The University of Central Arkansas Reynolds Performance Hall presents the all-new tour of the Tony Award®-winning “Annie” on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
“This show, with its iconic title character, continues to delight generations of theatre lovers old and new by joyfully singing directly into the face of great adversity with perseverance, guts and guile,” said Director Jenn Thompson. “For decades, ‘Annie’ has continued to shine brightly, not only as an appeal to our better angels but also as an example of the thrill of hope, hard-won: promising a better ‘Tomorrow’ not only for Annie herself but for all who need her message now more than ever.”
“Annie” includes such unforgettable songs as “Maybe,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You” and the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.”
Public Appearances Executive Director Amanda Horton said, “We are bringing the world’s most popular orphan to our stage for one night of “Annie”! This musical production will include all of the big choreographed numbers, a cast of talented kids and even a rowdy runaway dog. All ages can appreciate this story of Annie’s search for unconditional love and finding it where she least expects it.”
The original production of “Annie” had its world premiere on Aug. 10, 1976, at the Goodspeed Opera House (Michael J. Price, Executive Director) and opened on Broadway on April 21, 1977, at the Alvin Theatre (Neil Simon Theatre). It went on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Cast Show Album and seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin). It closed on Broadway after playing 2,377 performances. “Annie” was revived on Broadway in 1997 and again in 2014. It has been made into a film three times (1982, 1999, 2014) and was most recently featured as a live television production on NBC. The show remains one of the biggest Broadway musical hits ever; it has been performed in 28 languages and has been running somewhere around the world for 45 years.
Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. “Annie” has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in this new production – just as you remember it and just when we need it most. This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way.
Tickets range from $30-$50 for adults and $10 for children/students. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Reynolds Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., online at uca.edu/reynolds or by calling UCA Ticket Central at (501) 450-3265 or toll-free at (866) 810-0012.
