Annie

The Broward Center and Broadway Across America in association with Troika Entertainment opened the new tour of the classic 1977 musical "Annie" in the Au Rene Theater on October 7.

"Annie" is one of the most beloved Broadway musicals and currently holds the record as the 13th longest running show on Broadway. The musical has seen two Broadway revivals since its original production as well as two films with a third film opening this coming Christmas season.

This show is based on the popular comic strip "Little Orphan Annie" which was a staple of newspapers in the '30s and '40s. Composer Charles Strouse and lyricist Martin Charnin along with book writer Thomas Meehan pulled the character out of the comic strip and onto the Broadway stage.

The musical gave us several hit show tunes including "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile," "Maybe," "Little Girls" and the classic "Tomorrow." The original production won seven Tony awards.

This current incarnation of "Annie" very much resembles the origins, directed by original lyricist Charnin and is faithful to its initial concept in practically every way. The choreography by Liza Gennaro was simple and effective.

The cast of this current tour features several very strong singers. Of particular note is Lynn Andrews in the role of Miss Hannigan. Andrews has big shoes to fill: this role was created by Dorothy Loudon and has been played by several big names over the course of its 35 years including Nell Carter, Martha Raye, Betty Hutton and Carol Burnett.

Andrews' performance holds up well against the competition. She shakes her ample form around the stage with evil abandon and belts out the high notes with the best of them. She's so evil that you can't help but like her.

In the role of Daddy Warbucks Gilgamesh Taggett was one of the highlights of the evening. Taggett is a fine singer and has the perfect look for this role. He's settled into this character beautifully and gave us some of the best singing of the evening.

In the title role, native Floridian Issie Swickle does a great job. While her voice is not as rich as that of Andrea McArdle, the role's creator, it is a fine voice that rings out loud, clear and consistently on pitch. She has the look and the character down pat and she charms the audience from the moment she steps onto the stage.

In the role of Rooster Hannigan, the villainous brother of Miss Hannigan, Garrett Deagon gave a memorable performance. His tall lanky frame made his dancing one of the highlights of the evening. As Lily St. Regis, Rooster's cohort Lucy Werner was cute playing the dumb blonde.

In the role of Grace Farrell, the assistant to Warbucks, Ashley Edler was a blonde delight with a lilting soprano voice. As Molly, the youngest of the orphans, Lily Mae Stewart with her mop of curly hair and spunky personality drew the audience's attention each time she came on stage.

When we look at "Annie" 35 years later, it is obvious the show has aged. The show contains musical references to Jimmy Durante and Bing Crosby, both of whom were still alive when the show opened and still major stars but are now just pieces of history that the younger generation doesn't recognize. Many members of the audiences in 1977 might have directly experienced and lived through the Great Depression, but in 2012 for the majority of the audience that time period is just a chapter in a history book.

"Annie" has gone from being a nostalgia trip for adults to a show starring children and geared towards children, but with that is also the chance that one of the kids in the audience will decide to pick up a book and learn about the '20s and '30s and the events that helped create "Annie" in the first place.

"Annie" runs through Oct. 19 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. For tickets and information, call 954-462-0222 or visit browardcenter.org.