By Charles Baran

Leapin’ Lizards! Annie’s back in town and isn’t it great! The musical Annie, based on the original 1924 comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” and loved by old and young for many generations is currently on stage at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts through October 22, 2023.

If you’re looking for a great time in the theater, don’t miss it. With a tuneful and memorable score by Charles Strouse (Bye Bye Birdie, Applause), and Martin Charnin (Emmy, Tony and Grammy award winner), a clever book by Thomas Meehan (The Producers, Hairspray) you’ll be sure to leave the theater humming the tunes and laughing at Miss Hannigan’s clever one-liners. And couldn’t we all use a bit of that now?

The stellar cast led by Rainer Trevino, a perky but not obnoxious Annie, Stefanie Londino, a hysterical and spot-on Miss Hannigan and Christopher Swan perfect as the billionaire Oliver Warbucks with a heart of gold, bring a freshness to such memorable songs such as Tomorrow, It’s the Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, and NYC.  Directed in the style of the great Golden Age musicals by Jenn Thompson who played Pepper in the original 1977 Broadway production, with choreography by Patricia Wilcox (Motown the Musical), this production sparkles and shines all the way to back row of the 2,700 seat Au Rene Theater.

The story, about a little orphan girl living in Miss Hannigan’s run-down orphanage who runs away in search of her long-lost parents, is one of hope, struggle and determination with an ending that satisfies even the hardened theater goers among us. I guaranty the first time Annie’s fluffy canine Sandy runs across the stage into Annie’s waiting arms you’ll be riveted for the remainder of this 2 hour and 20-minute production.

If you are looking for a way to start the holiday season off with a bang, grab a ticket or two to Annie. You won’t be disappointed.  For tickets visit www.BrowardCenter.org