annie west end tour

• West End & London
• Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024

Annie 2023 tour cast revealed with Craig Revel Horwood, Paul O’Grady, Elaine C Smith & Jodie Prenger

Full casting has been announced for the 2023 tour of musical Annie.

Michael Harrison and David Ian’s production, which previously toured in 2015/16 and 2019, will be back this year from February, opening at Curve Leicester.

The show will then visit venues across the UK, with the role of Miss Hannigan shared throughout the tour by a number of famous faces.

Meet the cast!

Appearing in the role of Miss Hannigan at selected venues will be Craig Revel Horwood , Paul O’Grady , Elaine C Smith and Jodie Prenger .

Craig Revel Horwood will star as ‘Miss Hannigan’ in Leicester, Birmingham, Oxford, Dartford, Nottingham, Woking, Cardiff, Bradford, Southend, Bromley, Norwich, Milton Keynes, Blackpool, Wolverhampton and Belfast (excluding Friday and Saturday’s performances).

Paul O’Grady will play the role in Newcastle, Edinburgh, Southampton, Liverpool, Dublin, Wimbledon and Bristol.

Elaine C Smith will perform in Aberdeen and Glasgow.

Jodie Prenger is scheduled to appear in Stoke-on-Trent and Llandudno.

Alongside them will be Alex Bourne as Oliver Warbucks, Paul French as Rooster, Amelia Adams as Grace Farrell, and Billie-Kay as Lily St. Regis.

The title role of Annie is shared by Zoe Akinyosade, Harlie Barthram and Poppy Cunningham. They are joined by three teams of young performers who play the residents of Miss Hannigan’s orphanage.

Completing the cast will be Emily Barnett-Salter, Alistair Beattie, David Burrows , Sergi Ibanez, Rosalind James, Belle Kizzy Green, Ellie May-Wilson, Martin McCarthy, Phoebe Roberts, Lukin Simmonds, Matthew Sweet, Dawn Williams and Tommy Wade-Smith.

Annie 2023 tour tickets, dates and venues &raqo;

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search…

Annie has Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Martin Charnin and a Book by Thomas Meehan. It is directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster with set and costume design by Colin Richmond, choreography by Nick Winston, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Richard Brooker.

More on: Craig Revel Horwood Jodie Prenger Martin McCarthy Paul French News

Josh is Stageberry's editor with over five years of experience writing about theatre in the West End and across the UK. Prior to following his passion for musicals, he worked for more than a decade as a TV journalist.

popular now

Cast announced for Kiss Me, Kate revival in London

New British musical Cable Street to return to London

Spring Awakening anniversary concert announces cast

Cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang UK tour with Adam Garcia

Just For One Day musical cast recording announced

In Pieces musical concert to play London

The Lord Of The Rings - A Musical Tale to make US premiere

Mamma Mia! The Musical

I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical

Chicago The Musical

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Elf the Musical

What’s New

Everything to Know About NBC’s Annie

NBC presents Annie, the most recent live musical to be featured on television.  The musical adaptation of Harold Gray’s comic strip, “Little Orphan…

The Characters of Annie Music Play

The characters in Annie’s music play are the orphans from Miss Hannigan’s infamous orphanage. While the exact order of their ages may vary,…

• Upcoming Events
• Group Discounts
• Student Tickets
• Seating Map
• Tickets FAQ
• Gallagher Bluedorn Block Party Series

The Gallagher Bluedorn Ticket Office is temporarily located at Strayer-Wood Theatre  1505 W 27th St, Cedar Falls, IA  Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Call : (319) 273-7469  Email : [email protected]

• Blog/Stories
• Community Impact

Find videos, photos, news and more. Read the latest in our blog . 

We need your support now more than ever. Become a Friend today.

• Join Friends
• Seat Sponsors
• Ovation Society
• Gallagher Bluedorn Capital Campaign
• Supporting the Kaleidoscope Series

Now offering a Virtual Series!  Bringing the arts to YOU with free online access.

• About Kaleidoscope Series
• Upcoming Kaleidoscope Events
• FAQ and Your Visit to Kaleidoscope
• Kaleidoscope Virtual Series

Need to contact us ?

Gallagher Bluedorn Main Office:  Phone: (319) 273-3660 Fax: (319) 273-7470 Email:   [email protected]

UNItix Box Office Phone:  (319) 273-4TIX (4849) Email :  [email protected]

• Before Your Visit
• Accessibility
• Booking + Rentals
• Get Involved
• Health and Safety Suggestions

Annie the Musical

Show Information

ANNIE THE MUSICAL

Book, Music and Lyrics by Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse, and Martin Charnin

Scenic Design Wilson Chin

Costume Design Alejo Vietti

Lightning Design Phillip Rosenberg

Sound Design Ken Travis

Hair Design Ashley Rae Callahan

Orchestrations Dan Delange

Animal Director and Trainer William Berloni

Music Supervisor Matthew Smedal

Music Director Jennifer Christina

Music Coordinator Talitha Fehr

Casting Hardt Casting, LLC

Tour Booking Agency Bond Theatrical

Producer & Tour Management  Crossroads Live

Company Manager Soldanela Rivera

Assistant Company Manager Aaron Martin

Production Stage Manager Anna Klevit

Assistant Production Stage Manager Katy Gentry

General Management Deanna Marie Kirsch

Executive Producer Jayna Neagle

Production Managment Networks Presentations Walker White

Music Supervision and Vocal Arrangements Stephen Oremus

Directed By Jenn Thompson

Choreography By Patricia Wilcox

Back to top

Annie......................................................................... Rainier (Rainey) Treviño Molly................................................................................................ Jade Smith Duffy.......................................................................................... Arianna Guller July ........................................................................................ Savannah Austin Tessie............................................................................ Kylie Noelle Patterson Kate ............................................................................................ Addy Jaymes Pepper........................................................................................... Avery Hope Miss Hannigan ..................................................................... Stefanie Londino Grace Farrell...................................................................... Julia Nicole Hunter Oliver Warbucks.................................................................. Christopher Swan Rooster Hannigan.................................................................... Jeffrey T. Kelly Lily St. Regis...................................................................... Samantha Stevens Star to Be............................................................................... Savannah Fisher Burt Healy ................................................................................. Kaleb Jenkins Drake ........................................................................................ Tony Mowatt FDR......................................................................................... Mark Woodard

Sandy ........................................................................................ Georgie Ensemble ................... Savannah Fisher, Jerquintez A. Gipson, Caroline Glazier, Chance K. Ingalls,

Kaleb Jenkins, Tony Mowatt, Kaylie Mae Wallace, Nick Traficante, Jaelle Laguerre

Understudies Understudies never substitute for the listed players unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance. For Annie— Avery Hope For Miss Hannigan— Jaelle Laguerre, Caroline Glazier For Oliver Warbucks— Tony Mowatt , Mark Woodard For Rooster— Kaleb Jenkins, Nick Traficante

For Molly- Addy Jaymes

For Grace Farrell and Lily St. Regis- Caroline Glazier, Kaylie Mae Wallace

For FDR- Tony Mowatt

Swings Callie Alexa, Brooke Olivia Gatto, Trent Tyson  

Dance Captian Callie Alexa

Assistant Dance Captian Trent Tyson

There will be one 20-minute intermission

Who's Who In The Cast

RAINIER (RAINEY) TREVIÑO ( Annie ) is humbly honored to bring this spunky icon of optimism and resilience to life. Forever grateful to the Annie creatives and Paul Hardt. Special thanks to Kim Pedell, Marc Tumminelli, Lisa Wallace, Hugh Copeland, Candice Heidelberg-Denison, Amelia DeMayo, Gulnara Mitzanova, Dianna Swenson, Hurrah Players, my family and friends. @rainiertrevino

STEFANI LONDINO  ( Miss Hannigan ) Stefanie is a NYC-based actor/musician/songwriter. National tours: Annie (Miss Hannigan), A Bronx Tale (Rosina), Fiddler on the Roof (Shaindel). Off-Broadway: The Mayor of Williamsburg (HERE Arts Center), What Do Critics Know? (The York Theater), Flak House (Actors Temple Theater), Red Wine in Paper Cups (TheaterNOW). Regional: My Name is Asher Lev (Playhouse on Park), Honky Tonk Angels (STONC). BFA University of Utah ATP. Lead singer of rock band West Side Waltz, music out everywhere! Endless gratitude to Hubs, JB, Boo. Follow the shen-Hannigans on IG @stefanielondino

CHRISTOPHER SWAN ( Oliver Warbucks ) is delighted to be returning to Annie for year two. Previously seen as Wilbur opposite Nina West in the 20th anniversary tour of Hairspray. Other national tours include R&H’s Cinderella (Sebastian), Guys and Dolls (Nathan Detroit), My Fair Lady (Doolittle) and the first national of A Christmas Story: The Musical (The Old Man). Regional: Footloose (The Rev), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Theatre by the Sea), Angels In America (Ark Rep). Boston Conservatory graduate and U.S Army veteran. Thanks to Jenn and Patti and much love to my wife Laura. IG: @chriswanlives

JULIA NICOLE HUNTER  ( Grace Farrell ) is thrilled to be returning to Annie. She is originally from Nashville TN, but currently based in New York City. Previous credits include: In The Heights (Nina) at the Walnut Street Theatre; The Color Purple (Nettie); Nunsense (Sister Amnesia); and a principal vocalist for Burn The Floor and Norwegian Cruise Lines. Forever grateful for her family and friends for their endless love and support! IG: @ju1ia.nico1e

JEFFREY T. KELLY ( Rooster Hannigan ) is ecstatic to be joining the company of Annie! AMDA NYC grad, recent credits include Fluke (Million Dollar Quartet, Shadowland Stages) & Tommy Devito (Jersey Boys, Playhouse on the Square). Thanks to the fam, Chondra Profit/FSE Team, and the entire Annie creative team for the support and opportunity! IG: @jeffreytkellytheatre

SAMANTHA STEVENS ( Lily St. Regis ) National tour debut! Samantha is a proud Brit based in NYC. Favorite Regional Credits: White Christmas (Betty), Guys and Dolls (Adelaide), Kinky Boots (Lauren), The Handmaid’s Musical (Offred). Sometimes ‘Marilyn’ ( www.MonroeMoments.com ). Special thanks to Paul, Jenn, Patti & Matt. For Mom across the ocean & Dad amongst the stars. IG: @SamanthauStevens

MARK WOODARD ( FDR, Understudy for Warbucks ) Mark is overjoyed to be returning for the second year of the Annie North American tour! Regional Credits: Disney’s Newsies (Gateway Playhouse); Oklahoma! (Ogunquit Playhouse); 42nd Street (The REV); The Producers, Bells Are Ringing, South Pacific (PIttsburgh CLO); A Christmas Carol (Alabama Shakespeare Festival); Spamalot, Mamma Mia, (Palace Theatre, NH). Television: Guest Star & Co-Star roles: “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “SVU,” “Billions,” “As The World Turns,” “Neon Joe: Werewolf Hunter.” IG: @actnman88

SAVANNA AUSTIN  ( July ) Savannah is thrilled to make her national tour debut with Annie! Endless gratitude to Christian Arts Theatre, Rance Wright, Angela Pulsifer, LA Talent, her coaches, family and friends. Savannah thanks her mom, dad and God. Inspiring others to continue to dream big! MATILDA (Matilda: CAT production) IG: @savannahbanana_12

ADDIE JAYMES  ( Kate, Understudy for Molly ) Addie is grateful to be making her national tour debut. Special thanks to her family and friends, Jenn Thompson, Patti Wilcox, Paul Hardt Casting, Daniella Castoria, Ginna Claire Mason, Nancy Carson, Allan Fawcett, Lauryn Ciardullo, Starlight PAC, and the amazing production team. Recent credits: “Annie Warbucks” (Annie, Surflight Theatre). IG: @addie_jaymes

ARIANNA GULLER ( Duffy ) is delighted to make her national tour debut! Favorite roles: “Matilda” (Matilda), “Charlie Bucket” (Willy Wonka), “Belle” (Beauty and the Beast). Gratitude to Connecting Talent, my amazing teachers Jose Cruz, Daniel Stocker, Kirk Geritano, Philip Chen, Dance Molinari, Mom, Dad, Estee and Grandma. A dream come true! IG: @ariannagullerofficial

AVERY HOPE ( Pepper ) National tour debut! Leapin’ Lizards! Previous credits include Kelly Clarkson’s NBC Christmas Special (featured singer); Panda Corner (Candymaker). Avery is grateful for the support from her dad, mom/vocal coach, family, and friends. Special thanks to Carson-Adler Agency, Paul Hardt Casting, Michael Lavine, and Crossroads Live! IG: @averyhope_official

KYLIE NOELLE PATTERSON ( Tessie )  Debuting on the Annie national tour has been a dream for Kylie. This California girl hopes to inspire others to explore their passion in theater. She is grateful to Royal Theater Academy and her friends and family for their support.

