back to calendar

Little Orphan Annie on Stage in Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach, CA  – The perfect low-cost live theater entertainment choice for families’ summer “stay-cations” is definitely Orange County Children’s Theatre’s (OCCT) upcoming production of Annie jr. which will be staged at the newly renovated Huntington Beach Historic High School theater beginning Friday, August 14 and concluding on Sunday, August 23.

            Taken right from the classic comic strip, “Little Orphan Annie,” the show places Annie, Daddy Warbucks and Annie's mutt, Sandy, in New York City in the midst of the Depression.  As an infant, Annie had been abandoned on the front steps of The New York City Orphanage with a note from her parents promising to return for her someday. Life in the orphanage had been rough under the strict hand of Miss Hannigan, but Annie’s life was about to change. Billionaire Oliver Warbucks invites Annie to spend Christmas with him in his mansion, and together, they each discover new happiness. Warbucks soon decides he wants to adopt Annie, but when he learns about her dream of finding her parents and the secret of the half-locket she has treasured for so long, he sets his own feelings aside and orders an exhaustive search for Annie’s parents.

            Annie jr. features all of the same songs as the original Annie play including: Maybe, Hard-Knock Life, Little Girls, I Think I'm Gonna Like it Here, N.Y.C., Easy Street, You Won't be an Orphan for Long, You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,  I Don't Need Anything but You, and of course the show-stopping number Tomorrow.

             “This is a great show for families to experience live theater.  The script draws you into the world of Annie and her friends right from beginning to the end.  The amazingly talented and energetic cast members are having such a good time, it's hard not to jump up and join in the fun,” says Kathy Busby, the show’s director.  “Eric Graham, the vocal director has truly made this group sound phenomenal and Dawn Hatch, the choreographer has worked her magic adding variety and finesse to the production numbers that are sure to have toes tapping."  

            Maddie Levy, age 12, who was seen in last summer’s Hollywood Bowl musical Les Miserables as Young Cosette plays Annie.  “I started performing in musicals when I was five and in my first show, I played an orphan in ‘Annie.’  I’ve always dreamed of playing Annie herself and I am so excited to finally get to play that role with OCCT,” she said. Rounding out the cast of almost 40 youth are Alex Jean as Daddy Warbucks, Maureen Lefevre as Grace, Tayler Hayes as Miss Hannigan, and Emily Shaw as Sandy the dog. 

            Also featured will be eight of the youngest cast members, the Telegrammers, ranging in age from five to eight years-old who are being coached by OCCT alumni member Emily Walker and who will open the show with a song and dance number and perform again before intermission.

            There will be eight performances of Annie jr. beginning, Friday, August 14 and concluding on Sunday, August 23.  Performances are on Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday afternoons at 2:30 p.m.; Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. Tickets for Annie jr. range in price from $12 to $14 and can be purchased online at occt.org, or at the door. Discounts are available for groups of six or more that are priced from $10 to $12 each.  For those in the Girl Scouts program, special behind the scenes workshops to earn merit badges will be offered.  And OCCT also offers special birthday party packages complete with hot dogs, souvenirs and a special serenade from the cast.  The Huntington Beach Historical High School theater is located at 1905 Main Street in Huntington Beach . Ample free parking is available.

            Orange County Children’s Theatre, founded in 1969, has produced more than 100 live musicals with casts of children between ages 8 and 19.  For more details about Annie jr., or for information about how to become involved in OCCT’s next production, please call the OCCT hotline at 714-502-2244 or log onto www.occt.org.