There is a timeless quality to the Tony-winning musical Annie. Based on the 1920's cartoon character Little Orphan Annie, the show follows her journey to find a family while singing one of Broadway's greatest songbooks. It's a story that becomes more endearing when paired with a young cast that is worth their mettle. and that is exactly what makes the current production by MyArt at the Robert L. Brigham Performing Arts Center all the more essential. The group that caters to getting children into performing live theater has found their calling with a show that uses the massive supporting cast to its full potential while bringing to life the heart of a story full of joys and simple desires. By the time the show closes with another rendition of the classic "Tomorrow," it comes across as a celebratory moment that sends the audience home on a high note. It's more than another rendition of Annie. It's the perfect understanding of why this show has and will continue to endure and why MyArt deserves your attention.
There is something more to Annie than watching children with smiling faces sing peppy songs. While not a minute goes by that doesn't radiate with joy, what makes the show far more successful is the rich subtext. This can be seen in the opening number "Hard Knock Life," which finds the young cast doing a dance routine full of lyrical dexterity and mopping and sweeping of floors. Despite the joy, it encapsulates a sadness that comes with being orphans. They're lonely, abused by Ms. Hannigan at her orphanage. They don't have families that give their life meaning. All they have are the antagonistic joys of annoying their authority figure by stamping on her foot and calling her names. The show quickly paints Hannigan as the villain of the piece, though those watching closely will notice that her bitterness is just as much from a lack of love, listening to the radio in hopes of finding love. The difference is that the orphans' hearts are pure and Hannigan has grown jaded, looking for quick fixes to "Easy Street."
The choice to use the 1920's and the Great Depression as a backdrop only help to create the fantasy world of Annie. When she escapes the orphanage and wanders the street with her dog Sandy (yes, there is an actual dog in MyArt's production), the musical finds a way to mix the pep with the harsh commentary in songs like "Hooverville." It's also here that the audience gets the first look at what the show can become. In an elaborate number, the young actors get to sing the comedic takedown of Herbert Hoover, helping to show the sadness and desperation that a lack of money has placed into their laps. If the orphanage is bad, even with Hannigan randomly starving them, things are worse out there. It's a cruel world, and the show's ability to mix the dark tones underneath Annie's journey is an incredible feat.
With that said, Annie has no delusions of the world. She's just as much a survivor as those she meets. If anything, the plot that follows with Daddy Warbucks is the type of Great Depression fantasy that still feels timely. Who wouldn't want to find a family that's so secure financially and has the self-awareness of love that they are willing to take you to meet the president (himself a delightful, upbeat caricature who does the good fo the people)? Yes, there is something that should read like Annie giving into the lavish lifestyle that could be false, but the story does a great job of showing the other side that by the time Warbucks shows up, he is more than the shiny new toy. He is a figure for good, and what child doesn't dream of having more figures like Warbucks, willing to tend to their every whim?
The complex layers are made better because this is at its core a chance to display a struggle that we all face in life. Watching a cast of young actors sing such upbeat numbers as "Tomorrow" and "Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" captures the desire to be happy that is told to us by the media. The only difference is that this version seeks to confront reality and fiction in those statements. In the case of Annie's most memorable song "Tomorrow," she sings of optimism that lies beyond this moment. The world is dark and grey now, but the sun will come out tomorrow. It's the struggle to keep looking for brighter times that is inherently woven into the music that gives it depth. With a great cast like this, the songs come across as genuine explorations of happiness, which go beyond material needs. Warbucks' affection for Annie isn't based on how big his luxurious mansion is. It's how Annie fills a void, making the number "Something Was Missing" all the more touching.
While the adult roles are played appropriately, many supporting roles are played by young actors in the MyArt program. From top to bottom, they all do a great job of finding the right level of comedic folly and a deeper understanding of the emotional subtext of the show. Annie, in particular, handles her many numbers with soul, holding her own against the older cast. If one was to witness what makes this one of their best productions yet, they simply need to watch the "NYC" sequence: a number meant to highlight the reasons that the city is a great place to live by dropping the audience into many of the dazzling sights. There's definitely plenty to be awestruck about, as dancers perform chorus lines and do backflips while extras in radiant costumes wander across the stage. Signs lit from overhead only help to make the number pop. What the show lacks in budget, it makes up for in heart and performers who want to put on a great show.
By the end, it's quite a sight. It helps that every last song is a classic, managing to get lodged in the audience's head moments after it ends. There will be countless moments where the audience becomes overwhelmed with the positive emotion onstage, drawn from a cast who gel very well together during key moments. Even the dog has a way of winning over everyone's hearts. The show is built in a way to tear down cynicism and find the heart that one should share for humanity. Sometimes all it takes is watching kids embrace theater, understanding a nuance that is lost with adulthood. Everyone has their bad days, but the trick is to keep going and not let the world get you down. Annie is inspiring in that way, and MyArt's ability to tap into that with a great young cast makes it all the better.
For those who are interested, Annie will be running for one more weekend and it's definitely worth checking out. It conveys the magic of Annie as a show with a cast of young actors taught by MyArt to put on a show. The results every time are exciting, especially when they result in something as enjoyable as this. While it should be known that there is some casual swearing (specifically repeat use of "damn") and drinking (for comedic effect), none of it involves the young cast and is done without malice. For those who want to learn more about the organization and possibly be involved in future productions, please visit https://myart.org/ for more information. It can't hurt. In fact, it may lead to brighter tomorrows for the actors in your life.
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