JADE SMITH ( Molly ) Jade is so excited to be a part of the Annie tour. This has always been her dream to play the role of “Molly” in the iconic theatrical production of Annie. She is so grateful to be a part of this amazing cast. She would like to thank all of her cast mates, production, her agent Bonnie Shumofsky at Stewart Talent and her management at Parkside talent.

SAVANNAH FISHER ( Ensemble/Star to Be ) previous credits include national tours; Jesus Christ Superstar (“Soul Singer”), Dog Man the Musical! (“Flippy”). Regional; Guys and Dolls (“Sarah Brown”), Godspell and Ragtime. Other favorites include: Sister Act (“Deloris Van Cartier”) and The Wiz (“Glinda”). A very special thanks to my loving family, friends, D’Marreon and The Price Group agency! IG: @savannahmfisher

JERQUINTEZ A. GIPSON ( Ensemble ) received a B.F.A in Musical Theatre and a Minor in Dance. Some theatre credits include: national tour: Elf The Musical (“Store Manager”). Regional: Sister Act(“Eddie”), The Color Purple (“Preacher/Adam”), Kinky Boots (“Lola”), Trouble in Mind (“John Nevins”) and much more. He enjoys performing any chance he gets and loves to inspire others to never give up. Thank you to Carla (Mother) and Terriney (Sister) for everything. To see more of him: Instagram @Jxlonzo

CAROLINE GLAZIER ( Ensemble, Understudy for Grace Ferrell, Lily St. Regis and Miss Hannigan ) National tour debut! Off-Broadway: Friends! The Musical Parody (“Rachel Green”). Other credits: The Sound of Music (“Maria”), Sweeney Todd (“Ensemble”), Cabaret (“Sally Bowles”). University of Michigan: BFA Musical Theater. Thank you to HKA, as well as my family, friends, and fiancé Aaron for supporting me and my dreams!

CHANCE K. INGALLS  ( Ensemble ) is excited to be making his tour debut with Annie! He’s from Kapolei, HI, and earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre from Oklahoma City University. He is so grateful for the people in his life who support him. He couldn’t do it without them!

KALEB JENKINS ( Ensemble, Burt Healy, Understudy for Rooster Hannigan and Drake ) National tour: Hairspray (“Brad”). Regional: Parade (“Britt Craig”), Oklahoma! (“Curly”), Into the Woods (“Baker”), Saturday Night  Fever. Charlotte, NC native. CCU alum #chantsup! Many thanks to Josh at ASA, Paul Hardt, the Annie team, and my wife/bff Karen. IG @kalebjacejenkins, TikTok @kaleslaw

JAELLE LAGUERRE  ( Ensemble, Understudy for Miss Hannigan ) Leaping Lizards Jaelle is thrilled to return for her second year with the red head musical! Recent credits include Cinderella, Buddy Holly, A Christmas Carol (NSMT) Rock of Ages (The Engeman Theatre) Six (NCL) Mamma Mia (Argyle Theatre). Syracuse University (BFA) Love to her parents, brother and God. Thanks to HkA, Paul, Jenn, Pattie and the creatives! IG: @Jaellelaguerre

TONY MAWATT ( Ensemble, Drake, Understudy for Warbucks and FDR ) National tour: CATS (2021-2023). Off-Broadway: Little Match Girl (St. Luke’s Theatre), Whiskey Pants: The Mayor of Williamsburg (HERE). Select NYC/Regional: “Lumière” in Beauty and the Beast (Rodeheaver Auditorium), “Leo Frank” in Parade(Bullet Theatre Collaborative), Twisted Operettas (Joe’s Pub), An Octoroon (Kean Stage), The Producers, Legally Blonde (Woodstock Playhouse). IG: @baloneytones

NICK TRAFICANTE ( Ensemble, Understudy for Rooster Hannigan ) Nick is a Pittsburgh native and a recent graduate of Ithaca College BFA MT! Regional: Evita (“Ensemble”) at The REV Theatre Co. and A Chorus Line(“Bobby”) and Mamma Mia! (“Sky”) at New London Barn Playhouse. Special thanks to Avalon Artists Group, Mom, Johnny, Elena, and Santina. IG: @nicktraf

KAYLIE MAE WALLACE ( Ensemble, Understudy for Grace Farrell and Lily St. Regis ) National tour debut! Kaylie is a Pittsburgh native with a BFA in Musical Theatre from University of Michigan. Now residing in NYC, her favorite credits include: Grey Gardens (“Young Little Edie”), Into the Woods, and Sweeney Todd. Thanks to Jenn, Patti, Jen, Paul, Crossroads Live, and all my loved ones!

CALLIE ALEXA ( Swing, Dance Captain ) is delighted to be making her national tour debut! Credits include: Mary Poppins, Elf, 42nd Street, Beehive, Annie (Prather Productions). International/Cruise Lines: RCCL, RWS, MSC. Much love to her Mom, Sister and supporters all over! Thank you to casting and creatives! Smile, darn ya, smile! IG: @callieaalexa

BROOKE OLIVIA GATTO  ( Swing ) Brooke is delighted to be touring with Annie! Credits include: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (national tour), and Into the Breeches (International City Theatre). BFA: Cal State Fullerton. Special thanks to her family, friends, and agents at FSE! IG: @brookeoliviagatto

TRENT TYSON ( Swing, Assistant Dance Captain ) is elated for his national tour debut! Previous credits: Kinky Boots (Slow Burn), A Chorus Line (Interlakes), A Christmas Carol (ZACH), Production Singer/Dancer on Celebrity Cruise Lines. Boston Conservatory ’21, ZACH Theatre PPC Alumni. Huge thanks to Brian at The Hell’s Kitchen Agency and my amazing friends and family!

GEORGIE  ( Sandy ) was adopted in spring 2022 by Bill Berloni from a private owner and his story mimics “Sandy’s.” One of Bill’s trainers was leaving a kill shelter in Central PA where she volunteers when a man came walking out with Georgie. The trainer asked the man if he was giving up this dog and his reply was, “I tried to leave him here but they said they were full and told me to go to the shelter in the next county.” The trainer said, “If you give me 24 hours I may have a home for him.” 24 hours later, he was at the home of Bill and began his new life as an actor. Last year he was the understudy to “Sandy” and this year is proud to have taken over the role.

BAILEY  ( Understudy for Sandy ) was rescued by Bill Berloni from Puppy Love Rescue in Louisiana. He is a Poodle mixed with something large. Theater: Finding Neverland, “Porthos;” National Tour: Peter Pan “Nana;” Shakespeare Theater, Washington DC, Because Of Winn Dixie (Understudy) “Winn Dixie;” Goodspeed Musicals and Annie“Sandy” at the Children’s Theater of Minneapolis.

THOMAS MEEHAN  ( Book ) is a three-time Tony Award winning librettist for the Broadway musicals Annie,1977; The Producers,2001 (co-written with Mel Brooks); and Hairspray, 2003 (co-written with Mark O’Donnell). He collaborated on many Broadway musicals including I Remember Mama; Ain’t Broadway Grand; Bombay Dreams (with Meera Syal); Cry Baby (with Mark O’Donnell); Young Frankenstein (with MelBrooks); Elf, The Musical (with Bob Martin); Chaplin (with Christopher Curtis); Rocky; the upcoming Dave, The Musical (with Nell Benjamin); and the off-Broadway musicals, Annie Warbucks; Death Takes a Holiday (with Peter Stone) and the upcoming The Lady Eve (with Maury Yeston). He was a long-time contributor of humor pieces to The New Yorker, which we republished in a collection entitled Yma, Ava, Yma, Abba, Yma, Oona, Yma, Ida, Yma Aga... and Others, by Simon and Schuster. Mr. Meehan, in collaboration with the poet J.D. McClatchy, co-authored the libretto of the opera 1984, composed by Lorin Maazel, first performed at London’s Royal Opera House at Covent Garden in 2005. He was an Emmy Award winning writer of television comedy, and a collaborator on screenplays, including Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs, To Be or Not To Be, The Producers and One Magic Christmas. He was a member of the Council of the Dramatists Guild.

MARTIN CHARNIN  ( Lyrics ) Martin’s career in the entertainment industry began in 1957 when he created the role of Big Deal (one of Jerome Robbins’ authentic juvenile delinquents) in the original company of West Side Story. He played the role for exactly 1,000 performances. Since then, he was involved in over 140 theatrical, television, film, and night club productions as a director, producer, composer, or lyricist. He is one of the dozen people who have won Emmys, Tonys, and Grammys, and the Peabody Award for Broadcasting. Annie, which came to Broadway in 1977, originally ran for 2,377 performances, and has been revived there three times. He directed Annie 19 times (after directing the original production in New York), in London, Montreal, Amsterdam, and Melbourne as well as Annie’s 14 national U.S. companies. He collaborated with Charles Strouse, Vernon Duke, Marvin Hamlisch, Mary Rodgers, and twice with Richard Rodgers on I Remember Mama and Two by Two. He wrote for, or directed, Fred Astaire, Ethel Merman, Jack Lemmon, Ann-Margaret, Jack Benny, Anne Bancroft, Betty Hutton, Sutton Foster, Sarah Jessica Parker, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bebe Neuwirth, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Larry Kert, Chita Rivera, Jane Lynch, Tony Bennett, Jason Alexander, and Jay-Z, among countless others, and for his wife, Shelly Burch (who originated a leading role in the original company of Nine). Most recently, “Tomorrow” from Annie became one of the 100 most performed musical numbers in the last century. 

CHARLES STROUSE  ( Music ) A graduate of New York’s P.S. 87, Townsend Harris H.S., and the Eastman School of Music, Charles has studied composition with Aaron Copland, Arthur Berger, and David Diamond in the US and Nadia Boulanger in Paris. Charles has composed copious chamber music, two piano concertos, a string quartet and two operas. After which, being broke like most composers, he was a rehearsal pianist and dance arranger for many shows, played in bar rooms, ballet classes, at weddings and strip joints (a particular boon for one who was to write the music for the film The Night They Raided Minsky’s). One morning in 1960 he awoke to find he had written (with Lee Adams and Mike Stewart) Bye Bye Birdie (Tony Award), which is still among the most performed musicals in America, followed by Golden Boy with Sammy Davis, Jr. (Tony Nomination). Then came, Applause (Tony Award), It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman, Rags (Tony Nomination) and Annie(Tony Award). In-between, therehave been scores for movies including Bonnie and Clyde and All Dogs Go to Heaven. Throughout his career, Charles has received the Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, Frederick Lowe and the Leonard Bernstein Awards for musical achievement. He is married to director/choreographer Barbara Siman and is the father of Benjamin (attorney, author, composer), Nicholas (psychotherapist), Victoria (screen writer) and William (also a screen writer).

