The scene opens on a morning in early December 1933. The Orphans, including Molly, Kate, Tessie, Pepper, July and Duffy are sleeping in the girl's annex of The New York City Municipal Orphanage. Molly is just waking up from a dream and crying out for her mother. The other orphans wake up and begin arguing. Annie, who is eleven, comforts Molly, who begs her to read a note that Annie's parents left when they abandoned her. Pepper reminds the group that they also left Annie one-half of a silver locket and kept the other half with a promise to reclaim her one day. Annie pulls Molly close and sings about the parents she imagines, but has never known. The other Orphans join her ("Maybe"). Thinking about her parents inspires Annie to run away from the orphanage and search for them. She packs a bag and starts to leave when the villainous director of the orphanage, Miss Hannigan, discovers her. Miss Hannigan makes all the Orphans get up to scrub floors and strip beds to "pay" for Annie's misbehavior. As they clean, they complain about the difficult circumstances ("It's the Hard-Knock Life").
In the morning, Bundles, the laundry man, comes to make a pick-up from the orphanage. As Bundles is talking, Annie sneaks into the laundry bag.
Annie is on the streets of NYC when she encounters a stray dog being chased by dogcatchers. She rescues him and expresses her feelings that everything will be fine in the future ("Tomorrow"). When a policeman, Lt. Ward, makes her prove the mutt is her dog, she names him Sandy on the spot and calls the dog to come to her, which – miraculously – he does.
Back at the orphanage, Miss Hannigan expresses her disgust with her lot in life ("Little Girls") just before Lt. Ward returns with the runaway orphan. As Miss Hannigan is threatening Annie, Grace Farrell arrives at the orphanage to tell Ms. Hannigan that Oliver Warbucks wants to invite an orphan to his mansion for Christmas. Grace leaves just as Miss Hannigan's brother, Rooster, arrives with his girlfriend, Lily St. Regis. She shares the news of Annie's pending holiday visit with Warbucks. Rooster, Miss Hannigan and Lily lament their misfortunes ("Easy Street").
Grace brings Annie to the Warbucks mansion and introduces her to the Servants. Annie is in awe of her new surroundings, but she is made to feel completely welcome by Drake and the staff.
As she tours New York City with Warbucks and Grace, she sees the city in a new way ("N.Y.C.") Back at the mansion, Warbucks explains that he would like to adopt Annie. Instead of a happy response, Annie begins to cry. When he learns about her dream of finding her parents and the secret of the half-locket, he promises to search for Annie's parents.
Annie and Warbucks are guests on the Bert Healy radio show, "Hour of Smiles." They make a plea for Annie's parents to return, and Warbucks offers $50,000 to anyone who can prove they are her mother and father. The Orphans are listening to Bert Healy's radio show and sing their own version of the radio theme ("You're Never Fully Dressed without a Smile").
Back at the mansion, Grace has interviewed more than a thousand people claiming to be Annie's parents, but none of them know about the locket, so Warbucks declares his intent to adopt Annie, and Annie accepts. Just then, Drake leads in Rooster and Lily, disguised as Ralph and Shirley Mudge. They appear with the other half of the locket and the birth certificate, announcing their intentions to take Annie home to live with them in New Jersey. Warbucks convinces them to let Annie spend Christmas with him at the mansion, telling them that they may pick up Annie and the check the next day. Grace tells Warbucks that she believes she has seen Mr. Mudge somewhere before.
The next morning, Annie waits apprehensively for the Mudges to claim her ("Maybe – Reprise"). President Roosevelt arrives with the news that the F.B.I. has discovered that Annie's real parents were named David and Margaret Bennett, and they passed away a long time ago. The Mudges are imposters. As Miss Hannigan arrives with the Orphans to celebrate Christmas, Warbucks uncovers the Mudge's true identities. Louis Howe, the president's aide, hauls off Rooster, Lily and Miss Hannigan. Roosevelt declares that this Christmas is going to be the beginning of a wonderful new life... "A New Deal" ("Tomorrow – Reprise").
Annie
Annie is a complex, tough, streetwise urchin who is surprisingly vulnerable when she thinks she might lose what has become most important to her: her newfound "family." Cast an excellent actress who can act motherly, independent, overwhelmed and hopeful. She should be strong vocally and musically and be able to light up the stage in "Tomorrow!"
Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Molly
The Orphans are gritty girls that are neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and lovable. Cast girls that can have "mischievous" fun together, as well as "sibling style" fights. Each actress should be able to shape her own specific character, be a good singer and visually expressive. Molly is the littlest at age 6.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: A3
Kate
The Orphans are gritty girls that are neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and lovable. Cast girls that can have "mischievous" fun together, as well as "sibling style" fights. Each actress should be able to shape her own specific character, be a good singer and visually expressive. Kate is the next-to-youngest at age 7.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Tessie
The Orphans are gritty girls that are neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and lovable. Cast girls that can have "mischievous" fun together, as well as "sibling style" fights. Each actress should be able to shape her own specific character, be a good singer and visually expressive. Tessie is the cry baby at age 11.
