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70-631: The theater is named for Laurie Beechman , who was a Broadway singer/actor and cabaret performer. The theater was opened in 1983 by the West Bank Cafe owner Steve Olsen. The cafe/theater is in Manhattan Plaza, which was specifically built to house people who are active in New York's theater scene. Bruce Willis was a bartender in the restaurant. Tennessee Williams , Arthur Miller and Sean Penn were regulars. Olsen experimented with

140-530: A Hooverville , a shanty town full of formerly well-off people suddenly rendered homeless by the Great Depression . They sarcastically toast the former president ("We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover"). The shanty town is broken up by the cops, who take Annie back to the orphanage, where Miss Hannigan punishes her with extra chores. At the orphanage, Miss Hannigan vents her frustration at being surrounded by children (" Little Girls "). Grace Farrell,

210-592: A psychiatric hospital for their crimes. Annie is officially adopted by Warbucks, who notes that this Christmas is the beginning of a new life for them, for the orphans (all of whom are adopted by wealthy friends of Warbucks), and for the rest of the country, thanks to Roosevelt's New Deal ("A New Deal for Christmas"/"Tomorrow (Second Reprise)"). Source: MTI Shows 1977 1978 1978 1997 1998 2012 2018 Tasha Gold Libby Gore Sophie McShera Original Broadway Second Broadway Revival The New York Times estimates that Annie

280-514: A 40th anniversary traveling production of Annie was launched by TROIKA Entertainment. Directed by Martin Charnin, the tour kicked off in Detroit , Michigan. For the first year of the tour, Issie Swickle played the title character Annie with Faith Perez as her alternate, alongside Gilgamesh Taggett and Lynn Andrews as Warbucks and Miss Hannigan, respectively. There were many replacements throughout

350-662: A book by Thomas Meehan . It is based on the 1924 comic strip Little Orphan Annie by Harold Gray (which in turn was inspired from the poem Little Orphant Annie by James Whitcomb Riley ). The original Broadway production opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years, setting a record for the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre ). It spawned numerous productions in many countries, as well as national tours, and won seven Tony Awards , including for Best Musical . The musical's songs " Tomorrow " and " It's

420-676: A celebrated cabaret act at New York's legendary Ballroom. This was quickly followed by a new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia . In early 1990, Beechman made her long-awaited debut as Fantine in the Broadway production of Les Misérables. She stayed for several months, eventually heading out on tour where she finally played

490-513: A close in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 21, 2017, after 745 performances. Another tour directed by Jenn Thompson, who played Pepper in the original Broadway production, began October 4, 2022, and ended June 11, 2023, with Ellie Rose Pulsifer as the title role. Another leg of the tour began October 7, 2023, and ended May 19, 2024, with Rainier Trevino playing Annie. Afterwards, the tour moved on to Macau , China, and opened there on August 2, 2024, with

560-553: A few more cities until it landed in Chicago where it played for 32 weeks. In April 1979, it continued on the road in with Mary K. Lombardi now in the lead as Annie. In the fall of 1980, Theda Stemler took over the part and was replaced in Boston when she grew too old. On May 15, 1981, Louanne Sirota , who had played Annie in the long-running Los Angeles production, took over the role for four months. In August 1981, Becky Snyder became

630-461: A handout. When Miss Hannigan mentions that Annie is going to be adopted by Warbucks, Rooster realizes they can use this situation to their advantage to bring Annie back to Miss Hannigan, before it's too late ("Easy Street"). Having noticed a broken locket around Annie's neck, Warbucks buys her a new, more expensive one from Tiffany's . He wonders whether he is ready for such a big change in his life ("Why Should I Change A Thing?"). When he offers Annie

700-467: A medley from Leonard Bernstein's "Candide" and "West Side Story", with Sam Harris . In 2023 the theatrical stage at Haddon Township High School, N.J., Beechman's alma mater, was officially named for her during a public ceremony followed by a student performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Performer: "The Turning World" Annie (musical) Annie is a musical with music by Charles Strouse , lyrics by Martin Charnin , and