JENN THOMPSON ( Director ) is thrilled to be helming the national tour of Annie after having appeared as Pepper in the original Broadway run, many moons ago. Recent credits include the World-Premiere musical Anne of Green Gables-A New Musical at Goodspeed Opera House (available on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, etc.) where she has also directed Gypsy, Bye Bye Birdie, Oklahoma! and The Music Man. Other recent credits include Diary of a Wimpy Kid-The Musical at Children’s Theatre Company in association with Kevin McCollum and Buena Vista Theatrical (watch for upcoming album release) as well as Chains and Conflict for Off-Broadway’s celebrated Mint Theatre, where Jenn’s 2016 production of Women Without Men garnered both Lortel and Off-Broadway Alliance Award nominations for Outstanding Revival as well as 5 Drama Desk Award nominations including Outstanding Director and Revival. In addition to extensive productions in NYC, Jenn’s work has been seen at theaters across the country including; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Denver Center, Hartford Stage, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Portland Stage, City Theatre, Barrington Stage, Theater Aspen, Theaterworks Hartford, Pioneer, The Rev, Arizona Theatre Company, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival and many more. Jenn is married to actor Stephen Kunken, they live in Brooklyn NY with their daughter Naomi. This is for Martin, Charles, Tom and Peter. jennthompsondirector.com

PATRICIA WILCOX  ( Choreographer ) choreographed Motown the Musical, for which she won the Fred Astaire Award and an NAACP Award. Motown enjoyed long runs on Broadway and in the West End, and numerous tours here and abroad. Also, on Broadway and on tour, Ms. Wilcox choreographed A Night with Janis Joplin. At Encores! Off-Center, she choreographed the critically acclaimed Little Shop of Horrors, which starred Jake Gyllenhaal and Ellen Greene. National tours: An Officer and a Gentleman, Children’s Letters to God, Bowfire (and the resulting PBS special), Blues in the Night (NAACP Nomination), and Seussical. Selected regional: The Secret Garden (Denver Center); Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Children’s Theatre Company); Beautiful (The Muny), The Music Man (Connecticut Critics Circle Award), Bye Bye Birdie (Connecticut Critics Circle nomination) and Gypsy at Goodspeed Opera House. Her work has been seen at The Kennedy Center, The Old Globe, The Alley Theatre, The McCarter Theatre, Missouri Repertory Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre, Pioneer Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus, ATC, and Paper Mill Playhouse. Ms. Wilcox created original works for the Houston Symphony, Minnesota Pops, Phoenix Symphony, Lyrics & Lyricists at the 92nd Street Y, Broadway Under the Stars, Norwegian Cruise Line, as well as for ice-skating medalists for three Winter Olympics. Pattiwilcox.com

WILSON CHIN ( Scenic Design ) Broadway: Cost of Living, Pass Over (Drama Desk and Lortel Award nominations), Next Fall. Off Broadway: Roundabout Theatre Company, Second Stage, Manhattan Theatre Club, Lincoln Center, Playwrights Horizons, Public Theater, Signature Theatre. With director Jenn Thompson: The Secret Garden (Denver Center Theatre), Oklahoma and Anne of Green Gables (Goodspeed Musicals). Opera: Turandot (Washington National Opera), Lucia di Lammermoor (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Eine Florentinische Tragödie/Gianni Schicchi (Canadian Opera, Dora Award winner). Film/television: PassOver (dir. Spike Lee), “Game Theory with Bomani Jones” (HBO), “Blindspot” (NBC). Eastern Region Board member of Local USA 829. Instagram: @wilsonchindesign

ALEJO VALETTI ( Costume Design ) Broadway’s Holiday Inn, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (West End–Olivier Nomination, National Tour, Japan and Australia), and Allegiance (Drama Desk Nomination). Designed for Radio City Rockettes, Roundabout, Manhattan Theatre Club, NYC Opera and City Center Encores among others. He has extensively worked in Regional Theatres across the U.S., commercial projects, operas, and for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He is the recipient of the 2010 TDF Irene Sharaff Young Master Award. IG: @alejo_vietti_costume_design

PHILIP S. ROSENBERG  ( Lighting Design ) Broadway and West End: Mrs. Doubtfire, Pretty Woman, The Elephant Man, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and It’s Only a Play. Regional: Kennedy Center, La Jolla Playhouse, Ford’s Theatre, The Guthrie Theater, The Old Globe, Theatre Works, Hartford Stage, Alliance, Huntington Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Dallas Theatre Center, Denver Center Theatre, The Alley Theatre, Arena Stage, The McCarter Theatre, Manhattan School of Music, Portland Stage Company, TACT, Barrington Stage Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Dorset Theatre Festival, Bay Street Theatre, Goodspeed Opera, Two River Theatre Company, George Street Playhouse, and Westport Country Playhouse.

KEN TRAVIS ( Sound Design ) Broadway: In Transit, Disney’s Aladdin (MX, UK, DE, JP, AU, US), Jekyll and Hyde, A Christmas Story the Musical, Scandalous, Newsies, Memphis, The Three Penny Opera, Barefoot in the Park and Steel Magnolias. Numerous national tours and regional productions at theaters across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

ASHLEY RAE CALLAHAN  ( Hair & Wig Design ) (She/Her) is an Emmy Nominated Hairstylist. Her design work includes Annie (national tour) West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Muny) Evita (ART, STC & NYCity Center) Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (NWS & Maltz Jupiter) and Once Upon a One More Time (STC). Broadway & Television Associate/Assistant Designer Credits include: New York New York, Beetlejuice, Ain’t Too Proud, NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live!, Summer, The Color Purple Revival, Holiday Inn, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Allegiance. Television/Movies Hairstyling: The Crowded Room, Stranger Things, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Ghosted, Oppenheimer, Eileen, Law and Order: SVU & The Gilded Age.

WILLIAM BERLONI ( Animal Director and Trainer ) 2011 Tony Honoree for Excellence in Theatre. William found and adopted the original Sandy for the original production of Annie. Since then, all the animals he trains are rescues. Broadway: Twenty six shows which include The Ferryman, The Crucible, Bullets Over Broadway, Lady at the Emerson Bar and Grill, Annie (original and all revivals), A Christmas Story The Musical, Legally Blonde, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Camelot, Alice in Wonderland, Oliver!, Anything Goes, The Wiz and The Wizard of Oz. Mr. Berloni is the Animal Director of the new musical Because of Winn Dixie with music by Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Nell Benjamin. He has trained animals for hundreds of Off-Broadway, regional theatre, tours, television and movies. Recent movies include Marry Me with Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson. He provided the dogs to play “Nana” in Peter Pan Live, “Toto” in The Wiz Live and recently “Sandy” in Annie Live. Other television includes “Power,” “Billions,” “Sesame Street,” “High Maintenance,” “The Village,” “Modern Love,” “Little Voice,” “Almost Family,” “Betty,” “Ramy,” “Mr. Robot,” Russian Doll,” “Raising Kanan Ghost,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Girls5eva,”“Sand Dollar Cove,” “Noel Diary,” “Life and Beth,” “Inside Amy Schumer,” “Fleishman is in Trouble,” “Harlem,” “Three Women” and “And Just Like That.” Mr. Berloni and his family are the subjects of Discovery the docu-series entitled “Wags to Riches with Bill Berloni” in August 2015. Published author of Broadway Trails. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter @BillBerloni. theatricalanimals.com

HARDT CASTING, LLC ( Casting ) Paul has had the honor to have served as Casting Director on the following projects: Broadway: West Side Story, Come Fly Away, August: Osage County, A Moon for the Misbegotten, On Golden Pond, Hot Feet, Caine Mutiny Court Martial and the upcoming Once Upon a One More Time. National Tours: West Side Story (US and World Tour), A Bronx Tale, Dirty Dancing, Legends!, Whistle Down the Wind, On Golden Pond, August: Osage County, The Bodyguard, and the current running tour of Cats Regional Theatres include: Goodspeed Opera House, Bucks County Playhouse, Delaware Theatre Company, TheaterWorks Hartford, TUTS, Pasadena Playhouse and Asolo Rep.

MATTHEW SMEDAL ( Music Supervisor ) Randy Cohen and Randy Cohen Keyboards have programmed over 95 Broadway shows including Hamilton, Book of Mormon, Dear Evan Hansen, Frozen, Pretty Woman, Ain’t Too Proud, Bring It On, In The Heights, SpongeBob, Summer, Once On This Island, Anastasia, Kinky Boots, Bandstand, On Your Feet, and Rock of Ages .

TALITHA FEHL ( Music Coordinator ) has worked on over 75 national and international productions and tours since 2005. Highlights include: Sister Act, Mamma Mia!, School of Rock, Come Fly Away, Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, as well as the 2010 Olympic Ceremonies in Vancouver. She dedicates her work on Annie to the memory of her mentor, Sam Lutfiyya.

DAN DELANGE ( Orchestrations ) is the resident orchestrator at Goodspeed Musicals, where he has orchestrated over 50 new and newly revived productions. His orchestrations were recently heard in the West End’s production of Show Boat, which was nominated for Best Musical Revival at the 2017 Olivier Awards in London. He has orchestrated for The Jim Henson Company, Julie Andrews, Rosie O’Donnell, Live Theatricals at Universal Studios, Manhattan Concert Productions, and for composers Paul Williams, Jerry Herman, Harvey Schmitt, Mark Hollman, Peter Link, Charles Strouse and Stephen Schwartz. His scores have been heard on Broadway, London’s West End, Carnegie Hall, National and European tours, film, television, and at regional theaters around the world. He’s a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

JENNIFER CHRISTINE ( Music Director )  is delighted to return to Annie for a second season this time as the Music Director! Her recent credits include Annie(national tour), Dreamgirls (international tour), Singin’ in the Rain (Ogunquit Playhouse), Bodyguard, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia! (Theatre by the Sea). Home base is Rhode Island. Follow on instagram @jen_christina and come along for the tour!

DAVE BURCH  ( Technical Director ) began his career as a scenic fabricator before transitioning to touring Broadway theater, where he has worked for the past 13 years. His favorite touring credits include The Phantom of the Opera,World Tour and Mamma Mia! (where he met his wife during a scene change). He is originally from Savannah Ga., has traveled to 30 countries and when not on the road he lives in Florida with his wife, newborn twins and their cat.

HEATHER CHOCKLEY ( Production Manager ) joined the CXL team 5 years ago after having toured, both nationally and internationally, for 15 years. After that lifetime on the road, she finds she likes not living out of a suitcase the whole time. Now based in the DC metro area, she also does a bit of political event work, and shares the crew member recruiting responsibilities at CXL.

ANNA KLEVIT ( Production Stage Manager ) is elated to be a part of Annie! National tours: My Fair Lady; Rudolph...the Musical. Selected regional credits: What We Talk About...(Old Globe); Into the Woods, Matilda, Fireflies, Culture Clash (South Coast Repertory); Memphis, Once on this Island (Moonlight Amphitheatre). This one’s for Mom and Dad.

KATY GENTRY ( Assistant Stage Manager ) Regional: Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Asolo Rep, Signature Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Orlando Shakes. Most recently: Annie national tour, 2022-23. Katy holds a BFA from the University of Central Florida. 

DEANA MARIE KIRSCH  ( General Manager ) is excited to join Crossroads Live North America. She brings with her over two decades of experience, having worked on exceptional shows such as Absinthe, A Chorus Line, BAZ, Criss Angel Mindfreak, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Jersey Boys, Magic Mike Live, and Mat Franco. After a 12-year residency in Las Vegas, she is thrilled to return to touring musicals. 

SOLDANELA RIVERA ( Company Manager )  Over 150 credits in production and publicity for music, theater, and film. National Tour of My Fair Lady and thrilled to be a part of Annie! Soldanela holds a BA from Sarah Lawrence College with a concentration in dance, and an MA in Arts Administration from TC Columbia University. Learn more at www.soldanela.com

AARON MARTIN ( Assistant Company Manager ) Aaron is originally from Adger, Alabama and a graduate of Jacksonville State University. He recently worked as the ACM on the Anastasia national tour and regionally as the ACM and the CM at Berkshire Theatre Group, Westin Playhouse, Maine State Music Theatre, and Florida Rep.

CROSSROADS LIVE ( Producer & Tour Management ) brings together some of the world’s top producers of live entertainment, now all under one banner. With offices in London, New York, Washington, D.C., Sydney, and Melbourne—our global platform ensures the best-loved titles from Broadway and the West End can be embraced by audiences around the world. Crossroads Live North America is an innovative,full-service theatrical production company delivering the Broadway experience to audiences in North America and beyond. Our 2023-2024 Season: Annie, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, My Fair Lady, Pretty Woman, The Phantom of the Opera (China).

JAYNA NEAGLE  ( Executive Producer ) For Cirque du Soleil: ’Twas the Night Before, Paramour (Broadway, Hamburg); The Wiz (NBC production). For BASE Entertainment: Arrabal (Buenos Aires, Toronto), Jersey Boys (Johannesburg, Asian tour), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (São Paulo), The Lion King (Singapore), Jerry Mitchell’s Peepshow (Las Vegas), Wayne Brady: Making Sh%@ Up (Las Vegas)

BOND THEATRICAL ( Tour Booking, Marketing & Publicity ) is an independently owned theatrical booking, marketing and publicity company representing award-winning Broadway shows and live entertainment properties. BOND connects artists and audiences by forming strategic, authentic and profitable partnerships between producers and presenters across North America. For a complete list of current projects, please visit BondTheatrical.com.

NEURO TOUR ( Physical Therapy ) Carolyn Lawson PT, founder and CEO. Global leaders in live entertainment, film, and performing arts medicine. We are honored to be part of the amazing company of Annie. Highlights: Broadway: Disney’s The Lion King, Hello, Dolly!, The Music Man, The Cher Show. Tours: Movin’ Out, Tootsie, Hamilton. Concerts: P!NK, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, U2.

MUSICAL THEATRE INTERNATIONAL  ( Licensee ) MTI is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser, and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 70,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 60 countries worldwide. MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior shows are 30-and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students. MTI maintains its global headquarters in NYC with additional offices in London (MTI Europe) and Melbourne (MTI Australasia).