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Pepper
The Orphans are gritty girls that are neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and lovable. Cast girls that can have "mischievous" fun together, as well as "sibling style" fights. Each actress should be able to shape her own specific character, be a good singer and visually expressive. Pepper is the toughest at age 12.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: C4
July
The Orphans are gritty girls that are neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and lovable. Cast girls that can have "mischievous" fun together, as well as "sibling style" fights. Each actress should be able to shape her own specific character, be a good singer and visually expressive. July is the quietest at age 13.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Duffy
The Orphans are gritty girls that are neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and lovable. Cast girls that can have "mischievous" fun together, as well as "sibling style" fights. Each actress should be able to shape her own specific character, be a good singer and visually expressive. Duffy is the oldest at age 13.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Miss Hannigan
Miss Hannigan is a definite "has-been." Her distaste for her job should ooze from every line she delivers. Cast a strong actress with excellent comic timing. She must have a strong versatile singing voice and be able to create a character that is larger than life.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Grace Farrell
Grace Farrell is Oliver Warbucks's calm, cool and classy secretary. She appears businesslike when dealing with Miss Hannigan and Warbucks, yet maternal toward Annie. Cast an actress that can always appear "in control" and sophisticated. She has a small solo at the beginning of "N.Y.C." This is a great feature part for an actress who is likable, sweet and confident.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: D4
Rooster Hannigan
Rooster Hannigan and Lily St. Regis are the comic team who claim to be Annie's parents but are revealed to be Miss Hannigan's swindling brother and his sleazy girlfriend in disguise. These characters play off each other constantly. Consider casting performers of contrasting heights. The flashy, self-assured Rooster can even be shorter than his airhead accomplice, Lily. Cast a boy for Rooster that can convincingly pull off the "smooth gambler" persona, and vocally and physically handle "Easy Street." Consider auditioning these roles together to cast the perfect duo.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: G3
Lily St. Regis
Rooster Hannigan and Lily St. Regis are the comic team who claim to be Annie's parents but are revealed to be Miss Hannigan's swindling brother and his sleazy girlfriend in disguise. These characters play off each other constantly. Consider casting performers of contrasting heights. The flashy, self-assured Rooster can even be shorter than his airhead accomplice, Lily. Lily is a perfect role for an actress who is naturally funny, has a good sense of timing and is a strong singer. Consider auditioning these roles together to cast the perfect duo.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Oliver Warbucks
Oliver Warbucks is the daunting millionaire who made his fortune during World War I as an industrialist. This is a challenging role, so cast an actor that can appear middle-aged, self-assured and confident. In the beginning, Warbucks is awkwardly affectionate toward Annie and then finds himself completely charmed by her. Cast an actor who is focused and gently authoritative. His few solos in "N.Y.C." are secondary to the character commitment as an actor.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Sandy
Sandy is the stray dog that Annie adopts. Sandy has no lines but has the capability of earning spontaneous applause when he sings "Tomorrow" with Annie!
Gender: any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: F4
Drake And Servants
Drake and the Servants are the loyal domestic help of Oliver Warbucks. Your kids will have fun perfecting precision steps, nods and curtsies. This group of performers sings with the ensemble and can be double cast as New Yorkers in "N.Y.C." These roles are ideally suited for performers of any ability. This is another excellent place to expand your cast.
Gender: any
Apple Seller
The Apple Seller opens Scene 2 speaking to Annie and giving her an apple. With just a few lines, this is a good character part for a young, inexperienced actor.
Gender: any
Lt. Ward
Lt. Ward is the policeman who questions Annie about Sandy, the stray dog. This is a non-singing role and great for a kid who can play an authoritative adult. This is also a great cameo role for a principal or well-known community member.
Gender: male
Bert Healy
Bert Healy is the classic announcer on a radio show of the era. This is a non-singing role and is perfect for someone who is naturally funny with a big voice.
Gender: male
Bundles
Bundles is the laundryman for the orphanage. This is a minor speaking role and is perfect for the actor who can create a likeable character. A great spot for an actor who is not quite ready for a large part.
Gender: male
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
President Franklin D. Roosevelt is enlisted by Oliver Warbucks to help locate Annie's parents. He will be pushed onstage in a wheelchair and delivers a momentous line about "A New Deal!" This is an excellent spot to cast an actor who is not quite ready for a large part or who doesn't have a strong singing voice.
Gender: male
Louis Howe
Louis Howe is President Roosevelt's trustworthy aide. This is a great role for someone new to performing.
Gender: male
Star(s)-to-be
Star(s)-To-Be is a glamorous diva in the number "N.Y.C." Feel free to cast multiple girls in this part and split the singing solos between them. Although this is not a speaking role, cast a girl that can confidently sing and act.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Usherette
The Usherette ushers Warbucks, Annie and Grace to their seats in the Roxy at the end of "N.Y.C." She has one line and then sings with the ensemble.
New Yorkers
The New Yorkers are comprised of a wonderfully colorful collection of characters, usually identified by their occupation. It is great fun to have your students explore and develop these characters in the historical context of the 1930s. Some ideas for these roles are: street vendors, homeless people, tourists, taxi drivers, newsboys, pickpockets, street cleaners, mothers and children, additional stars-to-be, and news reporters.
Gender: any
- Writing Letters
- The Great Depression
- The New Deal
- Radio Broadcasting
- Orphanages
- Adoption
- Bullying
- The History of Comic Strips
Billing
Requirements
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Book by
THOMAS MEEHAN
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Music by
CHARLES STROUSE
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Lyrics by
MARTIN CHARNIN
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Irwin Meyer
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Stephen R. Friedman
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Lewis Allen
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Alvin Nederlander
Associates, Inc.
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The John F. Kennedy Center
for the Performing Arts
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Icarus Productions
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| Resource | Quantity |
|---|---|
| DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES AND MEDIA | 1 |
| FAMILY MATTERS | 30 |
| GUIDE VOCAL AND PERF TRACKS DIGITAL | 1 |
| PIANO VOCAL SCORE | 1 |
| STUDENT BOOK | 30 |