770-472: A month or less. On March 27, 1981, Bridget Walsh took over as Annie. Becky Snyder (who had closed the first national tour) joined this company in the summer of 1982 and stayed with it until it closed in September of that year. The fourth national touring company opened on September 11, 1981, with Mollie Hall playing Annie. This production was a "bus and truck" tour, with a slightly reduced cast, that traveled

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840-537: A movie, while he works, but when he realizes that Annie has never seen New York, he decides to take her there, himself, walking the 45 blocks to the Roxy and seeing New York City in all of its glory ("N.Y.C."). Grace pays Miss Hannigan a visit to tell her that Warbucks wants to officially adopt Annie. Hannigan becomes furiously envious that the orphan she hated so much will suddenly have everything. Her ne'er-do-well brother Rooster and his girlfriend, Lily, drop by, in hopes of

910-578: A part in the decision. "Maybe they do not want audiences to know Nell Carter is black", she told the New York Post . However, the ads did mention that Carter was in the show. "It hurts a lot", Carter told the Post, "I've asked them nicely to stop it — it's insulting to me as a black woman." Later reports stated that "Nell Carter of Broadway's ' Annie ' denied Thursday that she called her show's producers racist because they chose to air commercials featuring

980-501: A previous Miss Hannigan—who is white—instead of her." Her statement, released by the Associated Press , read: "'Yes, it is true that I and my representatives have gone to management on more than one occasion about the commercial and were told that there was nothing they could do about it,' Carter said in a statement Thursday. 'Therefore, I have resigned myself to the fact that this is the way it is.' The statement also addressed

1050-571: A strand of mysteries in Dickens' tales. Meehan's book was accepted by Charnin and Strouse, but considerable material had to be trimmed out – material which Meehan would later restore for his novelization. In 1933, in New York City , eleven-year-old Annie sleeps in an orphanage, with many other girls her age. When six-year-old Molly wakes up from a bad dream, Annie comforts her, by singing about her own parents; even though they abandoned her at

1120-512: A success, and so for the first two tours and the Malaysian Genting Highlands Production, the role of Annie was then shared by Faye Spittlehouse and a young Lucy May Barker . Miss Hannigan was later performed by Su Pollard and Ruth Madoc and Daddy Warbucks by Mark Wynter . This particular production toured from 2001 to 2007 and resumed in September 2008. The last tour of this production ended in 2011 with

1190-538: A succession of actresses took on the lead role every four months. One of the last girls to perform the role at the Victoria Palace before the show went on tour was 10-year-old Claudia Bradley from Leeds , who was featured on a 1981 BBC program called Fame . She went on to perform on the tour as well. A 20th anniversary Broadway revival , which played at the Martin Beck Theatre (now called

1260-496: A surprise visit from Roosevelt and his Secret Service . The FBI has learned that Annie's parents are actually David and Margaret Bennett, who died long ago in a fire when Annie was a baby. Mr. and Mrs. "Mudge" show up to take Annie along with the money, but are quickly revealed to be none other than Rooster and Lily; the Secret Service arrests them along with Miss Hannigan, for child abuse , and all three villains are sent to

1330-775: A total of 2,377 performances, setting a record for the longest running show at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre ), until it was surpassed by Hairspray in 2009. During the Broadway run of Annie , there were four touring companies that were launched from the original production to tour to major North American cities: The first national touring company opened in Toronto in March 1978 with Kathy Jo Kelly as Annie, Norwood Smith as Daddy Warbucks, Jane Connell , Ruth Kobart as Miss Hannigan, and Gary Beach as Rooster. It played in Miami from April 12 to May 13, 1978, then continued for

1400-473: A week of performances, Vigard was replaced by Andrea McArdle , who had been playing one of the other orphans, Pepper. Vigard went on to become McArdle's Broadway alternate . After the Goodspeed run ended, the role of Miss Hannigan was also recast, as original actor Maggie Task's performance was considered too mean. Producer Mike Nichols suggested comedy actress Dorothy Loudon to bring the humour out of

