I think that “Annie” is my all-time favorite musical. It is no wonder that I have seen it about 10 times, including the film versions. I am going to get up on a pedestal and tell you…this is the best production I have ever seen, including the one I saw on Broadway.
Kyle Dougin-Leblanc, Artistic Director, is to be commended for adding an amazing element to this now classic musical. He illustrated the period of a country grappling with incredible economic hardship. His vision was executed through screen projected line art and showing actual pictures of the depression times. Harold Gray created these images as well as line art of the settings, supplementing the excellent on-stage settings. This created the contrast of those bleak days with Annie’s upbeat infectious optimism.
Annie, an eleven-year-old orphan, is played by Elin Joy Seiber. She has charm, charisma, timing and the voice of someone beyond her years. The iconic and uplifting music is supported by the Music Theater Works orchestra, conducted so perfectly by Linda Madonia. These amazing songs are executed by a cast with the best voices of any Annie production.
Run, don’t walk, to see Music Theater Works production of “Annie”. If you’re thinking, as I did, …oh I have seen this before, put that out of your mind; this production is something special.
“Annie” runs until Jan. 4. See www.MusicTheaterWorks.com for tickets to this and other coming shows.
The theater is located at the Northshore Center for The Performing Arts, at 950 Skokie Blvd., Skokie IL. 60077