Though my exposure to Annie was way backbrin the ‘80s, I knew every song – and believe me when I say, I had no idea thatbrI already knew every song to this show. It was such an unexpected delight tobrhear those songs from my childhood again, so expertly presented by the vocalbrpowerhouses on stage.
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When the talented kids of the Annie castbrstarted singing “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” a woman acrossbrthe aisle from me let out an audible gasp, smiled broadly, and started dancingbrin her seat while she mouthed the words to the song. For some of us, “Annie” is the soundtrack to our childhood, even if we don’tbrrealize it.
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Ellie Pulsifer shines in the role of Annie. Ibrdon’t suppose a young actor gets that role unless they have massivebrtalent. She did an impressive job presenting Annie as a feisty, yet vulnerable,brorphan that the audience immediately wanted to save.
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Bronte Harrison is another young actor thatbrshould be mentioned here. Once an orphan in real life, Harrison’sbrportrayal of Molly was touching and playful.
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Speaking of those adopted, mention must be madebrof Addison, the dog playing Sandy. This sweet rescue pup was arguably thebrbiggest hit on stage, receiving the loudest applause and instilling sheerbrdelight in the crowd whenever she stepped on stage.
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Julia Nicole Hunter, in the role of GracebrFarrell, has a gorgeous soprano voice reminiscent of the great Julie Andrews inbrher prime. The rest of the cast offered entertaining performances on abrversatile performance set that kept the show moving along swiftly.
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This is a show you can take your kids to and bebrconfident they’ll enjoy it. The Orpheum staff stood at the ready to hand outbrbooster chairs for smaller patrons as the doors opened, eagerly welcoming inbrthe next generation of theatre lovers.
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Annie is at the Orpheum Theater November 8-13.brGet tickets at o-pa.org.
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Show is 2 hours, 45 minutes and includes onebrintermission.
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