1470-613: A year after her death, a scholarship was established in her name at the University of the Arts Musical Theatre Department. She recorded three albums after Listen to My Heart : The Time Between the Time , The Andrew Lloyd Webber Album and No One is Alone: Songs of Hope and Inspiration From Broadway . She recorded a track, Jacques Brel's "If We Only Have Love", with her sister, Claudia Beechman, and another,

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1540-573: Is credited in the original Broadway cast recording. She played the lead role of the Narrator in the original Broadway cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat during its first Broadway production in 1982, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical) and a Theatre World Award. In December 1983, Beechman headed the First National Company of Cats as " Grizabella, The Glamour Cat " when

1610-626: Is offering $ 50,000 to the couple who can prove they are her parents. Healy, then, sings a song with the Boylan Sisters (" You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile "). At the orphanage, the girls are listening to the show. They joyously sing along ("You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile (Reprise)"). A couple claiming to be Annie's parents, Ralph and Shirley Mudge, arrive at the orphanage. In fact, they are Rooster and Lily in disguise. They believe they can pass themselves off as Annie's parents, with Hannigan's help, for which she demands half of

1680-618: Is performed 700 to 900 times, each year, in the United States. Annie had its world premiere on August 10, 1976, at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam , Connecticut , under the direction of Michael P. Price . Kristen Vigard was the first actress to play the title role. However, the producers soon decided that Vigard's genuinely sweet interpretation was not tough enough for the street-smart orphan. After

1750-493: The Al Hirschfeld Theatre ) in 1997, entitled Annie, the 20th Anniversary , starred Nell Carter as Miss Hannigan, but controversy surrounded the casting of the titular character. The original actress cast in the role, Joanna Pacitti , was fired and replaced by Brittny Kissinger (who had been playing orphan July) just two weeks before her Broadway debut, while battling bronchitis in Boston. The pre-Broadway tour

1820-485: The Palace Theatre on October 3, 2012, and officially opened on November 8, 2012, receiving mixed reviews. Notable replacements include Jane Lynch and Faith Prince as Miss Hannigan. On July 30, Taylor Richardson and Sadie Sink both began alternating the role of Annie, replacing Crawford. This production closed on January 5, 2014, after 38 previews and 487 regular performances. Starting in September 2014,

1890-593: The Shubert Theatre . Children's television host Tom Hatten played Franklin D. Roosevelt . On June 12, 1979, Sirota, just 9 years old (up until that time, all Annies had been 11 or older), took over the role from Patts. Marisa Morell took the role in December 1979, closing the Los Angeles run and continuing on tour with the show through December 1980. Kristi Coombs (who played the youngest orphan Molly in

1960-434: The downbeat mood of the then-current Nixon era and Vietnam War , Meehan set his story in New York during the similarly downbeat Great Depression . Meehan saw the character of Annie as a 20th-century American female version of the titular orphan characters created by Charles Dickens in works such as Oliver Twist and David Copperfield , with the mystery of Annie's abandonment and unknown parenthood as consistent with

2030-459: The 1980 Atlantic Records release Laurie and the Sighs . With little support from a new management team at the label, the album failed badly and Beechman was looking for stage work. Beechman made her Broadway debut in the original Broadway cast of Annie . She played various roles, most notably "Star to Be", a role which was written for her after the creative team heard her powerful voice, and she

2100-675: The 2009-10 tour, Kerth returned as Annie along with most of the previous year's cast, adding Jordan Boezem (from Spotlight Kids in Sarasota, Florida ) in the role of July. A 35th Anniversary production opened on Broadway in 2012. Thomas Meehan revised the musical, with James Lapine directing. Lilla Crawford starred as Annie with Katie Finneran as Miss Hannigan, and Anthony Warlow making his long-awaited Broadway debut as Warbucks. Featured cast included Brynn O'Malley, Clarke Thorell and J. Elaine Marcos as Grace Farrell, Rooster and Lily St. Regis, respectively. The revival started previews at

2170-611: The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat , she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical . She then went on to be the first actress to play the role of Grizabella in the US national touring production of Cats in 1983, before replacing Betty Buckley in the Broadway production in 1984. She would play the role on Broadway for over four years. She also starred in the Broadway productions of The Pirates of Penzance (1981) and Les Misérables (1990) and returned to

