Photos via Ciputra Artpreneur

AN INTERNATIONAL THEATER TROUPE IS SLATED TO BRING THE FAMED STORY OF AN ORPHAN AND HER DOG TO JAKARTA

Annie is a popular family-friendly tale set against the backdrop of pre-World War II in America. The story centers on the adventures of a charming orphan, the titular Annie, who is never without her dog Sandy. Annie wanders the landscape of the Great Depression in the US like a vagabond, always craving for the love of kind parents.

The tale traces its origins to a daily comic strip titled Little Orphan Annie, created by Harold Gray that debuted in the New York Daily News in Aug. 1924.

Thanks to the strip’s popularity, the comic has been adapted into various formats, including radio plays, movies, theatrical and musical performances.

Annie was first made into a Broadway musical in 1977-and a young Sarah Jessica Parker (later of Sex in the City fame) had a turn as the waifish girl.

The musical turned out to be one of Broadway’s most successful productions, receiving seven prestigious Tony awards, as well as best-musical honors from the New York Drama Critics Circle and seven awards from the Choice Drama Desk.

Since then, the musical has been adapted into 28 languages for stages across the globe, including those in Australia.

The success of the musical also precipitated the adaptation of the story into film, most recently in 2014, contributing to the worldwide popularity of the story.

Now there’s some great news for Indonesians who love Annie: This August, the Broadway musical will be performed at the Ciputra Artpreneur Theater in Jakarta from Aug. 2 to 14.

For the 19th season, the play will be directed by the musical’s original lyricist and director, Martin Charnin.

The show has been updated with new scenes while staying true to the iconic, Tony award-winning original production.

“Having previously presented humor-laden musicals, this time we want to take Indonesian viewers to see another facet of a Broadway performance, through the character of Annie, who refuses to give in to despair,” Ciputra Artpreneur general manager Yati Yusoff said.

After touring in 41 cities last year, producers Troika Entertainment were pleased to announce a whole new batch of cast for this year’s leg of the tour, which now boasts a 25-member company.

Twelve-year-old actress Heidi Gray from Augusta, Georgia, in the US, who joined the cast on Broadway in January, will play the central character; while, Lynn Andrews will play Miss Hannigan and Gilgamesh Taggett will play Annie’s patron, the wealthy industrialist Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks.

“We are proud of the achievements that this musical has attained in the United States d we hope that Indonesian audiences can also take pleasure of the classic story,” the musical’s stage manager, Suzayn MacKenzie Roy, said.

THE MUSIC

Aside from the accolades received for its story and cast, the musical has a Grammy for Best Cast Show for its music.

The most famous and timeless song from the musical is “Tomorrow”. Other favorites, such as “Maybe”, “It’s a Hard Knock Life”, “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile”, “Easy Street”, and “I Don’t Need Anything but You”, will also be performed during the play.

The music for the Annie was composed by Charles Strouse with lyrics written by Martin Charnin, both of who have won Tony Awards for their work.

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Tickets available via kiostix.com or the Ciputra Artpreneur office at Ciputra World 1 Jakarta in Kuningan, South Jakarta. For schedule and more information, visit ciputraartpreneur.com.