I have memories of being at my bubbe’s house in Winnipeg, Manitoba. We would sit in the den after supper and watch Star Search. She and I were always amazed at these little kids with big talent. I was given tickets to see Annie for review and I imagined what accolades my bubbe would have had were she around to be sitting next to me as I watched the show

When I went to see Annie (on Tour) last night, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I have never seen Annie though I know all the popular refrains. “Tomorrow, tomorrow I’ll love ya tomorrow…”. “It’s a hard knock life for me…”. There is nothing like live performance and seeing Annie reminded me of that.  Seeing this young talent on stage live was inspiring.

I was impressed with the talent. The orphans belted out their songs perfectly in key and their acting skills were noteable. Annie was excellent, performed by Angelina Carballo as were orphans played by Katie Wylie (Duffy) and Bunny Baldwin (Molly).  To be fair the entire cast was excellent.  I was impressed by the leads, in particular, Erin Fish (Miss Hannigan), Gilgamesh Taggett (Oliver Warbucks), and Casey Prins (Grace Farrell).  The children were so good at each of their characters and there was no one weak link in the performance. The props and set were wonderful too. I loved the sets depicting old NYC. It made me long for another visit to ‘the city’ soon.  With lighting creating dusk and the sunset over NYC you couldn’t help but fall in love with the city all over again.

I knew some of the songs and was stunned and a little awestruck when an actual dog took the stage with Annie.  Sandy (played by either rescue dog Macy or Sunny -I’m not too sure which.) knew every cue. What I didn’t know about in Annie was all the political references.  The story is set in 1933 during the time of Franklin D Roosevelt and the great depression. Watching Annie now in the context of our current political situation is quite interesting.

The story has its ups and downs that kept the youngest audience members completely engaged.  I would glance over and see little girls dancing in their seats or overhear tiny voices filling in lines along with the performance because they knew every line by heart.  The show had everyone’s attention.

Annie is playing at The Boch Center, formerly known as The Wang, in Boston through May 21st.  Tickets are available online or at the box office.

Save 25% on tickets to the following select performances: May 11, 12, 14 eve, 16, 17, 18, 21 eve. by using the promotional code “POLAR”.* *Excludes Orchestra Pit and Orchestra rows A-D.

Discounted G-passes are also available for Annie on Groupon.