VASI LAURENCE ( Co-Producer ) Theater/Film: Passing Strange (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award/BestMusical) and made into an award-winning film directed by Spike Lee. Other credits: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, Tootsie (National Tour), several Off Broadway shows and film projects, including the award-winning play The Housewives of Mannheim. Many thanks to Marcia and Tom Nigro, Linda and Michael Standley, and Lois Barth. We are delighted to be partnering with Crossroads Live North America. [email protected]

General Management Deana Marie Kirsch

Production Management Heather Chockley

Producer & Tour Management Crossroads Live

Tour Booking, Marketing & Publicity Direction Bond Theatrical 

Production Stage Manager .................... Anna Klevit Assistant Stage Manager ....................... Katy Gentry Company Manager ......................... Soldalena Rivera Assistant Company Manager .............. Aaron Martin

Friends of the Gallagher Bluedorn

THOMAS MEEHAN

Thomas Meehan is a three-time Tony Award winning librettist for the Broadway musicals Annie , 1977; The Producers , 2001 ( co-written with Mel Brooks); and Hairspray , 2003 (co – written with Mark O’Donnell). He collaborated on many Broadway musicals including I Remember Mama; Ain’t Broadway Grand; Bombay Dreams (with Meera Syal); Cry Baby (with Mark O’Donnell); Young Frankenstein (with Mel Brooks); Elf, The Musical (with Bob Martin); Chaplin (with Christopher Curtis); Rocky ; the upcoming Dave, The Musical (with Nell Benjamin); and the off-Broadway musicals, Annie Warbucks ; Death Takes a Holiday (with Peter Stone) and the upcoming The Lady Eve (with Maury Yeston). He was a long-time contributor of humor pieces to The New Yorker , which were published in a collection entitled Yma, Ava, Yma, Abba, Yma, Oona, Yma, Ida, Yma Aga… and Others , by Simon and Schuster. Mr. Meehan, in collaboration with the poet J.D. McClatchy, co-authored the libretto of the opera 1984 , composed by Lorin Maazel, first performed at London’s Royal Opera House at Covent Garden in 2005. He was an Emmy Award winning writer of television comedy, and a collaborator on screenplays, including Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs , To Be or Not To Be , The Producers and One Magic Christmas . He was a member of the Council of the Dramatists Guild.. 

MARTIN CHARNIN

Martin’s career in the entertainment indu s try began in 1957 when he created the role of Big Deal (one of Jerome Robbins’ authentic juvenile delinquents) in the original company of West Side Story . He played the role for exactly 1,000 performances. Since then, he was involved in over 140 theatrical, television, film, and night club productions as a director, producer, composer, or lyricist. He is one of the dozen people who have won Emmys, Tonys, and Grammys, and the Peabody Award for Broadcasting. Annie , which came to Broadway in 1977, originally ran for 2,377 performances, and has been revived there three times. He directed Annie 19 times (after directing the original production in New York), in London, Montreal, Amsterdam, and Melbourne as well as Annie ’s 14 national U.S. companies. He collaborated with Charles Strouse, Vernon Duke, Marvin Hamlisch, Mary Rodgers, and twice with Richard Rodgers on I Remember Mama and Two by Two . He wrote for, or directed, Fred Astaire, Ethel Merman, Jack Lemmon, Ann-Margaret, Jack Benny, Anne Bancroft, Betty Hutton, Sutton Foster, Sarah Jessica Parker, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bebe Neuwirth, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Larry Kert, Chita Rivera, Jane Lynch, Tony Bennett, Jason Alexander, and Jay-Z, among countless others, and for his wife, Shelly Burch (who originated a leading role in the original company of Nine ). Most recently, “Tomorrow” from Annie became one of the 100 most performed musical numbers in the last century.

CHARLES STROUSE

A graduate of New York’s P.S. 87, Townsend Harris H.S., and the Eastman School of Music, Charles has studied composition with Aaron Copland, Arthur Berger, and David Diamond in the US and Nadia Boulanger in Paris. Charles has composed copious chamber music, two piano concertos, a string quartet and two operas. After which, being broke like most composers, he was a rehearsal pianist and dance arranger for many shows, played in bar rooms, ballet classes, at weddings and strip joints (a particular boon for one who was to write the music for the film The Night They Raided Minsky’s ). One morning in 1960 he awoke to find he had written (with Lee Adams and Mike Stewart) Bye Bye Birdie (Tony Award), which is still among the most performed musicals in America, followed by Golden Boy with Sammy Davis, Jr. (Tony Nomination). Then came, Applause (Tony Award), It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman, Rags (Tony Nomination) and Annie (Tony Award).  In-between, there have been scores for movies including Bonnie and Clyde and All Dogs Go to Heaven . Throughout his career, Charles has received the Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, Frederick Lowe and the Leonard Bernstein Awards for musical achievement.  He is married to director/choreographer Barbara Siman and is the father of Benjamin (attorney, author, composer), Nicholas (psychotherapist), Victoria (screen writer) and William (also a screen writer). 

Jenn Thompson

JENN THOMPSON ( Director ) is thrilled to be helming the national tour of Annie after having appeared as Pepper in the original Broadway run, many moons ago. Recent credits include the World-Premiere musical Anne of Green Gables – A New Musical at Goodspeed Opera House (available on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, etc.) where she has also directed Gypsy , Bye Bye Birdie , Oklahoma! and The Music Man . Other recent credits include Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Musical at Children’s Theatre Company in association with Kevin McCollum and Buena Vista Theatrical (watch for upcoming album release) as well as Chains and Conflict for Off-Broadway’s celebrated Mint Theatre, where Jenn’s 2016 production of Women Without Men garnered both Lortel and Off-Broadway Alliance Award nominations for Outstanding Revival as well as 5 Drama Desk Award nominations including Outstanding Director and Revival. In addition to extensive productions in NYC, Jenn’s work has been seen at theaters across the country including; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Denver Center, Hartford Stage, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Portland Stage, City Theatre, Barrington Stage, Theater Aspen, Theaterworks Hartford, Pioneer, The Rev, Arizona Theatre Company, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival and many more. Jenn is married to actor Stephen Kunken, they live in Brooklyn NY with their daughter Naomi. This is for Martin, Charles, Tom and Peter. jennthompsondirector.com

PATRICIA WILCOX 

PATRICIA WILCOX ( Choreographer ) choreographed Motown the Musical, for which she won the Fred Astaire Award and an NAACP Award.  Motown enjoyed long runs on Broadway and in the West End, and numerous tours here and abroad.  Also, on Broadway and on tour, Ms. Wilcox choreographed A Night with Janis Joplin.  At Encores! Off-Center, she choreographed the critically acclaimed Little Shop of Horrors , which starred Jake Gyllenhaal and Ellen Greene. National tours: An Officer and a Gentleman , Children’s Letters to God , Bowfire (and the resulting PBS special), Blues in the Night (NAACP Nomination), and Seussical.  Selected regional: The Secret Garden (Denver Center); Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Children’s Theatre Company); Beautiful (The Muny), The Music Man (Connecticut Critics Circle Award) Bye Bye Birdie (Connecticut Critics Circle nomination) and Gypsy at Goodspeed Opera House.  Her work has been seen at The Kennedy Center, The Old Globe, The Alley Theatre, The McCarter Theatre, Missouri Repertory Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre, Pioneer Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus, ATC, and Paper Mill Playhouse. Ms. Wilcox created original works for the Houston Symphony, Minnesota Pops, Phoenix Symphony, Lyrics & Lyricists at the 92 nd Street Y, Broadway Under the Stars, Norwegian Cruise Line, as well as for ice-skating medalists for three Winter Olympics. Pattiwilcox.com

Wilson Chin

WILSON CHIN ( Set Designer ) Broadway: Cost of Living , Pass Over (Drama Desk and Lortel Award nominations), Next Fall. Off Broadway: Roundabout Theatre Company, Second Stage, Manhattan Theatre Club, Lincoln Center, Playwrights Horizons, Public Theater, Signature Theatre. With director Jenn Thompson: The Secret Garden (Denver Center Theatre), Oklahoma and Anne of Green Gables (Goodspeed Musicals). Opera: Turandot (Washington National Opera), Lucia di Lammermoor  (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Eine Florentinische Tragödie / Gianni Schicchi  (Canadian Opera, Dora Award winner). Film/television: Pass Over (dir. Spike Lee), “Game Theory with Bomani Jones” (HBO), “Blindspot” (NBC). Eastern Region Board member of Local USA 829. Instagram: @wilsonchindesign

Alejo Vietti

Broadway’s Holiday Inn , Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (West End – Olivier Nomination, National Tour, Japan and Australia), and Allegiance (Drama Desk Nomination). Designed for Radio City Rockettes, Roundabout, Manhattan Theatre Club, NYC Opera and City Center Encores among others. He has extensively worked in Regional Theatres across the U.S., commercial projects, operas, and for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus . He is the recipient of the 2010 TDF Irene Sharaff Young Master Award. @alejo_vietti_costume_design

Philip Rosenberg 

PHILIP S. ROSENBERG ( Lighting Designer ) Broadway and West End: Mrs. Doubtfire, Pretty Woman , The Elephant Man, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and It’s Only a Play . Regional: Kennedy Center, La Jolla Playhouse, Ford’s Theatre, The Guthrie Theater, The Old Globe, TheatreWorks, Hartford Stage, Alliance, Huntington Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Dallas Theatre Center, Denver Center Theatre, The Alley Theatre, Arena Stage, The McCarter Theatre, Manhattan School of Music, Portland Stage Company, TACT, Barrington Stage Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Dorset Theatre Festival, Bay Street Theatre, Goodspeed Opera, Two River Theatre Company, George Street Playhouse, and Westport Country Playhouse.

Broadway:  In Transit , Disney’s  Aladdin (MX, UK, DE, JP, AU, US) ,  Jekyll and Hyde,A Christmas Story the Musical, Scandalous ,  Newsies ,  Memphis ,  The ThreePenny Opera ,  Barefoot in the Park  and  Steel Magnolias . Numerous national tours and regional productions at theaters across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. 

ASHLEY RAE CALLAHAN 

ASHLEY RAE CALLAHAN ( Hair & Wig Design ) (She/Her) is an Emmy Nominated Hairstylist. Her design work includes Annie (National Tour) West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Muny) Evita (ART, STC & NYCity Center ) Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (NWS & Maltz Jupiter)and Once Upon a One More Time (STC). Broadway & Television Associate/Assistant Designer Credits include: New York New York, Beetlejuice , Ain’t Too Proud , NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live!, Summer , The Color Purple Revival , Holiday Inn , Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Allegiance . Television/Movies Hairstyling: The Crowded Room, Stranger Things, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Ghosted, Oppenheimer, Eileen, Law and Order: SVU & The Gilded Age.

Charlotte Woertler

Charlotte Woertler ( Dog Trainer ) is thrilled to be joining Annie for her first national tour! A dream come true! A proud graduate of The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College, Charlotte has been training animals for the stage and screen for over 20yrs. Favorite projects include “Clifford the Big Red Dog”, “Lady and the Tramp”, “Where the Crawdads Sing”, & “Treasure Buddies”

HARDT CASTING, LLC 

Paul has had the honor to have served as Casting Director on the following projects:  Broadway: West Side Story , Come Fly Away , August: Osage County , A Moon for the Misbegotten , On Golden Pond , Hot Feet , Caine Mutiny Court Martial and the upcoming Once Upon a One More Time .  National Tours: West Side Story (US and World Tour), A Bronx Tale , Dirty Dancing , Legends! , Whistle Down the Wind , On Golden Pond , August: Osage County , The Bodyguard , and the current running tour of Cats .  Regional Theatres include: Goodspeed Opera House, Bucks County Playhouse, Delaware Theatre Company, TheaterWorks Hartford, TUTS, Pasadena Playhouse and Asolo Rep.

Matthew Smedal 

MATTHEW SMEDAL ( Music Supervisor ). Music Direction, Broadway: Mrs. Doubtfire (Matthew was also the music director of Doubtfire’ s Original Cast Album). Off- Broadway: Clueless The Musical starring Dove Cameron. National Tours: The Bodyguard, Matilda First National, Ghost The Musical , and Catch Me If You Can . Toronto: Matilda (RSC + Mirvish Entertainment). Assoc. Music Super: Mrs. Doubtfire (First national tour). Elsewhere: An American In Paris (Cape Playhouse), Singin’ In the Rain (Ogunquit), Oliver (Maltz Jupiter), Anne of Green Gables (Goodspeed, World Premiere); As a pianist: Opéra de Rennes’ presentation of Cole Porter’s La Revue des Ambassadeurs , and for Grammy-award nominee Deborah Cox at the US Open Women’ s Singles Final between Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka.