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2240-616: The Cafe ran a telethon to raise needed funds to stay open. Among the notable performers who appeared on the program were Matthew Broderick , Al Pacino , Betty Buckley , Nathan Lane , André De Shields , Marissa Mulder , Pete Townshend , and the Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer . The telethon raised its target of $ 250,000 within the first ninety minutes of the show. Laurie Beechman Laurie Hope Beechman (April 4, 1953 – March 8, 1998)

2310-576: The Hard Knock Life " are among its most popular musical numbers. Martin Charnin first approached Thomas Meehan to write the book of a musical about Little Orphan Annie , in 1972. Meehan researched, by rereading prints of the comic strip, but he was unable to find any satisfactory material for a musical, other than the characters of Annie, Oliver Warbucks , and Sandy, so, he decided to write his own story. As Meehan, Charnin, and Charles Strouse were all from New York, and given what he saw as

2380-479: The alleged charges of racism, first published in Thursday's New York Post. Carter is black. 'I, Nell Carter, never, ever, ever accused my producers or anyone in the show of racism,' she said. Producers have said it is too expensive to film a new commercial." Carter was later replaced by another white actress, Sally Struthers . The revival closed on October 19, 1997, after 14 previews and 239 performances. The show

2450-505: The assistant to the billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, comes to the orphanage, asking for an orphan to spend Christmas at his mansion. Seeing how poorly Miss Hannigan treats Annie, Grace insists on taking her. At Warbucks's mansion, Grace introduces Annie to the staff and explains that she will have every luxury available ("I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here"). Oliver Warbucks returns and isn't happy to have Annie in his mansion, having assumed all orphans were boys. Warbucks instructs Grace to take her to

2520-432: The blankets, allowing Annie to escape in his truck. Miss Hannigan realizes she's gone and chases after the truck. The other orphans cheer her on, but await punishment, when Hannigan returns ("Hard Knock Life (Reprise)"). Annie escapes, running into a friendly stray dog. She tells him of better days to come (" Tomorrow "). She fools a police officer into believing he is her dog, named Sandy. Later, Annie and Sandy stumble upon

2590-442: The brand-new song "Why Should I Change A Thing?" (sung by Warbucks). For the first two years of the tour, Conrad John Schuck played Warbucks, reprising the role he played in the original run of Annie on Broadway, as well as the 15th Anniversary National Tour and 1997 Broadway revival. Chicago actress, Alene Robertson was Miss Hannigan, Annie was played by Marissa O'Donnell, Scott Willis played Rooster Hannigan, Elizabeth Broadhurst

2660-544: The company's last Annie, closing the tour on September 6, 1981. The second national touring company (sometimes referred to as the West Coast or Los Angeles production) opened in San Francisco on June 22, 1978, with Patricia Ann Patts starring as Annie, Jennifer Cihi as Pepper and the then-unknown Molly Ringwald as one of the orphans. The show landed in Los Angeles on October 15, 1978, for an open-ended run at

2730-598: The country and often played in two cities a week. This company was still touring when the original Broadway production closed in January 1983, making Kathleen Sisk the final performer to play Annie from the original production team. This tour closed in late March 1983. The musical premiered in the West End at the Victoria Palace Theatre on May 3, 1978. Andrea McArdle, the original Broadway Annie, played

2800-519: The first national touring company) then played Annie, until this touring company closed in Hawaii on August 22, 1982. Alyssa Milano played orphan Kate in 1981. The third national touring company opened in Dallas on October 3, 1979, with Rosanne Sorrentino (who would later go on to portray Pepper in the 1982 film version) in the title role. This company toured to 23 cities playing mostly shorter runs of

2870-685: The formal adoption proceedings and tell of how her arrival has changed their lives ("Annie"). As Judge Louis Brandeis shows up to begin the adoption proceedings, Warbucks and Annie dance together ("I Don't Need Anything But You"). They are interrupted by Rooster and Lily in disguise. The two present forged documents, as well as the other half of Annie's locket, seemingly confirming their story. Warbucks requests that she be allowed to stay one more night, and they can take her away on Christmas morning. The next morning, Annie wonders if her life with her parents will really be as good as her life with Warbucks could have been ("Maybe (Second Reprise)"). Warbucks receives

