IF YOU GO* What: “Annie.* When: Today through April 18.* Where: Cumberland County Playhouse, 221 Tennessee Ave., Crossville, Tenn.* Admission: $13-$24.* Phone: 931-484-5000.* Web site: www.ccplayhouse.com.BACKGROUND”Annie” is based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip “Little Orphan Annie.” It premiered at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn., in 1976, then ran on Broadway for 2,377 performances between 1977 and 1983. It was nominated for 11 Tony Awards and won seven, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. It remains one of the top 20 longest-running shows in Broadway history.
Audiences who watch her charm a fuddy-duddy millionaire, the president of the United States and her fellow orphans are likely to be putty in the hands of the star of Cumberland’s County Playhouse’s new musical.
“Annie,” the story of the smiling, little red-haired girl and her search for her parents, returns to the Crossville, Tenn., theater today for the first time in 11 years. According to producing director Jim Crabtree, the production “is even stronger now” and “really packs a musical and theatrical wallop.”
“The authors keep improving the show as they work on it for national tours and revivals,” he said, “so it’s very fresh and fun.”
He said members of the theater’s present professional company — including former Chattanoogan Jason Ross as Daddy Warbucks — are “just right” for the musical’s adult roles, and “two terrific young ladies” — Emily Swafford and Olivia Hoyt — are sharing the title role.