TALITHA FEHR 

Talitha Fehr has worked on over 75 national and international productions and tours since 2005.  Highlights include: Sister Act , Mamma Mia! , School of Rock , Come Fly Away , Phantom of the Opera , Love Never Dies and Priscilla Queen of the Desert , as well as the 2010 Olympic Ceremonies in Vancouver.  She dedicates her work on Annie to the memory of her mentor, Sam Lutfiyya.

DAN DELANGE

Dan Delange is the resident orchestrator at Goodspeed Musicals, where he has orchestrated over 50 new and newly revived productions. His orchestrations were recently heard in the West End’s production of Show Boat , which was nominated for Best Musical Revival at the 2017 Olivier Awards in London. He has orchestrated for The Jim Henson Company, Julie Andrews, Rosie O’Donnell, Live Theatricals at Universal Studios, Manhattan Concert Productions, and for composers Paul Williams, Jerry Herman, Harvey Schmitt, Mark Hollman, Peter Link, Charles Strouse and Stephen Schwartz. His scores have been heard on Broadway, London’s West End, Carnegie Hall, National and European tours, film, television, and at regional theaters around the world. He’s a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

Jennifer Christina

JENNIFER CHRISTINA ( Music Director ) is delighted to return to Annie for a second season this time as the Music Director! Her recent credits include Annie (national tour), Dreamgirls (international tour), Singin’ in the Rain (Ogunquit Playhouse), Bodyguard, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia! (Theatre by the Sea). Home base is Rhode Island. Follow on instagram @jen_christina and come along for the tour!

DAVE BURCH  ( Technical Director ) began his career as a scenic fabricator before transitioning to touring Broadway theater, where he has worked for the past 13 years. His favorite touring credits include  The Phantom of the Opera,  World Tour and  Mamma Mia!  (where he met his wife during a scene change). He is originally from Savannah Ga., has traveled to 30 countries and when not on the road he lives in Florida with his wife, newborn twins and their cat.

HEATHER CHOCKLEY

HEATHER CHOCKLEY joined the CXL team 5 years ago after having toured, both nationally and internationally, for 15 years. After that lifetime on the road, she finds she likes not living out of a suitcase the whole time. Now based in the DC metro area, she also does a bit of political event work, and shares the crew member recruiting responsibilities at CXL.

Anna Klevit

ANNA KLEVIT ( Production Stage Manager ) is elated to be a part of Annie! National tours: My Fair Lady; Rudolph…the Musical . Selected regional credits: What We Talk About… (Old Globe); Into the Woods , Matilda , Fireflies , Culture Clash (South Coast Repertory); Memphis , Once on this Island (Moonlight Amphitheatre). This one’s for Mom and Dad. 

KATY GENTRY

KATY GENTRY ( Assistant Stage Manager ) Regional: Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Asolo Rep, Signature Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Orlando Shakes. Most recently: Annie National Tour, 2022-23. Katy holds a BFA from the University of Central Florida.

Deana Marie Kirsch

DEANA MARIE KIRSCH ( General Manager ) is excited to join Crossroads Live North America. She brings with her over two decades of experience, having worked on exceptional shows such as Absinthe, A Chorus Line, BAZ, Criss Angel Mindfreak, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Jersey Boys, Magic Mike Live , and Mat Franco . After a 12-year residency in Las Vegas, she is thrilled to return to touring musicals.

Soldanela Rivera

SOLDANELA RIVERA ( Company Manager ) Over 150 credits in production and publicity for music, theater, and film. National Tour of My Fair Lady and thrilled to be a part of Annie ! Soldanela holds a BA from Sarah Lawrence College with a concentration in dance, and an MA in Arts Administration from TC Columbia University. Learn more at  www.soldanela.com

Aaron Martin

AARON MARTIN ( Assistant Company Manager ) Aaron is originally from Adger, Alabama and a graduate of Jacksonville State University. He recently worked as the ACM on the Anastasia national tour and regionally as the ACM and the CM at Berkshire Theatre Group, Westin Playhouse, Maine State Music Theatre, and Florida Rep.

Crossroads Live

CROSSROADS LIVE ( Producer & Tour Management ) brings together some of the world’s top producers of live entertainment, now all under one banner. With offices in London, New York, Washington, D.C., Sydney, and Melbourne—our global platform ensures the best-loved titles from Broadway and the West End can be embraced by audiences around the world. Crossroads Live North America is an innovative, full-service theatrical production company delivering the Broadway experience to audiences in North America and beyond. Our 2023-2024 Season: Annie, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, My Fair Lady, Pretty Woman, The Phantom of the Opera (China). 

Jayna Neagle

JAYNA NEAGLE ( Executive Producer ) For Cirque du Soleil: ’Twas the Night Before, Paramour (Broadway, Hamburg); The Wiz (NBC production). For BASE Entertainment: Arrabal (Buenos Aires, Toronto), Jersey Boys (Johannesburg, Asian tour), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (São Paulo), The Lion King (Singapore), Jerry Mitchell’s Peepshow (Las Vegas), Wayne Brady: Making Sh%@ Up (Las Vegas).

BOND THEATRICAL

BOND THEATRICAL ( Tour Booking, Marketing & Publicity ) is an independently owned theatrical booking, marketing and publicity company representing award-winning Broadway shows and live entertainment properties. BOND connects artists and audiences by forming strategic, authentic and profitable partnerships between producers and presenters across North America. For a complete list of current projects, please visit BondTheatrical.com

Carolyn Lawson PT, founder and CEO. Global leaders in live entertainment, film, and performing arts medicine . We are honored to be part of the amazing company of Annie.  Highlights: Broadway: Disney’s The Lion King , Hello, Dolly! , The Music Man , The Cher Show . Tours: Movin’ Out, Tootsie, Hamilton . Concerts: P!NK, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, U2.

MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL

MTI is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser, and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 70,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 60 countries worldwide. MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students. MTI maintains its global headquarters in NYC with additional offices in London (MTI Europe) and Melbourne (MTI Australasia).

VASI LAURENCE

Theater/Film: Passing Strange (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award/Best Musical) and made into an award-winning film directed by Spike Lee. Other credits: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical , Tootsie (National Tour), several Off Broadway shows and film projects, including the award-winning play The Housewives of Mannheim . Many thanks to Marcia and Tom Nigro, Linda and Michael Standley, and Lois Barth. We are delighted to be partnering with Crossroads Live North America.

Stay up-to-date

Lola Moxom, Ruby Stokes and Madeleine Haynes (alternating Annie), with Miranda Hart (Miss Hannigan) (Photo: Matt Crockett)

Lola Moxom, Ruby Stokes and Madeleine Haynes, who will alternate the role of Annie (Photo: Matt Crockett)

West End Annies unveiled

First Published 24 April 2017, Last Updated 24 April 2017

As rehearsals began today for the West End production of Annie at the Piccadilly Theatre, full casting for the production was announced.

Joining the previously announced Miranda Hart who will play Miss Hannigan, are Alex Bourne as Daddy Warbucks, Holly Dale Spencer as Grace Farrell, Jonny Fines as Rooster and Djalenga Scott as Lily.

The title role of Annie will be shared by Madeleine Haynes, 13-years old from Hadley Wood, Barnet; Lola Moxom, 12-years old from Rochester, Kent; and Ruby Stokes, 12-years old from Hampshire. They will be joined by three teams of young performers who will play the girls in Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Amber, a 4 year-old Labradoodle, will play Annie’s dog Sandy.

Completing the company will be ensemble members Keisha Atwell, Sophie Ayers, Bobby Delaney, Nic Gibney, Patrick Harper, Ben Harrold, George Ioannides, Megan Louch, Benjamin Mundy, Ben Oliver, Heather Scott-Martin, Anne Smith, Kate Somerset How, Katie Warsop and Russell Wilcox.

The kids casts will see parts alternated by Aurelia Borrelli, Ellicia Simondswood, and Nicole Subebe (all playing Molly); Jessica Cartledge, Scarlet Grace and Dora Yolland (Tessie); Shani Roberts, Emily-May Stephenson, and Maisie Thorn (Kate); Drew Hylton, Eva MacLaughlan, and Charlotte Ross Gower (Pepper); Nancy Allsop, Carla Dixon and Isabelle Methven (July); and Kya Davis, Nicole Dube, and Kathryn Whetter (Duffy).

Annie begins previews at the Piccadilly Theatre on 23 May 2017 with opening night on 5 June 2017. The production is initially booking to 6 January 2018. The production, directed by Nikolai Foster, is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian.

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family…

Alex Bourne’s (Daddy Warbucks) theatre credits include Mamma Mia! and Rocky Horror Show on tour in the UK. Holly Dale Spencer’s (Grace Farrell) theatre credits include Sweet Charity at the Royal Exchange Theatre, and Jonny Fines’ (Rooster) theatre credits include roles in Nikolai Foster’s production of Grease at the Curve.

Foster’s production arrives in the West End 40 years after the original Broadway production opened in 1977 and received seven Tony awards including the Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. The last West End production of Annie opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre in 1998. In 1982, Annie was adapted for the big screen directed by John Huston with a cast including Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters and Albert Finney and in 2014 a further feature film was released, directed by Will Gluck, with a cast including Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx. The much-loved score includes the classics It’s A Hard Knock Life, Tomorrow and Easy Street.

Annie has book by Thomas Meehan adapted from the comic strip Little Orphan Annie, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. The West End production will have sets and costumes designed by Colin Richmond, choreography by Nick Winston, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Richard Brooker and orchestration and musical direction by George Dyer.

Don’t wait until Tomorrow; book your tickets today !

Related articles

• Miranda Hart to star in West End Annie
• Search more articles

Latest News

Captain amazing to open at southwark playhouse this april, oiivier awards 2024 with mastercard nominees announced, this year’s olivier awards industry recognition award recipients, get more from your ticket, stk steakhouse – free welcome drink, q-park – 50% off.

site categories

Proposed legislation would provide $1b to struggling nonprofit theaters across country.

• Tom Holland’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’ To “Transfer To Broadway After Tickets Sell Out In Two Hours”

By Caroline Frost

Caroline Frost

More stories by caroline.

• Jeremy Clarkson “Takes Inspiration From Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone Rancher John Dutton”
• ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus Surprises ‘Mamma Mia!’ Audience On 50th Anniversary Of ‘Waterloo’ Win

Tom Holland ’s above-the-title appearance in Romeo & Juliet will transfer to Broadway , according to an insider quoted in the UK press.

The Spider-man star’s return to London’s West End stage (where he starred in Billy Elliot The Musical as a boy) has seen tickets for the show at the Duke of York’s Theatre all sell out in under two hours.

Now, the UK’s Mirror newspaper reports that the Jamie Lloyd Company production will be transferring to New York once it finishes in London in August, following a 12-week run.

The Mirror quotes a source saying:

Ticket prices for the London show are up around the £200 mark, but this hasn’t stopped the interest.

Holland’s co-star in the Shakespeare tragedy is Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, making her West End debut. This week producers spoke out to slam the “barrage of deplorable racial abuse” the actress had received following the cast announcement.

Must Read Stories

Wb unveils ‘joker: folie a deux’ trailer, ‘furiosa’ & ‘mickey 17’; more.

Francis Coppola’s Epic To Premiere in Competition At Cannes

Sets new release dates for ‘the crow’, ‘saw xi’, ‘never let go’ & more, jeremy gold exits as tv production chief, segues to producing deal.

Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.

Read More About:

Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

• Wicked National Tour Welcomes West End's Lauren Samuels as Elphaba and More

The national tour of Wicked will welcome several new cast members to Oz, all beginning their run on May 7 at The Bushnell in Hartford, CT. Lauren Samuels, whose West End credits include Grease and We Will Rock You , will make her North American debut in the role of Elphaba. Austen Danielle Bohmer, who appeared in Broadway’s Diana , plays Glinda.

Also new to the cast are Blake Hammond ( Hairspray ) as The Wizard, Aymee Garcia ( Into the Woods ) as Madame Morrible, Kingsley Leggs ( Pretty Woman ) as Doctor Dillamond, Xavier McKinnon ( Aladdin and Rent national tours) as Fiyero and Alex Vinh ( Kimberly Akimbo ) as Boq.

They join a company which includes Joe Beauregard, Jennifer Mariela Bermeo, Remmie Bourgeois, Anthony Lee Bryant, Sean Burns, Matt Densky, Jenny Florkowski, Kayla Goldsberry, Rose Iannaccone, David Kaverman, Kelly Lafarga, Marina Lazzaretto, Lauren Leach, Colin Lemoine, Adelina Mitchell, Madison Claire Parks, Jackie Raye, Kat Rodriguez, Anthony Santos, Derek Schiesel, Wayne Schroder, Tregoney Shepherd, Brett Stoelker, Ben Susak, Mitchell Tobin and Justin Wirick.

