It’s hard to fathom a more pitch-perfect production of Annie than what unfolded on stage last night at the Princess Theatre. Kicking off its Melbourne run, Annie is a devilishly joyous romp through FDR-era New York City, carried by the unforgettable spirit of its young lead. On opening night, the title role was played by the impeccable Isabella Hayden, her talent beyond words. She’s not a star in the making, but already a star.
Toiling away at the Municipal Orphanage Girls Annex, Annie is the rock among the group. She tries her best to avoid the wrath of Miss Hannigan, played by Debora Krizak, and her deafening whistle. With no toys, no sleep and all chores, we’re treated with a ravenous rendition of the fan favourite ‘It’s The Hard Knock Life.’ The Melbourne born and bred cast of orphans immediately capture the audience with their world-class talent.
With dreams of escape and a longing to find her parents, Annie sneaks out with the laundry one night. She finds herself on Skid Row with a runaway dog, the latter receiving much-deserved ‘Awws’ from the audience. With this reviewer being a new recruit to the Annie world, the inclusion of two actual dogs on stage was a welcome surprise.
This leads into the iconic ‘Tomorrow,’ where Hayden’s true vocal prowess is on show. She hits the biggest notes with ease, cementing her status as the breakout star of the night.
Soon thereafter, we jump into the crux of the story. This involves the introduction of a few characters, including the iconic Oliver Warbucks, played by Anthony Warlow. He returns to the role after playing it several times, including on Broadway in 2012.
Warlow brings so much heart to the famously gruff character, managing to gently soften into the perfect ‘Daddy’ Warbucks for Annie. His booming vocals help to ground moments in the show and create great harmonies with the cast.
While the world of a video-generated backdrop may seem limiting, Craig Wilkinson’s projections match perfectly with Kenneth Foy’s scenic designs. Together, they work wonders to keep the audience engaged.
Closing out the first Act is ‘Easy Street,’ one of the few numbers where Annie isn’t featured. This song is a vehicle for Miss Hannigan, her nefarious brother Rooster, and his girlfriend Lily St Regis. Not overly demanding vocally, this is a moment for all things dance. Debora Krizak, Keanu Gonzlaez and Mackenzie Dunn deliver the number with great chemistry and a dance break by choreographer Mitchell Woodcock that brings the house down.
Once the second Act lands, we’re once again treated to a showstopper from Annie’s orphan friends. ‘You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile’ sees Sophie Isaac, Ava Kroussoratis, Harper Pasco, Marli Lee, Calliope Xinta Velonis and Bibiana Brudan give the adult performers a run for their money.
In this performance, not a single note is missed, no dance move falters. This group of orphans are a theatrical force to be reckoned with. The next scene’s cast member even seemed to wait a little bit longer before heading out on stage, just to let the kids soak in that much-deserved, rapturous applause from the audience.
The second Act also introduces another character – the famously celebrity-cast Franklin D. Roosevelt, played by the iconic Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle. While celebrity casting can sometimes draw criticism in Australia, Page’s talent and stage presence easily rise above any scepticism.
Without spoiling the ending, Annie finds herself having to choose between the love of Warbucks and the coldness of her ‘parents,’ which leads to arguably one of the most satisfying storyline conclusions of all time.
There’s no question that Annie the musical will leave you happy, hopeful, and excited about the next generation of musical theatre stars right on our doorstep.
Annie runs to 26 October at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne. It then plays at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC in Brisbane from December.
Tickets: https://anniemusical.com.au/tickets/melbourne/
Website: https://anniemusical.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/anniemusicalau/
Photos supplied by Lord Murray Schoorman – peakhourimages.com.au
