By Kym Brown
The opening night performance of the beloved musical Annie at QPAC was a beautiful way to kick off the new year. The foyers were full of young people dressed in gorgeous outfits, buzzing with excitement as they grabbed buckets of popcorn and frozen drinks. A few parents were overheard mentioning that this was their child’s first viewing of a musical and if this production achieves nothing else, bringing in new audiences is a truly wonderful thing. As someone whose first introduction to musical theatre was the 1986 film version, Annie holds a very special place in many hearts.
Annie premiered on Broadway in 1977 with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin and book by Thomas Meehan and was based on the 1924 comic strip Little Orphan Annie by Harold Gray. Annie is set in New York City during the Great Depression, centering on an optimistic orphan named Annie who believes her parents will one day return for her. She lives in a harsh orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan, but Annie’s hopeful spirit sets her apart and she assumes leadership and care of the other orphan girls. When she is chosen to spend Christmas with wealthy businessman Oliver Warbucks, her life changes dramatically. Warbucks is initially uncomfortable around her, assuming all orphans are boys, yet Annie’s honesty and warmth slowly win him over, and he becomes a father figure to her.
While staying at Warbucks’s mansion, Annie experiences a world of luxury and kindness she has never known, warmly welcomed by Warbucks’ staff led by his personal assistant Miss Grace Farrell and butler Drake. Annie travels to Washington DC with Warbucks and meets President Roosevelt, helping to inspire a change of perspective for the leadership of the country. When Warbucks attempts to adopt Annie, he discovers her desire to be reunited with her long-lost parents. Warbucks enlists the FBI and offers a reward to anyone who can reunite Annie with her parents. This attracts the attention of Miss Hannigan, her scheming brother Rooster, and his partner Lily St Regis, who plot to impersonate Annie’s parents to steal the reward money. The President, the FBI, along with Warbucks and his staff manage to dig up the truth about
Annie’s parents and catch the schemers before anything nefarious can happen. Annie is beyond delighted to stay with Warbucks and the new family begin their next chapter together.
This production was a stunning rendition of this beloved story, full of energy, pace, humour, care – but not enough Sandy the dog! Featuring a full orchestra and a hard- working ensemble, Annie harks back to the golden age of musical theatre and from the moment the overture begins, you are swept up in the glamour of it all. Kenneth Foy’s set design fills the lyric stage splendidly and pairs expertly with projections by Craig Wilkinson that help move the story and smoothly transition between locations. The orphanage set is completely in gray tones and almost swallows the equally gray-clad children in the opening scenes. However, the contrast of Warbucks’ Fifth Avenue mansion, in sumptuous creams, golds and greens, perfectly does its job of taking your breath away. Paired with wonderful period costumes by Kristian Fredrikson with very deliberate colour palettes that hark back to the 1986 film version, the show is a visual treat.
The highlight is the many wonderful musical dance numbers throughout the show. Mitchell Woodcock’s choreography is excellent, melding period-appropriate movements with contemporary moments that are flawlessly executed by the entire cast. Special mention to the ensemble numbers “N.Y.C” and “I Think I’m Gunna Like It Here” which showcases Amanda Lea Lavergne’s charming portrayal of Warbucks’ secretary, Grace Farrell. The trio of Miss Hannigan (Debora Krizak), Rooster (Keanu Gonzalez) and Lily St Regis (Mackenzie Dunn) provide delightful comic relief – as well as being the villains of the story – and are not outdone with their powerhouse performance of “Easy Street”. The rousing rendition of President Roosevelt (Greg Page, yes, the OG Wiggle) and his advisors taking up Annie’s anthem of “Tomorrow” was vocal highlight of the show. However, the prize goes to the orphans who brought the house down with “It’s A Hard Knock Life” and “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile”, both numbers full of incredible energy, precision and pizzazz.
The entire cast do a wonderful job in their various roles, and while we all adored Anthony Warlow’s delightful portrayal of Oliver Warbucks, it is the young cast in the roles of Annie and the Orphans who absolutely steal the show. Their level of precision, energy and talent is equal to the seasoned adults alongside them. The role of Annie is shared by three young performers who are touring around Australia with the company and on opening night, we saw Isabella Hayden shine in the titular role. The six orphans sharing the stage were Macy Salvana, Aubrie Wildman, Sienna Hannant, Aenorah Wallace, Claire Taylor and Kensi Simpson – all local Brisbane performers and all adored and celebrated by the opening night audience.
Annie is brilliantly beautiful production of a beloved tale and is gorgeously presented in this touring production. Adults and children alike will thoroughly enjoy this incredibly precise, energetic and heartfelt show, playing at QPAC, Brisbane until the end of January.
WHAT: Annie
WHERE: Lyric Theatre, QPAC
WHEN: Until January 31, 2026
TICKETS: Get your tickets to Annie here
