Annie
Broadway musical
The beloved story of an orphan girl and her dreams coming true.
About This Theme
Annie is a feel-good musical that has been charming audiences since 1977. The story of a plucky orphan who believes tomorrow will be better resonates with young dancers, and the ensemble-heavy songs give your whole cast a chance to shine. Hard Knock Life is one of the best ensemble numbers in musical theater - it is fun to choreograph, exciting to watch, and gives your younger dancers meaty material to work with.
Why This Theme Works
Tomorrow is an anthem of hope that audiences love. The contrast between the orphanage (gray, dreary] and the Warbucks mansion (opulent] gives you two distinct visual worlds. Hard Knock Life lets you incorporate props - mops, brooms, buckets - into the choreography. Young dancers love the physical comedy, and the song's energy is infectious.
Age Groups & Casting
Key Roles & Characters
Song Suggestions
Costume Ideas
Orphans wear shabby dresses in muted colors with aprons. Annie's red dress and curly red hair are iconic - a wig or styled hair piece works well.
Miss Hannigan is over-the-top - think faded glamor, perhaps a housecoat and rollers. Daddy Warbucks needs suits (start austere, end warmer]. Grace is elegantly dressed throughout.
The mansion servants contrast with the orphanage - crisp, clean uniforms. Easy Street (Rooster and Lily] calls for flashy, slightly tacky outfits.
Staging & Set Ideas
The orphanage needs to feel dreary - gray tones, simple bunks or cots suggested. Buckets and mops for Hard Knock Life.
The Warbucks mansion contrasts dramatically - rich colors, elegant drapes, perhaps a grand staircase (even a small one transforms the space]. The radio station for Tomorrow can be simple with a microphone stand as the focus.
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