Annie At The Keller Auditorium
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Portland’s buzzing cultural scene just got a whole lot brighter thanks to Annie’s recent arrival at the Keller Auditorium! This Broadway classic got a fresh spin with a cast that brought serious talent and a set that transported us straight to the streets of 1930s New York City.
Let’s dive into the talent pool first. Leading the charge was our spunky heroine, Annie, portrayed by the incredibly gifted Rainier Trevino. Her rendition of “Tomorrow” had us all reaching for the tissues, and her chemistry with Sandy, the scene-stealing canine companion, was pure magic. Speaking of scene-stealers, the supporting cast didn’t disappoint either. From the lovably gruff Daddy Warbucks to the delightfully devious Miss Hannigan, each character was brought to life with infectious energy and impeccable comic timing.
Of course, we can’t forget about the music—the beating heart of any Broadway production. Under the skillful director, the timeless tunes of Annie soared to new heights, filling the auditorium with toe-tapping rhythms and soul-stirring melodies. Whether it was the rousing anthem of “It’s the Hard Knock Life” or the heartwarming ballad of “Maybe,” each song was delivered with passion and precision, earning thunderous applause from the audience.
And let’s talk about that set design—wow! From the bustling streets of New York to the cozy confines of the orphanage, every detail was meticulously crafted to immerse us in Annie’s world. It was like stepping back in time, complete with period-perfect costumes and props that added an extra layer of authenticity to the production.
But beyond the glitz and glamor, Annie has a timeless message that resonates with audiences of all ages. In a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, Annie’s unwavering optimism serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, there’s always a brighter tomorrow on the horizon.
So, whether you’re a die-hard fan of the original Broadway classic or experiencing Annie for the first time, one thing’s for sure—this production is not to be missed. Grab your tickets, gather your friends and family, and prepare to be swept away on a journey of laughter, tears, and ultimately, the triumph of the human spirit. After all, with Annie, the sun will always come out tomorrow!
Ticket & Show Info:
Buy tickets HERE
Tuesday, May 14th @ 7:30pm
Wednesday, May 15th @ 7:30pm
Thursday, May 16th @ 7:30pm
Friday, May 17th @ 7:30pm
Saturday, May 18th @ 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, May 19th @ 1:00pm & 6:30pm
Show Overview:
(PORTLAND, OR) – Leapin’ Lizards! Broadway in Portland is pleased to announce an all-new tour of the iconic Tony Award®-winning musical ANNIE will play Keller Auditorium from May 14 – 19,
Tickets are available at www.BroadwayinPortland.com.
“This show, with its iconic title character, continues to delight generations of theatre-lovers old and new by joyfully singing directly into the face of great adversity with perseverance, guts and guile,” said director Jenn Thompson. “For decades, ANNIE has continued to shine brightly, not only as an appeal to our better angels, but also as an example of the thrill of hope, hard-won: promising a better ‘Tomorrow’ not only for Annie herself, but for all who need her message now more than ever.”
ANNIE is directed by Jenn Thompson, who at the age of 10 stepped into the role of “Pepper” in the Original Broadway production, choreographed by Patricia Wilcox (Motown, A Night with Janis Joplin), music supervision by Matthew Smedal, with orchestrations by Dan DeLange. Talitha Fehr is the Music Coordinator and Jennifer Christina is the Music Director.
The design team includes scenic design by Wilson Chin (Pass Over), costume design by Alejo Vietti (Jersey Boys), based on lighting design by Philip Rosenberg, sound design by Ken Travis (Disney’s Aladdin), hair & wig design by Ashley Rae Callahan and casting by Paul Hardt of Hardt Casting, LLC.
In the title role of Annie is Rainier “Rainey” Treviño, an 11 year old from Chesapeake, Virginia making her national tour debut. Returning principal cast includes Stefanie Londino as “Miss Hannigan,” Christopher Swan as “Oliver Warbucks,” Julia Nicole Hunter as “Grace,” and Mark Woodard as “FDR.” Also starring in the tour are Jeffrey T. Kelly as “Rooster” and Krista Curry as “Lily. Seamus stars as “Sandy.”
The Orphans are Savannah Austin, Saylor Curran, Arianna Guller, Addie Jaymes, Kylie Noelle Patterson and Jade Smith.
The featured ensemble includes Savannah Fisher, Jerquintez A. Gipson, Caroline Glazier, Chance K. Ingalls, Kaleb Jenkins, Jaelle Laguerre, Tony Mowatt, Ryan Mulvaney, Kaylie Mae Wallace, Callie Alexa, Brooke Olivia Gatto, and Trent Tyson.
Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in this new production – just as you remember it and just when we need it most. This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way.
Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as, “one of the best family musicals ever penned!”, ANNIE features a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. All three authors received 1977 Tony Awards® for their work.
By permission of Tribune Content Agency, LLC, ANNIE is based on Harold Gray’s popular comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” which premiered in the 1920s in the New York Daily News and became one of the most widely read strips in the 30s and 40s. Lyricist Martin Charnin bought a coffee table book called “The Life and Hard Times of Little Orphan Annie” as a Christmas gift for a friend in 1970. The clerk at the bookstore was too busy to wrap the book, so Charnin took the book home to wrap it. Instead, he read it and fell in love with the strip and set out to secure the rights. The friend never got the book.
The original production of ANNIE had its world premiere on Aug 10, 1976 at the Goodspeed Opera House (Michael J. Price, Executive Director) and opened on Broadway on April 21, 1977 at the Alvin Theatre (Neil Simon theatre). It went on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Cast Show Album and seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin). It closed on Broadway after playing 2,377 performances. ANNIE was revived on Broadway in 1997 and again in 2014. Ithas been made into a film three times (1982, 1999, 2014) and was most recently featured as a live television production on NBC. The show remains one of the biggest Broadway musical hits ever; it has been performed in 28 languages and has been running somewhere around the world for 45 years.
The beloved score for ANNIEincludes “Maybe,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You” and the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.”
This production of ANNIE was licensed by Music Theatre International.
Broadway in Portland is a partnership between Portland Opera and Broadway Across America.
