BWW CD Reviews: ANNIE (The New 2012 Broadway Cast Recording) is High-Spirited and Gladdening

When Annie first opened on Broadway in 1977, it was filled with sage advice that the city needed to hear. New York City was teetering on The Edge of perilous bankruptcy, but this plucky little orphan girl reminded audiences that there would always be a tomorrow worth waiting for. The 2012 revival of Annie opened in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, and as the nation braced itself for the possibility of another Great Depression like the one the spirited orphan smiles through with her beloved and well-known anthems, the themes of remaining cheerful and overcoming adversity struck a chord with audiences again. That infectious joyful charisma is perfectly preserved on Annie (The New 2012 Broadway Cast Recording).

The popular musical is based on Harold Gray's Little Orphan Annie comic strip, and tells the story of a New York orphan who dreams of finding her parents. Grace Farrell, Oliver Warbucks' faithful secretary, plucks her out of obscurity from the Municipal Girls Orphanage run by Miss Hannigan. At first, Warbucks is upset to find an orphan in his home, but hesitantly begins to warm up to the young girl. Warbucks fears that he wouldn't be able to raise her well as he knows nothing about children, but he decides to parent her until her real parents can be found. Warbucks offers a cash reward to the real parents of little orphan Annie, and Miss Hannigan, her brother Rooster, and Rooster's girlfriend Lily devise a plan to get that their grimy hands on that money.

Starring as the iconic Annie, Lilla Crawford imbues the spunky kid with a sincerely brash and brassy bravado. I grew up with the 1982 film, so her heavier vocals took getting used to because in the film Aileen Quinn sang the score with an airy, lithe sweetness. However, by the end of "Maybe," I was completely sold, and Lilla Crawford had entirely won me over. Her voice shines radiantly across the album, bringing the catchy music to a whole new generation of children who will grow up singing these inspiring and classic songs with her. Her renditions of "Maybe," "Tomorrow," "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here," and "I Don't Need Anything But You" are sure to entertain and beguile.

Anthony Warlow sings the stalwart and stoic Oliver Warbucks with zeal and heartwarming charisma. He makes "N.Y.C," "You Won't Be an Orphan for Long/Finale Act One," "I Don't Need Anything But You," and "A New Deal for Christmas" gratifying and enchanting. However, his dazzling version of "Something Was Missing" is exceedingly delightful and heartfelt. The touching tenderness of his vocals and the change his character experiences make this song blithely leap into and resonate in the hearts of listeners.

Katie Finneran excellently voices the villainous Miss Hannigan. She comes across as less vile than Carol Burnett did in the film, creating a more sympathetically human character. She tones down the malignant insolence, tingeing her characterization and vocals with a desperate hopelessness. This is most apparent on her bold, belty rendition of "Little Girls."

As a brilliant bonus, the album also includes Jane Lynch singing "Little Girls," "Little Girls (Reprise)," and "Easy Street." Her vocalization of Miss Hannigan is distinctly different from Katie Finneran, and sparkles with a angst-laden maliciousness that reminds us of a cross between Carol Burnett's take on the role and Jane Lynch's own Coach Sue Sylvester from FOX's GLEE.

Brynn O'Malley as Grace Farrell, Clarke Thorell as Rooster Hannigan, and J. Elaine Marcos as Lily St. Regis all do fantastic jobs with their parts and their disparate characters. Likewise, the ensemble fleshes out the album making songs like "We'd Like to Thank You Herbert Hoover," with its fascinating socio-political commentary, "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here," "N.Y.C.," and "A New Deal for Christmas" excellent listens.

The integrity of the album comes from the opulent and reverential treatment of Charles Strouse's cherished score, with Orchestrations by Michael Starobin, Doug Besterman, and Alex Lacamoire and Dance Arrangements by Alex Lacamoire. This team and the orchestra, under the baton of Todd Ellison, ensure that the score is wholly familiar and presented with all of its memorable grandeur on the recording. From the astounding trumpet solo at the top of the "Overture" to the final swell of "Bows," nothing seems amiss, capturing the hearts of newcomers to the show and those of us familiar with other incarnations.

ANNIE (The New 2012 Broadway Cast Recording) is high-spirited and gladdening. This recording delivers everything it promises and is sure to bring a smile to the face of listeners. It is Produced for Records by Thomas Z. Shepard, Douglas Denoff, and Dennis J. Grimaldi. It was Recorded on March 3, 4, and 11, 2013 at KAS Music & Sound in Astoria, New York and the Jane Lynch tracks were recorded April 8, 2013 at Entourage Studios, Los Angeles, California. Charles Harbutt served as Recording and Mixing Engineer, with Bernard Fox and Brian Losch as Engineering Assistants. The album was Mixed at Long Tail Audio, New York City, New York and Mastered by Andreas Meyer at Meyer Media, Long Island City, New York.

ANNIE (The New 2012 Broadway Cast Recording) was released digitally on May 28, 2013. Digital copies can be purchased at iTunes and Amazon. Physical copies were released on June 18, 2013 and are available anywhere music is sold.

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Image courtesy of SHOUT Broadway.