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire,  Wicked  has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. Now the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history, Wicked celebrated its 20th anniversary on Broadway in October. The musical's current national tour, its second, kicked off in 2009. 

Related Shows

Aymee Garcia

Blake Hammond

Kingsley Leggs

Articles trending now.

• Aaron Tveit Extends Debut Residency at Café Carlyle
• Forbidden Broadway Will Make Its Broadway Debut Sooner Than Expected

Full Cast and Creative Team Announced for New ANNIE National Tour

The tour launches at The Landmark Theatre in Syracuse, NY on October 4-8, 2022, followed by a multi-season tour that will visit more than 50 cities in the 22-23 season.

Leapin' Lizards! The full cast and creative team has been announced for the all-new tour of the iconic Tony Award®-winning musical ANNIE.

In the title role of Annie is Ellie Pulsifer, a 12-year-old actress from South Florida, making her tour debut. Christopher Swan will star as Oliver Warbucks. In the role of Miss Hannigan is Stefanie Londino . Also starring in the tour are Julia Nicole Hunter as Grace, Nick Bernardi as Rooster, Krista Curry as Lily and Mark Woodard as FDR. Addison, a stray mutt rescued by William Berloni through the Humane Society in 2017, stars as Sandy.

The Orphans are Riglee Ruth Bryson, Brianna Cameron, Bronte Harrison, Vivianne Neely, Kenzie Rees and Valeria Velasco.

The featured ensemble includes Kolten Bell , Bradley Ford Betros, Luther Brooks IV, Harrison Drake, Laura Elizabeth Flanagan, Jataria Heyward, Carly Ann Moore, Kevin Ivey Morrison, Leeanna Rubin , Andrew Scoggin, Sophie Stromberg and Kaley Were.

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 supervised by Mona Seyed-Bolorforosh , with orchestrations by Dan DeLange . Talitha Fehr is the Music Coordinator and Elaine Davidson is the Music Director.

The design team includes scenic design by Wilson Chin (Pass Over), costume design by Alejo Vietti (Jersey Boys), 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.

The lovable mutt "Sandy" is once again trained by Tony Award®Honoree William Berloni (ANNIE, A Christmas Story, Legally Blonde).

This new multi-week tour is produced by Troika Entertainment , LLC, and launches at The Landmark Theatre in Syracuse, NY on October 4-8, 2022, followed by a multi-season tour that will visit more than 50 cities in the 2022-2023 season.

For a list of all 2022-2023 cities that have been announced to-date, please visit AnnieTour.com .

Troika Entertainment 's COO and Executive Producer, Kori Prior says, " "We're thrilled to announce our talented new cast and stellar creative team, and we are all so excited to be bringing such a fresh, new and heartfelt production to audiences across North America starting this fall."

"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."

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.

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. It has 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 ANNIE includes "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."

Connect with ANNIE on tour:

Thomas Meehan

(Book) is a three-time Tony Award-winning book writer for the Broadway musicals Annie, The Producers and Hairspray. In addition, he wrote the books of a dozen or so other Broadway musicals, including Richard Rodgers ' I Remember Mama, Cry-Baby, Mel Brooks ' Young Frankenstein, Elf, Chaplin and Rocky (with Sylvester Stallone ). A long-time contributor of humor pieces to The New Yorker magazine and an Emmy Award-winning TV comedy writer, he also wrote a number of screenplays, most notably for To Be or Not to Be and Spaceballs. Thomas was a proud member of the Council of the Dramatists Guild.

Martin Charnin

(Lyrics). Martin's career in the entertainment industry began in 1957 when he created the role of Big Deal (one of Jerome Robbins ' authentic juvenile delinquents) in the original company of West Side Story. He played the role for exactly 1,000 performances. Since then, he was involved in over 140 theatrical, television, film, and night club productions as a director, producer, composer, or lyricist. He is one of the dozen people who have won Emmys, Tonys, and Grammys, and the Peabody Award for Broadcasting. Annie, which came to Broadway in 1977, originally ran for 2,377 performances, and has been revived there three times. He directed Annie 19 times (after directing the original production in New York), in London, Montreal, Amsterdam, and Melbourne as well as Annie's 14 national U.S. companies. He collaborated with Charles Strouse , Vernon Duke , Marvin Hamlisch , Mary Rodgers , and twice with Richard Rodgers on I Remember Mama and Two by Two. He wrote for, or directed, Fred Astaire , Ethel Merman , Jack Lemmon , Ann-Margaret, Jack Benny , Anne Bancroft , Betty Hutton , Sutton Foster , Sarah Jessica Parker , Catherine Zeta-Jones , Bebe Neuwirth , Barbra Streisand , Johnny Mathis , Larry Kert , Chita Rivera , Jane Lynch , Tony Bennett , Jason Alexander , and Jay-Z, among countless others, and for his wife, Shelly Burch (who originated a leading role in the original company of Nine). Most recently, "Tomorrow" from Annie became one of the 100 most performed musical numbers in the last century.

Charles Strouse

(Music). A graduate of New York's P.S. 87, Townsend Harris H.S., and the Eastman School of Music, Charles has studied composition with Aaron Copland , Arthur Berger, and David Diamond in the US and Nadia Boulanger in Paris. Charles has composed copious chamber music, two piano concertos, a string quartet and two operas. After which, being broke like most composers, he was a rehearsal pianist and dance arranger for many shows, played in bar rooms, ballet classes, at weddings and strip joints (a particular boon for one who was to write the music for the film The Night They Raided Minsky's). One morning in 1960 he awoke to find he had written (with Lee Adams and Mike Stewart ) Bye Bye Birdie (Tony Award), which is still among the most performed musicals in America, followed by Golden Boy with Sammy Davis, Jr. (Tony Nomination). Then came, Applause (Tony Award), It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman, Rags (Tony Nomination) and Annie (Tony Award). In-between, there have been scores for movies including Bonnie and Clyde and All Dogs Go to Heaven. Throughout his career, Charles has received the Richard Rodgers , Oscar Hammerstein , Frederick Lowe and the Leonard Bernstein Awards for musical achievement. He is married to director/choreographer Barbara Siman and is the father of Benjamin (attorney, author, composer), Nicholas (psychotherapist), Victoria (screen writer) and William (also a screen writer).

Jenn Thompson

(Director). Recent credits include MonsterSongs (developmental workshop TheaterWorks Hartford), Into The Woods (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival), The Music Man (Goodspeed), Anne of Green Gables: A New Folk Rock Musical (Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival); A Doll's House, Part II (TheaterWorks); Shiller's Mary Stuart ( Chicago Shakespeare Theater ); Conflict (Mint Theater, NYC); Oklahoma! (Goodspeed), The Secret Garden (Denver Center), Miss Bennet, A Christmas at Pemberley (Rep Theatre of St. Louis). Jenn's production of Women Without Men ( Mint Theatre ) garnered 2016 Lortel and Off-Broadway Alliance Award nominations for Outstanding Revival as well as 5 Drama Desk Award nominations including Outstanding Director and Revival. Former Co-Artistic Director of Off-Broadway's TACT/The Actors Company Theatre. Jenn was a 2012 finalist for the SDC's Joe A. Callaway Award, for excellence in New York City directing. Up next: Anne of Green Gables (Goodspeed), Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Children's Theatre Company) and Chains at the Mint Theater in NYC. jennthompsondirector.com

Patricia Wilcox

(Choreographer). Broadway: Motown the Musical (Astaire Award and the NAACP Award for Best Choreography), and A Night with Janis Joplin . Off-Broadway/National: Little Shop of Horrors, An Officer and a Gentleman, Children's Letters to God, Bowfire, Blues in the Night (NAACP Nomination), Seussical. Regional: A Swell Party (The Kennedy Center), The Secret Garden (DCPA), The Music Man and Bye Bye Birdie ( Goodspeed Opera House -Connecticut Critics Circle Award), Diary of a Wimpy Kid (CTC), Peter and the Starcatcher (Pioneer), Camelot (NSMT), Jesus Christ Superstar (Sacramento Music), Hair (ATC), Guys and Dolls (Paper Mill). Winter Olympics: Choreography for Ice Dancing. Pattiwilcox.com

Mona Seyed-Bolorforosh

(Music Supervisor) is a theatre and classical Conductor, Music Director, Pianist and Orchestrator/Arranger whose work has been seen in places like the Met Opera, Carnegie Hall and on various Broadway shows. She is a frequent developer of new works, serving as a Music Director and Supervisor on numerous projects. Recent credits include National Tour: Annie (Music Supervisor); Broadway Sub: Come From Away, Company, Mean Girls; Off-Broadway: Oratorio for Living Things; Out of Town: Other World, a new musical by Hunter Bell , Jeff Bowen and Ann McNamee .

Wilson Chin

(Scenic Design). Broadway and Off-Broadway: Pass Over (Broadway, Lortel Award nomination), Next Fall (Broadway), Cost of Living (Manhattan Theatre Club), A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet (DR2), Space Dogs (MCC), The Thanksgiving Play (Playwrights Horizons). With director Jenn Thompson : The Secret Garden (Denver Center Theatre), Oklahoma! and Anne of Green Gables (Goodspeed Musicals). Opera: Lucia di Lammermoor (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Eine Florentinische Tragödie/Gianni Schicchi (Canadian Opera, Dora Award). Film/television: Pass Over (dir. Spike Lee ), "Game Theory with Bomani Jones" (HBO), "Blindspot" (NBC). Eastern Region Board member of Local USA 829. @wilsonchindesign

Alejo Vietti

(Costume Design). Broadway's Holiday Inn, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (West End - Olivier Nomination, National Tour, Japan and Australia), and Allegiance (Drama Desk Nomination). Designed for Radio City Rockettes, Roundabout, Manhattan Theatre Club, NYC Opera and City Center Encores among others. He has extensively worked in Regional Theatres across the U.S., commercial projects, operas, and for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He is the recipient of the 2010 TDF Irene Sharaff Young Master Award. @alejo_vietti_costume_design

Philip Rosenberg

(Lighting Design) is an award-winning New York City based Lighting Designer whose work has been seen on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in regional theaters across the country and on the West End in London. Broadway credits include: Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical, Pretty Woman the Musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, The Elephant Man, and It's Only a Play. Regional theatre credits include: Kennedy Center, La Jolla Playhouse, Ford's Theatre, The Guthrie Theater, The Old Globe , TheatreWorks, Hartford Stage, Huntington Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre , Shakespeare Theatre Company , Dallas Theatre Center , The Alley Theatre , Arena Stage , The McCarter Theatre , Manhattan School of Music, Portland Stage Company, TACT, Barrington Stage Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Dorset Theatre Festival, Bay Street Theatre , Goodspeed Opera, Two River Theatre Company, George Street Playhouse, and Westport Country Playhouse. Prior to launching his own design career, Philip was Associate Lighting Designer on over 35 Broadway Plays and musicals. Philip is a graduate of the University of Arizona Theatre Arts Program.

(Sound Design). Broadway: In Transit, Disney's Aladdin (MX, UK, DE, JP, AU, US), Jekyll and Hyde, A Christmas Story the Musical, Scandalous, Newsies, Memphis, The ThreePenny Opera, Barefoot in the Park and Steel Magnolias. Numerous national tours and regional productions at theaters across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Ashley Rae CALLAHAN

(Hair & Wig Design) is an Emmy-nominated hairstylist. Her design work includes Once Upon a One More Time at Shakespeare Theatre Company , Sweeney Todd at The Muny, Evita at New York City Center, Mamma Mia! and Ebenezer Scrooge's Big Playhouse Christmas Show at Bucks County Playhouse and Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Broadway & Television Associate/Assistant Designer credits include: Beetlejuice, Jersey Boys Live, Ain't Too Proud, NBC's Jesus Christ Superstar Live, Summer, Six Degrees of Separation, The Color Purple revival, Holiday Inn, Beautiful and Allegiance. She has over 30 Off Broadway and regional associate design credits including Jersey Boys (Off-Broadway & Tour), Anything Goes (Arena DC), Amy and the Orphans (Roundabout), Sweet Charity (New Group), Sousatzka (Toronto) and Frozen (Disneyland).

