The Whitworthian

Issue date: 2/20/07 Last Updated: 8/9/07

Photo courtesy of Chris Bennion Annie, played by Marissa O'Donnell, stands to sing one of the show's numbers with dog Sandy, played by Lola, faithfully at her side. "Annie" played at the INB Performing Arts Center this past weekend.

Last Thursday night at the INB Performing Arts Center, the headmistress of a New York City home for girls slumped down behind a disorganized desk and wailed disdainfully over her charges, comically slurping on a flask in between notes.

"Lucky me, lucky me, everywhere I look I see … LITTLE GIRLS!"

Miss Hannigan, famed archnemesis of America's favorite orphan, cackled in self-pity during a villainous number in the opening night of WestCoast Entertainment's brand new production of Annie. Played by acclaimed Broadway actress Alene Robertson, the actress said despite her character's disgust for all things little, she is delighted to be sharing the stage with children.

Robertson played her role with great panache, bringing just the right touch of illustrious debauchery and tyrannical crudeness to her role, making Miss Hannigan the stand out counterpart to the cheery and stubbornly optimistic Annie.

"That's enough fresh air for today, kids," she hissed during Act I, waving for the girls to get away from the door after allowing them to breath clean air for ten seconds.

Replacing the every controversial Kathy Lee Gifford who played Miss Hannigan in the last season of "Annie," Robertson has received considerably better reviews.

Originally brought to Broadway by its lyricist Martin Charnin in 1977, this is the show's 30 running year. "Annie" is recipient of seven Tony Awards and continues to be one of the most successful musicals ever, boasting some of Broadway's most memorable scores such as "It's the Hard-Knock Life," (yes, Jay-Z borrowed that phrase for his re-mix), "Easy Street," "N.Y.C.," and "Tomorrow."

"Annie" tells the story of a bright and plucky orphan who goes from rags to riches, finally discovering solace in the arms of billionaire Daddy Warbucks, a self-made man whose heart is softened when the ever buoyant redhead is randomly selected by his lovely assistant Grace Farrell to spend Christmas in his mansion.

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