May 25,26, June 1,7,8,14, 15, 2025
Annie grew out of Harold Gray’s long-running comic strip Little Orphan Annie, which first appeared in 1924. In the 1970s, composer Charles Strouse, lyricist Martin Charnin, and playwright Thomas Meehan reimagined the familiar comic-strip character for the Broadway stage, setting her story against the hardships of the Great Depression. The show follows the determined young orphan Annie as she escapes the harsh conditions of a New York City orphanage and finds an unexpected home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks.
Annie opened on Broadway in April 1977 and became one of the most successful American musicals of its era. It won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book of a Musical. The original Broadway production ran for nearly six years, while songs such as “Tomorrow,” “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” and “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” became widely recognized beyond the theater. The musical was adapted into a major motion picture in 1982.
2025 was the second time Annie appeared at the Kitsap Forest Theater This time directed by Tina Williamson with assistance from Linda Kappus as music director and Guy Caridi as choreographer. Guy returned to choreography this show for the second time.
As with the previous performance this production hosted a large contingent of young dancers and singers. While most productions of the show usually only have a small number of 'orphans', most of them returned after being in the previous year's Matilda.
Director: Trina Williamson; Music Director: Linda Kappus; Choreographer: Guy Caridi; Accompanist: Cynthia Dario-Good; Stage Manager: Danette Lam; Costumes: Amy Fancher; Props: Angela Templin; Sets: George Pledger & Jim Johnson; Technical Director: Kevin Matthew; Production Manager: Gala Lindvall; Associate Production Managers: Jenny Dreessen and Ila Sarah Dreessen.