William Berloni

(Animal Director and Trainer). 2011 Tony Honoree for Excellence in Theatre. William found and adopted the original Sandy for the original production of Annie. Since then, all the animals he trains are rescues. Broadway: Twenty six shows which include The Ferryman, The Crucible, Bullets Over Broadway, Lady at the Emerson Bar and Grill, Annie (original and all revivals), A Christmas Story The Musical, Legally Blonde, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Camelot, Alice in Wonderland, Oliver!, Anything Goes, The Wiz and The Wizard of Oz. Mr. Berloni is the Animal Director of the new musical Because of Winn Dixie with music by Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Nell Benjamin . He has trained animals for hundreds of Off-Broadway, regional theatre, tours, television and movies. Recent movies include Marry Me with Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson. He provided the dogs to play "Nana" in Peter Pan Live, "Toto" in The Wiz Live and recently "Sandy" in Annie Live. Other television includes "Power," "Billions," " Sesame Street ," "High Maintenance," "The Village," "Modern Love," "Little Voice," "Almost Family," "Betty," "Ramy," "Mr. Robot," Russian Doll," "Raising Kanan Ghost," "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," "Girls5eva," "Sand Dollar Cove," "Noel Diary," "Life and Beth," "Inside Amy Schumer ," "Fleishman is in Trouble," "Harlem," "Three Women" and "And Just Like That." Mr. Berloni and his family are the subjects of Discovery the docu-series entitled "Wags to Riches with Bill Berloni " in August 2015. Published author of Broadway Trails. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter @BillBerloni. theatricalanimals.com

Dan DeLange

(Orchestrations) is the resident orchestrator at Goodspeed Musicals, where he has orchestrated over 50 new and newly revived productions. His orchestrations were recently heard in the West End's production of Show Boat, which was nominated for Best Musical Revival at the 2017 Olivier Awards in London. He has orchestrated for The Jim Henson Company, Julie Andrews , Rosie O'Donnell, Live Theatricals at Universal Studios , Manhattan Concert Productions, and for composers Paul Williams , Jerry Herman , Harvey Schmitt, Mark Hollman , Peter Link , Charles Strouse and Stephen Schwartz . His scores have been heard on Broadway, London's West End, Carnegie Hall , National and European tours, film, television, and at regional theaters around the world. He's a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

Talitha Fehr

(Music Coordinator) has worked on over 75 national and international productions and tours since 2005. Highlights include: Sister Act, Mamma Mia!, School of Rock, Come Fly Away, Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, as well as the 2010 Olympic Ceremonies in Vancouver. She dedicates her work on Annie to the memory of her mentor, Sam Lutfiyya .

ELAINE DAVIDSON

(Music Director). National Tours: The Phantom of the Opera, The Wizard of Oz, Catch Me If You Can, Mamma Mia!, The Sound of Music (China), Grease, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Evita, Cats, Bombay Dreams, Jesus Christ Superstar with Carl Anderson . A native Texan, she also performed with the National Tours of Mamma Mia!, Legally Blonde, Grease, Fosse, The King and I, Evita and Big River. Music Director for: Sister Act, Theatre Arlington, Godspell, Warner Theater, Washington DC, Forever Plaid, Norfolk, VA, Atlantic City, NJ and St Cloud, MN, and My Way, Birmingham, Alabama with creator David Grapes.

HARDT CASTING, LLC

(Casting). Paul has had the honor to have served as Casting Director on the following projects: Broadway: West Side Story, Come Fly Away, August: Osage County, A Moon for the Misbegotten, On Golden Pond, Hot Feet , Caine Mutiny Court Martial and the upcoming Once Upon a One More Time. National Tours: West Side Story (US and World Tour), A Bronx Tale, Dirty Dancing, Legends!, Whistle Down the Wind, On Golden Pond, August: Osage County, The Bodyguard, and the current running tour of Cats. Regional Theatres include: Goodspeed Opera House , Bucks County Playhouse, Delaware Theatre Company, TheaterWorks Hartford, TUTS, Pasadena Playhouse and Asolo Rep.

Troika Entertainment , LLC

(Producer & Tour Management). For more than 30 years, Troika Entertainment has been producing, managing, booking, and bringing the Broadway experience to audiences in over 450 markets throughout the United States and around the world. Theatre is, at its heart, a profession of people. We believe diversity makes us stronger and we're committed to being a company that creates an inclusive, global, and welcoming home for all our touring companies, partners, and employees. Current productions include Annie , Dr. Seuss ' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, My Fair Lady and Tootsie. TROIKA.com

(Executive Producer) has 20+ years of experience in almost every aspect of theatrical production, operations, human resources, business development, producing and administration. Having joined Blue Man Group in its infancy, Kori has had the opportunity to contribute to the development and expansion of a brand from a small Off-Broadway production to a worldwide theatrical phenomenon. Kori has mounted several productions including National Tours, World Tours, and multiple long-running shows in the US and abroad. She has served as Executive Producer for The Phantom of the Opera World Tour and Tootsie the Musical among others. She is a certified executive coach, who brings a wealth of executive management and leadership skills to Troika Entertainment .

Vasi Laurence

(Co-Producer). Theater/Film: Passing Strange (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award/Best Musical) and made into an award-winning film directed by Spike Lee . Other credits: Dr. Seuss ' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, Tootsie (National Tour), several Off Broadway shows and film projects, including the award-winning play The Housewives of Mannheim. Many thanks to Marcia and Tom Nigro, Linda and Michael Standley, and Lois Barth. We are delighted to be partnering withTROIKA. [email protected]

ELLIE ROSE PULSIFER

( Annie). This show is dedicated to all the dreamers! To the Annie National Tour, thank you for believing in me! Endless gratitude to Avalon Artists, Lisa Calli, Rance Wright, Broadway Bound, Evolution X Performing Arts, Amy Tanner, Slowburn Theatre Co. & my family. @ellie_rose_actor

Stefanie Londino

(Miss Hannigan) National tours: A Bronx Tale (Rosina), Fiddler on the Roof (Shaindel). Off-Broadway: Whiskey Pants (HERE Arts Center), What Do Critics Know? (The York Theater), Flak House (Actors Temple Theater). Regional: My Name is Asher Lev (Playhouse on Park), Honky Tonk Angels (STONC). BFA University of Utah ATP. Original rock musician @westsidewaltz @thevoxies, opened for Bon Jovi. Love to Hubs, JB, Boo. @stefanielondino

Christopher Swan

(Daddy Warbucks) was most recently seen as Wilbur in the highly successful 20th anniversary tour of Hairspray with Nina West . Other national tours include Rodger's + Hammerstein's Cinderella (Sebastian), Guys and Dolls (Nathan Detroit), My Fair Lady (Doolittle) and the First National of A Christmas Story: The Musical (The Old Man). Regional: Footloose (The Rev), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Theatre by the Sea), Angels in America (Ark Rep). Boston Conservatory graduate and U.S Army veteran. Thank you to TROIKA and Paul Hardt Casting for this opportunity. @chriswanlives

JULIA NICOLE HUNTER

(Grace Farrell) is thrilled to join Annie as Grace. Her previous credits include: In the Heights (Nina) at the Walnut Street Theatre , The Color Purple (Nettie), Principal Vocalist for Burn the Floor and Norwegian Cruise Lines. Julia thanks her family and friends for their endless love and support.

Nick Bernardi

(Rooster Hannigan) has performed all around the globe, from Europe to Australia to all over Asia. Favorite credits include: Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys, Stacee Jaxx in Rock of Ages Hollywood, Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever. Forever love to his family, friends, agent Todd, and his dog Indiana Bones. @bernardi_nick

KRISTA CURRY

(Lily) is the luckiest to travel the country with this fabulous character. National Tour: PJ Masks ( Luna /"> Luna Girl). Regional: Arizona Theatre Co., Village Theatre , Palos Verdes Performing Arts. Favorite roles include Milady (Three Musketeers), Lina (Singin' in the Rain), Hedy (H2$), Doralee (9 to 5), other high-voiced gals. Hi husband! Kristacurry.me

Mark Woodard

(F.D.R.). Leapin' Lizards is Mark excited to be sharing this hopeful story across America! Aside from his role as the President, he's recently played a bunch of Dads in Mamma Mia!, La Cage aux Folles, The Addams Family, Peter & The Starcatcher, Oklahoma! and My Fair Lady.

RIGLEE RUTH BRYSON

(Pepper) is so excited for her first National Tour! Kansas City regional: A Christmas Carol, KCRep. Favorite roles: Matilda (Matilda), Annie (Annie). Gratitude to my team, and love to my siblings and parents! @rigleeruth

BRIANNA CAMERON

(Kate) is a 4th grade honor student. Her credits include The LEGO Broadway Musical, "The Equalizer," "Ziwe," among others. Brianna performed at the annual Amateur Night Holiday Special Concert at the Apollo Theater. She is a proud Alumna of Broadway Artist Alliance.

BRONTE HARRISON

(Molly) is thrilled to make her National Tour debut. Bronte was adopted from an orphanage in China as a toddler and is so excited to be playing an orphan. She thanks Carson Adler, Kim Matuka, Madison Stratton , her family and God.

VIVIANNE NEELY

(July) is thrilled to make her national tour debut with Annie. Many thanks to God, my family, Ivy Artist Management, Coast to Coast, all of my coaches, and Troika Entertainment for believing in her and making her dreams come true! @Vivianne_Neely

Kenzie Rees

(Duffy) is grateful and thrilled to be making her National Tour debut! Favorite theatre credits include The Sound of Music (Marta; Dallas Theater Center ) and Matilda (Amanda Thripp; The Firehouse Theater.) @KenzieReesOfficial

VALERIA VELASCO

(Tessie) is a 12-year-old bilingual kid from Texas. Valeria is honored to be making her debut with the National Tour of Annie. Thank you to all my teachers and family that have supported me throughout my journey. @vvvaleria10

Kolten Bell

(Swing) is hyped to be swinging across the country. When it seems like there's never any light, create it. Love to all the people in my corner.

BRADLEY FORD BETROS

(Ensemble). National Tour debut! Off-Broadway: After Happily Ever After. Select Regional: Mamma Mia!, Grease (New London Barn), Annie (Wagon Wheel), Saturday Night Fever (Surflight). Proud alumna of Florida State University! @bradleyfordbetros.

LUTHER BROOKS IV

(Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his National Tour debut! He would like to thank God, his family and all of his friends that have supported him along the way. What's for you, won't miss you! @iamlutherbrooks

HARRISON DRAKE

(Ensemble, Drake, u/s F.D.R.). When you wake, ring for (Harrison) Drake! National Tours: Anastasia and A Bronx Tale. Regional: Fables (Lincoln Center); Annie (Ogunquit Playhouse); A Little Night Music and Les Misérables (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma). @headofharr

LAURA ELIZABETH FLANAGAN

(Ensemble) is traveling the country with her fiancé. Leapin' Lizards! National Tours: A Christmas Story (First National Tour), Cabaret, My Fair Lady (China). Thanks to Mom and Dad for letting me play the Annie VHS nonstop. Love to Chris! @lauraeflanagan

JATARIA HEYWARD

(Ensemble, Star to Be) is thrilled to be making her National Tour debut with Annie. Jataria's favorite credits include: Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon), Rent (Joanne) and Aida (Aida). Many thanks for the unconditional love and support of Mom, friends, family, the LINK Program and the Pantera/Murphy agency! @hey_jataria

CARLY ANN MOORE

(Swing) is thrilled to be making her National Tour debut! Regional: Bright Star (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma). Oklahoma City University, Music Theatre alumna. Much love to Mom, Dad, and Sissy! @carbarmo, carlyannmoore.com

KEVIN IVEY MORRISON

(Ensemble). National Tour debut! Select Regional credits: Theatre by the Sea, City Springs Theatre Company, Syracuse Stage . BFA: Syracuse University . Endless thanks to his family, friend, Paul Hardt casting and this incredible team for making art that inspires. @kevinivvey

Leeanna Rubin

(Ensemble, u/s Miss Hannigan). National Tour Debut! NYC/Off-Broadway: A Class Act, Man of La Mancha, Assassins. Recent Regional: La Mancha (Fulton). Education: MFA from USCarolina. Ann Steele Agency. Love to Josh! @leeannarubin

ANDREW SCOGGIN

(Ensemble, Bert Healy, u/s Rooster Hannigan) is from Philadelphia and is a DeSales University graduate. Favorite Regional credits include Ragtime, Evita, Annie, I Love a Piano and Grease. Love and thanks to his family, Elizabeth and Brian from HKA.

SOPHIE STROMBERG

(Swing) is a graduate of the Institute for American Musical Theatre in NYC. She would like to thank her family, friends, and her agents at Boals Winnett and Associates.

(Ensemble, u/s Grace Farrell, u/s Lily). Credits: The Wizard of Oz National Tour (TROIKA), Disney Cruise Line (Magic, Fantasy, Dream), Lyric Theatre OKC, Franklin Performing Arts Center. Proud OCU grad. Many thanks to Jenn, TROIKA, and the entire Annie team. For Henry.

