The Brat Is Back On Broadway
A revival of the perennially popular musical “Annie” opened last night on Broadway at the Palace Theatre. With a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, the show this time around is directed by James Lapine. It stars Katie Finneran as Miss Hannigan, Anthony Warlow as ‘Daddy’ Warbucks and Lilla Crawford as the orphan of the title. The reviews this morning vary from positive to mixed to negative.
Many of the reviews point out that a musical set in the Great Depression of 1933 is appropriate for revival at a time when New York City has experienced the effects of Hurricane Sandy and the nation’s economy is still in recovery mode. Much is also made of the fact that Annie’s dog, like the storm, is also named Sandy.
As for the actors, Mr. Warlow and Miss Crawford generally received very good notices, while Ms. Finneran was often criticized for her Miss Harrigan, even in reviews that otherwise liked the rest of the production. Nobody can compete with Dorothy Loudon’s stamp on the original.