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2940-536: The locket and attempts to take off the old one, Annie bursts into tears, as the locket was the only thing left to her by her parents, and she still holds out hope that they will return for her. Warbucks pledges to find her parents, no matter what it takes, calling J. Edgar Hoover to get the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the job ("You Won't Be An Orphan For Long"). Annie appears on Bert Healy's radio show ("Maybe (Reprise)"), where Warbucks announces that he

3010-540: The money ("Easy Street (Reprise)"). Warbucks brings Annie to Washington, D.C. , where she meets President Franklin D. Roosevelt . Roosevelt and his Cabinet are inspired by her optimism and decide to make it a cornerstone of their administration ("Tomorrow (Cabinet Reprise)"). Once back home, Warbucks tells Annie how much he loves her ("Something Was Missing"). Because all the people claiming to be her parents were frauds, he offers, once again, to adopt her, and Annie gleefully accepts. The delighted staff get Annie dressed for

3080-586: The new musical Oh Brother! On October 29, Annie moved to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre , and finally moved to its final home at the Uris (now the Gershwin ) on December 12 to make room for a revised Little Me . This move was made possible, partly because of the early closing of the revival of My Fair Lady , had originally been scheduled to run through the end of that year. The show closed on January 2, 1983, after

3150-418: The orphanage, as a baby, she holds on to the hope that they will come back for her ("Maybe"). Annie decides to escape to find her parents, but she is caught by Miss Hannigan, the cruel keeper of the orphanage. To punish Annie's behavior, she forces all the girls to clean, and they lament the terrible conditions of the orphanage (" It's the Hard Knock Life "). Later on, Bundles, the laundry man, comes in to pick up

3220-461: The post Broadway national tour continued with Meredith Anne Bull as Annie. In the spring of 2000, Ashley Wieronski, who had been playing Duffy, moved up to play Annie. In July 2000, Dana Benedict took over as Annie. In 2000/2001, a tour was staged in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Anthony Warlow starred as Warbucks with Amanda Muggleton as Miss Hannigan. A new song, "Why Should I Change a Thing",

3290-715: The role in Philadelphia during the Christmas season of 1990. During this time, her self-produced solo recording, Listen To My Heart , was released to great acclaim. The following fall she celebrated regaining her health after fighting off a recurrence of her cancer by, as she put it, "throwing myself a nightclub act," returning once again to the Ballroom. During the later years of her life, Beechman married Neil Mazzella in 1992, recorded three more solo albums, performed numerous concerts and club dates, sang " You'll Never Walk Alone " at President Bill Clinton 's second inaugural gala,

3360-553: The role of Grizabella for four months in 1997, when Cats became the longest running musical in Broadway history. Born in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , Beechman possessed an incredible singing voice, powerful, yet subtle and nuanced. After moving to Haddon Township, New Jersey , she graduated in 1971 from Haddon Township High School , where her talents were instantly recognized, winning her lead roles in numerous school musicals. She performed in an acoustic folk-rock group with Rick Ferrante and Roy Baker called The Destiny Trio during

3430-563: The role of Miss Hannigan still being played by Pollard, David McAlister as Warbucks, Victoria Sian Lewis as Annie, and Simone Craddock as Grace Farrell. Opening in August 2005, a 30th anniversary traveling production of Annie by NETworks Tours embarked on a multi-city tour. This production was directed by Martin Charnin and choreographed by Liza Gennaro (daughter of the show's original choreographer, Peter Gennaro ). This all-new production with new set designs by Ming Cho Lee , also featured

3500-473: The role of Miss Hannigan. She also understudied Alice Ghostley and Dolores Wilson. Annie was evicted from the Alvin Theatre, in September 1981, to make way for Merrily We Roll Along , which began its months long journey to finding a new permanent home. On September 16, the show moved to ANTA (now the August Wilson ), knowing the production would need to move, again, due to contractual obligations to

