The Ramada Wagon Wheel Theatre presents its annual holiday show Dec. 3-19 with 11 public performances of the Broadway musical "Annie".
Not seen at the Wagon Wheel since 2004, the show opened on Broadway in 1977 featuring Andrea McArdle in the title role.Set in a New York orphanage during the Great Depression, Annie, 11, and the other orphans dream of the day when they can have parents who will love them. When Annie's mission to find her real parents fails, the angered Miss Hannigan, the mean orphanage matron, punishes all the girls.
Hannigan is glad to get rid of Annie when the secretary of millionaire Oliver Warbucks arrives asking for an orphan to visit the mansion at Christmas. Annie soon charms "Daddy" Warbucks and enlists his help in finding her parents.
"Annie" was the winner of seven Tony Awards in 1977 including Best Musical, and brought Charles Strouse his third Tony Award for Best Original Score.
The award-winning score includes hits as "Tomorrow," "It's a Hard Knock Life," "Maybe, "Little Girls" and more.
Several movies based on the comic strip have been made, with the most familiar version in 1982. Directed by John Huston, it stars Aileen Quinn as Annie, Albert Finney as Oliver Warbucks, and Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan. A 35th anniversary revival of the musical is scheduled for fall of 2012.
The Wagon Wheel production will feature long-time Wagon Wheel favorite Mickey Fisher as the tycoon, Warbucks. Jake Klinkhammer and Jenn Dow will team up as Rooster and Lili St. Regis. They will be joined by several young ladies from Warsaw and the surrounding areas. Churubusco native Shaniah Ramsey will play the title role along with Rachel Chapman, Brynn Durecki, Lauren Housel, Sadie Lemon, Audrey Rich, Sophia Schlitt and Sydney Trump as the other orphans.
Single adult tickets are $30 for all shows. Tickets for students 13 through college are $16, and children 12 and under are $12. Opening Nights and matinees are $22 for seniors. Special rates are available for groups of 15 or more. To order tickets or for more information about upcoming events at the Wagon Wheel Theatre in Warsaw, call the box office at 574-267-8041 or toll-free at 866-823-2618, or visit online at www.wagonwheeltheatre.com
