Today we are continuing BroadwayWorld's 2013 Tony Awards Clip Countdown with a special spotlight focused on a beloved seven-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical, ANNIE!
Easy Street
While the road to Broadway for the original 1977 production of ANNIE, based on the classic cartoon strip LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE, may have been a troubled and troublesome one - including the creators replacing the actress portraying the title character (Kristen Vigard) out of town and making other major changes - the risks and headaches paid off handsomely when ANNIE at last opened on Broadway and took the Street by storm, winning critical raves and eventually running nearly seven years. For a while, the iconic "Tomorrow" was almost everywhere, it seemed. ANNIE lead Andrea McArdle and the Miss Hannigan of Dorothy Loudon faced off in the Best Actress category at that year's Tony Awards ceremony - unfairly so, many would argue, given the prominence of their respective roles in the show - with Loudon eventually taking home top honors. Still, Annie gets to sing "Tomorrow" every night! Awards also went to Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin for Best Score and Charnin for Best Book as well as the respective artists winning for Best Choreography, Scenic Design and Costume Design at that year's ceremony.
Since the original production, a thirty-year anniversary revival returned to the Great White Way in 1997 with popular star Nell Carter as Miss Hannigan, following a nationwide search for a new Annie to star as the title orphan, with the part eventually going to Brittny Kissinger. Of course, the show itself has become a mainstay of schools and community theaters around the globe since the '70s, with hundreds of productions popping up each and every year, even now. In the interim - and away from Broadway '77 until '13 - major West End and Australian mountings have popped up, as well - the latter featuring future Broadway Daddy Warbucks, Anthony Warlow, on more than a few occasions, as a matter of fact - but, to many, Broadway is where ANNIE truly belongs (there's even a song about it, "N.Y.C."). And, now, with the new James Lapine-directed revival, fans have gotten their wish - and the show itself has been nominated for Best Revival Of A Musical.
Indeed, the 2013 edition of the children's classic is now available for all to attend, with none other than GLEE star Jane Lynch having recently replaced original revival Miss Hannigan, two-time Tony Award winner Katie Finneran, for a special spell. Also: Charismatic Lilla Crawford remains as Annie.
Once again, N.Y.C. has got ANNIE!
The 2013 Tony Awards air Sunday, June 9, at 8 PM on CBS. More information is available at the official site here.Tomorrow
So, let's look at some of the most memorable Tony Awards moments related to ANNIE - and perhaps a surprise or two, too!
First up, enjoy this extensive medley of show-stoppers from ANNIE as performed by the original cast, featuring Andrea McArdle and Dorothy Loudon, on the 1977 Tony Awards.
Next, here is a look at the 1997 revival of ANNIE, starring Nell Carter as Miss Hannigan and Brittny Kissinger as Annie, as performed on that year's Tony Awards.
Now, take a peek at the 2013 revival of ANNIE, directed by James Lapine.
Australian superstar Anthony Warlow discusses making his Broadway debut in ANNIE in this recent interview clip.
As a special bonus, enjoy HANGOVER star Zach Galifianakis lipsynching to the unforgettable ANNIE anthem "Tomorrow" as part of an act - much like he famously did on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE last year.
So, what makes ANNIE such a timeless classic, in your estimation? Is it the colorful characters, charming songs, alluring atmosphere or the combination of it all? Whatever it is, thanks to the revival of the musical currently on Broadway, a whole new generation will be exposed to ANNIE's many charms.
.png)
.png)