3570-399: The role over the next year. Suzie Kemeys from South Wales also performed two shows in 1980/81. The first was as July and the second was Annie. ITV Wales commissioned two documentaries about this young Welsh girl and her rise from obscurity to a West End leading lady. Following this, Ann Marie Gwatkin and Jackie Ekers shared the title role, followed by many other casts of Annie. Miss Hannigan

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3640-508: The role; in rehearsals, Loudon reportedly improvised numerous elements, including the lines "Do I hear happiness in here?" and "Why any kid would want to be an orphan, I'll never know." The original Broadway production opened at the Alvin Theatre on April 21, 1977, and starred Andrea McArdle as Annie, Reid Shelton as Warbucks , Dorothy Loudon as Miss Hannigan, and Sandy Faison as Grace Farrell, with Danielle Brisebois as Molly,

3710-451: The run of the show, there were replacements. The 2007-08 tour starred Amanda Balon as Annie, who took over as Molly during the second year. The 2008-09 cast for the tour featured Tianna Stevens as Annie. Early in 2009, Amanda Balon returned temporarily to play the role of Annie until Madison Kerth was rehearsed to play the title role. Also returning were Barton, Andrews and Meisner. Other cast members included Mackenzie Aladjem (Molly). In

3780-658: The summers of 1971 and 1972 in North Wildwood, NJ, at a small club called the Manor Lounge. She subsequently enrolled at New York University . Dropping out of NYU after a few years, Beechman made her Broadway debut in 1977 as part of the original cast of Annie , playing five different roles. This led to small roles in the Public Theater 's production of The Pirates of Penzance and the 1979 film version of Hair . A detour into rock and roll resulted in

3850-435: The theater. Initially, the theater was strictly drinks only. However, it has evolved to include dinner before the show. Joan Rivers often performed there, as has Karen Finley . On August 27, 2014, Joan Rivers gave her final performance at the theatre. The following day, Rivers suffered a cardiac arrest resulting from complications during a procedure on her vocal cords, and died on September 4, 2014. On Christmas day 2020,

3920-513: The title role for 40 performances. British 12-year-old Ann Marie Gwatkin was also cast in the title role and appeared on the original London cast recording. The opening night cast and the original cast album recording of children were Claire Hood, Jane Collins, Dawn Napier, Annette Mason, Helen Stephenson, Jackie Ekers and Linda Brewis. Ann Marie Gwatkin alternated with Christine Hyland, and four other Annies were cast at this point: Anne O'Rourke, Jacinta Whyte, Helen Thorne, Tracy Taylor, who were to play

3990-532: The tour opened in Boston. Within four months, she assumed the role on Broadway, replacing Tony winner Betty Buckley . Belting out the show's hit song "Memory", Beechman stayed with the show for more than four years and made occasional return engagements over the next decade. Set to take over the role of Fantine in the touring production of Les Misérables in late 1988, Beechman was diagnosed with ovarian cancer . After months of treatment, with her longtime friend Ken Gilmurray by her side, Beechman bounced back with

4060-487: The tour, and by the end of it, Gilgamesh Taggett was the only remaining original member. For most of the second year of the tour, Heidi Gray played Annie. For the third and final year of the tour, Tori Bates played Annie and became the first biracial Annie in a professional production. The 40th Anniversary performance was celebrated in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 21, 2017, with Angelina Carballo as Annie. The tour came to

4130-578: The venue, offering it for jazz and cabaret. Lewis Black , Rand Foerster, and Rusty Magee proposed staging plays at what initially was called the West Bank Cafe Downstairs Theater Bar. Over the course of 14 years, Foerster was the Artistic Director, Black was the playwright in residence, and authored forty plays there, and Magee was the musical director. More than 1,500 one-act plays have been performed at

4200-407: The youngest actress to ever play Annie on Broadway. More controversy surrounding the show involved Nell Carter. Carter reportedly was very upset when commercials promoting the show used a different actress, Marcia Lewis, a white actress, as Miss Hannigan. The producers claimed that the commercials, which were made during an earlier production, were too costly to reshoot. Carter felt that racism played

