Easy Street" is the most challenging number in the show, in terms of vocal range. If the students playing Rooster and Lily are strong both vocally and visually, the audience will feel like joining them in "Easy Street"!

Gender: female
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Warbucks

This may be the most challenging role for a student in this age group. He must appear middle-aged, self-assured and confident. At first awkwardly affectionate toward Annie, he soon finds himself completely charmed by her. He begins his transformation when he views "N.Y.C." through Annie's eyes and falls in love with the city again...and with her. The student who plays Warbucks will need to be extremely focused throughout the show. His posture, walk and speech patterns are very important. You might ask your young actor to shave his head for rehearsals, if he feels comfortable doing so before the performance dates; it can really help mold his character!

Gender: male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Sandy

In this production, Sandy is played by a human. Sandy is Annie's canine friend and scrappy in her own right. This dog also has to sing.

Gender: any
Servants (Drake, Mrs. Greer and Mrs. Pugh)

From the moment these characters enter the acting area, their presence, posture and speech should suggest the most fastidious of domestic help. (Your actors will have fun perfecting the precision steps, nods and curtsies.) Their heads are always held high and they rarely show their emotions. These roles are not difficult to sing, and creative students will have many opportunities to create charming characters of various ages.

Gender: any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Additional Characters

The most important qualities to look for in casting the remaining roles are vocal accuracy and the ability to develop a character. Each role is self-explanatory and usually identified by the character's occupation. Help your students develop these characters in the context of the historical time period. Students that are more comfortable performing in groups (without solo singing) might be cast as servants, pedestrians, Bundles, the chauffer, Louis Howe, the apple seller and the dogcatcher. Many a career had been launched by playing an apple seller at age ten! Some students may be wonderful organizers and love to be in the middle of everything, but afraid to be onstage. They can still fill important roles in the production, as chorus members or working on a committee or on the stage crew. Remember, the cast can be as large as your imagination.

Not all these characters have audition scenes provided. Feel free to use other character's scenes to audition these roles.

Gender: any
Full Song List
Annie JR.: Maybe
Annie JR.: It's the Hard Knock Life
Annie JR.: It's the Hard Knock Life (Reprise)
Annie JR.: Tomorrow
Annie JR.: Little Girls
Annie JR.: Little Girls (Reprise)
Annie JR.: I Think I'm Gonna Like it Here
Annie JR.: NYC
Annie JR.: Easy Street
Annie JR.: You Won't Be an Orphan For Long
Annie JR.: Maybe (Reprise)
Annie JR.: You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile
Annie JR.: Easy Street (Reprise)
Annie JR.: I Don't Need Anything But You
Annie JR.: Maybe (Reprise)
Annie JR.: Tomorrow (Reprise)

Connect

Curriculum Connection

  • Writing Letters
  • The Great Depression
  • The New Deal
  • Radio Broadcasting
  • Orphanages
  • Adoption
  • Bullying
  • The History of Comic Strips

Billing

Based on "Little Orphan Annie" by permission of The Media Tribune Services, Inc.

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Production Contract, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on houseboards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.

Author Billing – ANNIE JR.

In accordance with the Dramatic Performing Rights License, all advertising, such as posters and program covers, must include the show logo as provided in the ShowKit Director's Guide and all of the following author billing.
It is a violation of your contract if you crop or edit this logo in any way.
The [Licensee]
Production of
Book by
THOMAS MEEHAN
Music by
CHARLES STROUSE
Lyrics by
MARTIN CHARNIN
Presented on Broadway by
Mike Nichols
 
Originally Produced by

Irwin Meyer

 

Stephen R. Friedman

 

Lewis Allen

 

Alvin Nederlander
Associates, Inc.
The John F. Kennedy
Center for the
Performing Arts
Icarus Productions
Based on "Little Orphan Annie"®
By Permission of The Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Video Warning

In accordance with the Performance License, you MUST include the following warning in all programs and in a pre-show announcement:
ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

If you purchase a video license to allow non-commercial video recording of this production, then you MUST include the following warning in all programs and in a pre-show announcement:
ANY VIDEO RECORDING MADE OF THIS PERFORMANCE IS AUTHORIZED FOR PERSONAL, AT-HOME, NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY. THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH RECORDING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED UNDER FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAW.

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included

Production Resources

Resource
ACTOR'S BOOK TENPACK
CUSTOMIZABLE SHOW POSTER
FAMILY MATTERS
FAMILY MATTERS (PACK OF 10)
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
LOGO PACK
LOGO PACK DIGITAL
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT MEDIUM
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT SMALL
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT X-LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT XX-LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK CHILD LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK CHILD MEDIUM
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK CHILD SMALL
SCENIC PROJECTIONS-JR ANIMATED
SCENIC PROJECTIONS-JR STILL
SUBPLOT CUSTOMIZED SHOW POSTER
THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION
VIDEO LICENSE
VIRTUAL STAGE MANAGER