Paternostro Joins ANNIE at Musical Theatre West

Due to a scheduling conflict, previously announced David Engel has withdrawn from MTW's upcoming production of ANNIE starring Andrea McArdle as Miss Hannigan.  Engel will be replaced by Michael Paternostro (Broadway:  A Chorus Line, Fosse, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Sweet Smell of Success, Film:  Every Little Step) as Rooster Hannigan.  Musical Theatre West audiences will remember Paternostro's Ovation Award winning turn as Carmen Ghia in THE PRODUCERS, a role he also played on the national tour.
 
ANNIE previews October 29th and runs October 30th through November 14, 2010 at the beautiful 1070-seat Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.  Musical Theatre West Artistic Director/Producer Steven Glaudini directs with musical direction by Daniel Thomas and choreography by Roger Castellano.
 
ANNIE tickets may be purchased online at www.musical.org or by phone at 562-856-1999 x4.  Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Musical Theatre West Box Office located at 4350 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90804 from noon to 6PM Monday through Friday.
 
Based on the long-running Tribune Media Service Comic Strip, Little Orphan Annie, which just ended its run this past June, ANNIE is the story of a spunky depression-era orphan determined to find the parents who abandoned her on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie, along with Sandy, her trusty canine companion, foils Miss Hannigan's cruel machinations, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family in the home of billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Winner of nine Tony Awards--including Best Musical, ANNIE's bright and tuneful score, has long since become a part of our nation's cultural heritage and includes the songs "It's a Hard-Knock Life," "Maybe," "Tomorrow, " and the show-stopping " You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile."   ANNIE opened at the Alvin Theatre on April 21, 1977. The New York production ran for 2,377 performances, making it the third longest running musical of the 1970s. In 1982, the heavily revised movie version was released starring Albert Finney, Aileen Quinn, Ann Reinking, and Carol Burnett.

ANNIE is written by Tony Award-winners, Thomas Meehan (Book), Charles Strouse (Music) and Martin Charnin (Lyrics).

The performance schedule for ANNIE is Thursdays and through Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. (note: no 2pm performance on 10/30 with a 7pm performance added 11/7.)   Tickets start at $30 with last row seating available at an additional discount.
There is a $3 service charge per ticket.  Prices are subject to change without notice.  Group rates are available for 15 or more.  Musical Theatre West performs at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center located at 6200 E. Atherton Street, Long Beach, CA 90815.

ANNIE is the first show of Musical Theatre West's 2010-2011 Season, and is made possible through the generous contributions of   Honorary Producers Arlene Solomon and Sidney Schulman and Associate Producers Don and Terry Marté Greco.

Musical Theatre West 2010-2011 Season Sponsors are the Ackerman Family/Evalyn M. Bauer Foundation and Ken and Dottie Reiner.

For more information on Musical Theatre West's production of ANNIE, please visit www.musical.org.