(Sandy) was rescued by Bill Berloni through the Humane Society of New York In 2017. She had been a stray that was picked up and brought to high kill shelter in North Carolina before Bill found her and had her transferred to NYC. She made her theatrical debut at the Papermill Playhouse as the "stray mutt" in Annie in 2017, and played Sandy at the Forestburgh Playhouse in the summer of 2018 and other theaters around the country. She hopes to follow in the footsteps of all the great Sandys before her.

(u/s Sandy) was adopted in spring 2022 by Bill Berloni from a private owner and his story mimics Sandy's. One of Bill's trainers was leaving a kill shelter in Central PA where she volunteers when a man come walking out with Georgie. The trainer asked the man if he was giving up this dog and his reply was, "I tried to leave him here but they said they were full and told me to go the shelter in the next county." The trainer said, "if you give me 24 hours I may have a home for him." 24 hours later, he was at the home of Bill and began his new live as an actor. The show marks his theatrical debut.

TICKET CENTRAL

Recommended For You

2024 women's NCAA Tournament Final Four dates, game times, TV, location, teams and more

The stars will be out on Friday night in the women's Final Four.

Iowa's Caitlin Clark , South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso, UConn's Paige Bueckers and NC State's Aziaha James will all take the court in Cleveland with a trip to the national championship game on the line, and each has their own calling card as they enter the championship rounds.

Clark's story is well-documented at this point , but endlessly impressive nonetheless: She put together a Her-culean effort in Iowa's win over LSU in the Elite Eight, with a 41-point game (and a bit of revenge). Cardoso has been a force in the paint for the Gamecocks, and she'll look to take her game to the next level at the conclusion of the women's tournament.

J ames has exploded in the tournament , capping off brilliant performance after brilliant performance with a 7-for-9 night from 3-point land in the Wolfpack's win over Texas in the Elite Eight. Last, and certainly not least, Bueckers wants to cap off this UConn run with that elusive championship – but she plans to run it back with the Huskies next season should things go south between now and then.

FOLLOW THE MADNESS:   NCAA basketball bracket, scores, schedules, teams and more.

FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA basketball bracket, scores, schedules, teams and more.

However you cut it, the women's Final Four will be filled with excitement, drama and plenty of buckets. Here's what to know about the 2024 women's Final Four:

When is the women's Final Four?

• Date: Friday, April 5
• Start time: 7 p.m. ET (South Carolina vs. NC State); 9:30 p.m. ET (UConn vs. Iowa)

The women's Final Four is set for tip-off on Friday, April 5. The first game begins at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT), with the second matchup following at 9:30 p.m. ET, or after the conclusion of the first game.

What TV channel is the women's Final Four on?

ESPN will broadcast both games of the 2024 women's Final Four, with the doubleheader beginning at 7 p.m. ET on Friday night.

Where is the women's Final Four?

• Location: Cleveland, Ohio
• Venue: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse

The semifinal games of the 2024 women's NCAA Tournament will take place at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. The arena is home of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers and seats over 19,000 fans.

Women's Final Four bracket

Here's how the women's Final Four bracket shapes up entering the final weekend of the tourney:

• (1) South Carolina vs. (3) North Carolina State
• (1) Iowa vs. (3) UConn

Who is in the women's Final Four?

In one matchup, the South Carolina Gamecocks take on the North Carolina State Wolfpack in a battle of Carolina supremacy. South Carolina, led by 6-foot-7 senior Kamilla Cardoso, looks to keep its undefeated season rolling against the Wolfpack. Aziaha James has been on a tear in the tournament, last exploding for seven 3-pointers in NC State's win over the Longhorns.

In the other showdown, Caitlin Clark looks to keep her historic 2023-24 season alive when she and the Hawkeyes face off against Paige Bueckers and UConn in the semifinal. Clark put up a masterful performance in their regional final vs. LSU, scoring 41 points in 40 minutes and exacting revenge against the Tigers.

Puerto Rico’s southern coast is the island’s best-kept secret

Take it from a guayama native: the caribbean coast is worth exploring from end to end.

The scenery starts to change when you leave the tall hotels and tapón (traffic jam) of San Juan behind.

Head south on Route 52, and you will start seeing the lush green mountains of Cordillera Central. As you approach the southern coast, the dense vegetation transforms into clusters of cactuses and shrubs, painting an arid landscape against the distant view of the Caribbean Sea.

Ranging east to west from the town of Yabucoa to Cabo Rojo, the southern coast of Puerto Rico is rich in culture, food, beaches and nature. But beyond all the tangible attractions, locals say the spirit of hospitality makes the place unique. “Our greatest asset is the people, who make people feel at home,” says Milexys Rosado Romero, the owner of Hacienda Tres Casitas , a farm stay in Cabo Rojo.

I learned this growing up in Guayama, where neighbors traded mangoes for papayas. My parents were always inviting people for coffee, or my dad might arrive home with a bagful of fresh seafood he got from a friend he ran into at the beach.

Unfortunately, no reliable public transport options exist, so renting a car is the best bet to reach the smaller towns and unspoiled beaches. Highway 52 traverses the island from north to south, taking you from San Juan to Guayama in around 90 minutes, depending on traffic, and to Ponce in two hours or less. Highway 2 takes you west to Cabo Rojo and up the western coast, and Route 3 takes you along the eastern coast with scenic ocean views of Patillas and Maunabo.

If traveling during the fall, you may catch surfers in Guardarraya Beach in Patillas. It’s hard to get lost as you can easily find lesser-known beaches via Google Maps, with good cell coverage throughout the region.

Many of the lodgings offered on the southern coast, from the luxury Copamarina Beach Resort to the kid-friendly Combate Beach Resort , have been owned by local families for generations. Farm stays, small inns known as paradors and vacation rentals dominate the accommodations, making for a relaxed scene.

I recommend visiting from Wednesdays to Sundays for a livelier scene and more dining options; earlier in the week is perfect for having the beaches all to yourself.

Low-key beaches in Cabo Rojo

Even the Caribbean Sea beaches on the southern coast of Puerto Rico are in chill mode, more relaxed than their choppy Atlantic Ocean counterparts in the north.

With small waves and shallow waters, Combate Beach, on the southwest corner, is ideal for families. Make it a day-long affair with a passion fruit mojito at Annie’s Place with picturesque sunset views.

For a more rustic beach experience, go to Playa Sucia, one of Puerto Rico’s southernmost beaches. While there, hike the trails leading to El Faro de Cabo Rojo and Puente de Piedra for 360-degree views of a colorful mix of Caribbean blues, sandy-colored rocky enclaves and green mangroves along the coast. Walk a mile and a half north of Playa Sucia, and you will encounter the Salinas de Cabo Rojo, with colorful yellow-shouldered blackbirds flying over the pink salt flats.

Boquerón is a neighborhood known for its stands of local fish, oysters and clams. You can also take a dip at its small sandy strip. The neighborhood is vibrant, with music blaring throughout the many kiosks and beachside restaurants, most specializing in seafood. You don’t have to go far inland to find roasted pork at Camino Los Charros. Rosado also recommends La Catumba Lechonera among the many restaurants that specialize in pork.

Restaurants on the rise in Guayama

“Guayama esta pegao” — in style, according to what I’ve heard from many friends across the island.

A coastal city on the southeastern side, it is known for having a charming plaza (town square) with homes and buildings dating from the 1800s. One of these historical homes houses Gallo Pinto , a restaurant by chef Ángel David Moreno Zayas that has become a destination with dishes like grilled oysters, bone marrow with beef tartare, and fried red snapper.

“I’ve worked in many kitchens in San Juan and the mainland United States, but I wanted to open my restaurant in Guayama,” says Moreno Zayas of his hometown. “It started as a casual place because we were recovering from the pandemic, but now we’ve incorporated more fine-dining elements, and the reception has been spectacular.”

After a feast at Gallo Pinto, one must save room for ice cream at one of Guayama’s classic spots, Rex Cream. Owned by Chinese-Cuban immigrants, the Louke Chang family, it’s a mandatory stop. A scoop of salty-sweet corn ice cream with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon is perfect for a walk along the plaza.

At Pozuelo, a fishermen’s neighborhood beyond the city center, go to El Arcoiris for one of my childhood favorites, the octopus salad with a side of tostones. Or bite into a crispy alcapurria — a fritter made of banana and root vegetables — at El Fogón de Susa as you stroll along the beach.

You can find one of the most impressive wine lists in the south at Prime Market , where local couple Laury Cordero Sabater and Antonio Palau transformed an old home along Route 3 into an ample outdoor patio with a menu specializing in steaks.

Art and culture in Ponce

It’s hard to find Puerto Ricans prouder of their hometown than Ponceños. I’m not disputing their pride, because the city has so much to offer, especially in terms of arts and culture.

“Start with a walking tour of the city center of Ponce to learn about the history of Ponce and gain an orientation of the city,” says Melina Aguilar Colón, the founder of Isla Caribe tours. “One of the sights not to be missed is the Parque de Bombas de Ponce,” she said. Initially built in 1882 for the Exhibition Trade Fair, the Ponce firehouse is a symbol of the city; the distinct red-and-black-striped facade was an inspiration for the Ponce flag.

After walking through the city center, go for cocktails along Paseo de la Salsa Cheo Feliciano, named after the pioneering salsa singer José Feliciano. At El Marlin 107, William Collazo, a big name in Puerto Rico’s cocktail community, mixes drinks with tropical infusions like coconut water, guava and mangoes. On the weekends, expect live music along the street where you can test your salsa skills. For dinner, head to Chef’s Creations, where you catch chef Jorge Rivera cooking over a wood-fired grill in his restaurant’s patio.

Although the city has suffered structural damage during Hurricane Maria in 2017, followed by an earthquake in 2020, Ponce has focused on reconstruction and updates to many of its cultural institutions. The Teatro La Perla, a cultural hub for performance art, is set to reopen in 2025 with plays and musical performances. The Art Museum of Ponce , home of the iconic “Flaming June” by Sir Frederic Leighton (which is currently on loan to the Royal Academy of Arts in London), recently reopened its doors after extensive repairs.

Ponce is also considered the birthplace of plena music, one of the traditional sounds of Puerto Rico. Deeply infused with African beats, plena tells the story of the Puerto Rican people from the early 1900s. You can learn more about plena and other Puerto Rican music like bomba and danza at the Museo de la Música Puertorriqueña, a small museum in the city center.

El Bosque dry forest and bioluminescent bays

According to Aguilar Colón, “everybody knows about El Yunque rainforest, but nobody talks about El Bosque Seco de Guánica, the dry forest on the island’s southwest coast.” I agree.

One of the things that makes Puerto Rico unique is the contrast of ecosystems in a relatively small island. Walking along the trails, you will notice the different varieties of cactuses, Guayacán trees and mangroves as you get closer to the shoreline. Birdwatchers will rejoice with the sights of sparrow hawks, hummingbirds and brown pelicans. The dry forest is one of the island’s hottest places, so ensure you bring plenty of water and sun protection.

Next to Guánica, in the neighboring town of Lajas, there’s another natural phenomenon. La Parguera is home to one of the three bioluminescent bays of Puerto Rico. Because of overpopulation, it’s not as bright as in Vieques, but it’s still worth a trip if you’re in the area.

The local dock offers boat rides, and you can also find kayak tours taking you deeper into the bay for better views. Beyond the bay, the Parguera is known for its bustling scene on the weekends with plenty of bars, restaurants and bands.

Jessica van Dop DeJesus is a travel and food writer, digital content creator and the author of “ The Dining Traveler Guide to Puerto Rico .” She divides her time between Brussels, D.C. and western New York. Follow her on Instagram @diningtraveler .

Where to go

Our favorite destinations: These 12 destinations are at the top of our wish list for where to go this year, without crowds. In 2023, we explored an Alaskan bear paradise, Brooklyn’s famous pizzerias and a hidden gem in Italy, among other highlights ..

Travel like a local: Residents share their favorite places in our top city guides: New Orleans , Rome , Tokyo and Mexico City .

National parks: This comprehensive guide has details on all 63 U.S. national parks. For a deep dive into five of the most well-known, you can listen to the Field Trip podcast . Then explore tips from locals for visiting Yosemite , Glacier and Everglades .

Tales from the road: Dolly Parton has opened a new resort at her theme park complex in Tennessee, while “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines have a new hotel in Waco . Road-trippers may be just as excited to see the cartoon beaver at Buc-ee’s , and bargain-hunters should consider a stop at the Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro, Ala.