4270-554: The youngest and smallest orphan. It was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven, including the Best Musical , Best Score , and Best Book at the 31st Tony Awards . Replacements in the title role on Broadway included Shelley Bruce, Sarah Jessica Parker , Allison Smith and Alyson Kirk. Replacements in the role of Miss Hannigan included Alice Ghostley , Dolores Wilson , Betty Hutton , Marcia Lewis , and June Havoc . Ann Ungar understudied and played for Dorothy Loudon in

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4340-607: Was Grace Farrell and Mackenzie Phillips performed the role of Lily St. Regis. In December 2006, the tour briefly returned to New York City to play The Theater at Madison Square Garden for Christmas where it broke box office records during the five week stay. Kathie Lee Gifford played Miss Hannigan. This original Equity tour closed on March 25, 2007, at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland . The tour continued non-union for several more years and throughout

4410-558: Was an American actress and singer , known for her work in Broadway musicals. She also had a career as a cabaret performer and recording artist. After her death, the West Bank Cafe Downstairs Theater Bar in New York was renamed the Laurie Beechman Theatre . Beechman made her Broadway debut in the 1977 original production of Annie . For her role as the narrator in the 1982 original Broadway production of Joseph and

4480-487: Was awarded the Gilda's Club 's "It's Always Something" Award, and returned to singing and acting. In early 1995, Beechman's cancer returned. She spent an hour on The Phil Donahue Show singing and discussing her condition and her will to keep going. Having returned to play Grizabella on Broadway for the ninth (1991) and tenth (1992) anniversary performances of Cats , she again reprised the role from May to September 1997, so

4550-501: Was in the cast on June 19 of that year, when Cats surpassed A Chorus Line to become the longest-running musical in Broadway history at that time. Although her treatments were ongoing, Beechman continued performing until just a few months before her death on March 8, 1998, at age 44. One month later, a memorial service was held for her at the Winter Garden Theatre , the theatre where Cats played for many years. She

4620-558: Was originally played by Sheila Hancock , and later by Maria Charles and Stella Moray ; Warbucks was played by Stratford Johns and later by Charles West , with Deborah Clarke playing Pepper in the first year and Melanie Grant playing Molly. Annie closed on November 28, 1981, after 1,485 performances. The musical transferred to the Bristol Hippodrome for a special Christmas season before touring Britain . Because of strict British employment laws for juvenile actors,

4690-605: Was playing the Colonial Theatre , then moved on to the Oakdale in Connecticut. Public sentiment seemed to side with Pacitti as she was the winner of a highly publicized contest to find a new Annie, sponsored by the department store Macy's . This incident, coupled with the mixed reviews the new staging garnered, doomed it to a short run, although it was followed by a successful national tour. Kissinger, then 8, became

4760-577: Was revived at the Victoria Palace Theatre, running from September 30, 1998, to February 28, 1999. It starred Lesley Joseph and then Lily Savage (the female alter ego of comedian Paul O'Grady ) as Miss Hannigan and Kevin Colson as Warbucks. The young girls who played Annie were Charlene Barton, Tasha Gold, Libby Gore and Sophie McShera . Orphans included Dominique Moore as documented on Paddington Green . Starting in August 1999,

4830-657: Was survived by her mother, Dolly Beechman Schnall, stepfather, Dr. Nate Schnall, two sisters, Claudia Beechman Cohen and Jane Beechman Segal, and husband, Neil Mazzella. She was buried at Montefiore Cemetery in Rockledge, Pennsylvania . The Laurie Beechman Theatre on 42nd Street in New York City is named for her. The Laurie Beechman Cabaret at University of the Arts in Philadelphia is also named for her. In 1999,

4900-627: Was written for Warlow. Appearing as Annie in the Sydney production were Rachel Marley and Jodie McGaw. A publicist noted that "each time the show moves to a new city, two casts of seven orphans plus two Annies have to be found to join the adult cast." Further UK tours of the show were also staged, including a one-month run at The Theatre Royal in Lincoln in 2001. Members of the original cast included Kate Winney and Jemma Carlisle as Annie, Louise English (Grace), Vicki Michelle (Miss Hannigan) and Simon Masterton-Smith (Warbucks). The show proved to be

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