By Sam Desmond |
The sun will come out next week in Babylon — as “Annie” takes the stage at The Argyle Theatre.
Opening Thursday, Nov. 13, the beloved musical classic is directed by Valerie Wright and stars Charlotte van Ledtje in the titular role.
With countless versions of the plucky red-haired orphan over the decades, Wright said she wanted this production to stand apart through deep dramaturgical research into the Depression-era world of “Annie.”
“There was lots of preliminary research conducted,” said Wright. “There are so many historical references in the musical and so much about the politics of the era that serve as inspiration for our characters.”
The story’s backdrop — a time when the U.S. was transitioning from large orphanages to the foster care system — mirrors the hardship faced by many real children in 1930s New York. Thousands were sent on “orphan trains” across the country with little to no support system.
That sense of fear and resilience, Wright said, informs every note and gesture of Annie and her friends.
“It’s all in the underpinnings of the lyrics — every moment,” she said.
Charlotte van Ledtje, who plays Annie, said she’s felt that emotion from the very first rehearsal.
“I prepared for this role in lots of ways… good directors pull lots of things out of you and that’s exactly what Val has been doing with me,” she said. “That scene where Drake pinches me? That’s exactly how I feel every single time I hit the stage and get to sing ‘Tomorrow.’ I feel so lucky to make the audience fall in love with Annie and her story over and over again.”
Wright started the rehearsal process by bringing the entire cast together to read scenes before blocking them out — a method she said helps build camaraderie and uncover the emotional core of each character.
For the younger performers, Wright incorporated theater games and icebreakers to help them connect with the story’s themes.
“[Charlotte] is very skilled and very nuanced in terms of a dramatic sense,” Wright said.
As for the show’s antagonists — Miss Hannigan, Rooster, and Lily — Wright leaned into their scheming sides rather than crafting sympathetic backstories.
“From the moment we meet Lily, she is assessing Hannigan for what she can steal, how she can fool or trick her — everything is a grab,” Wright said.
Still, she added, it was important to keep Miss Hannigan balanced for the younger audiences.
“She’s the disaster. She has to be scary, but she has to be funny,” she said.
Evan Pappas, The Argyle’s creative director, praised the team behind the production.
“What a thrill to have Valerie Wright directing this show along with choreographer Debbie Roshe and music director Jonathan Brenner,” Pappas said. “What a dream team for a dream of a show. They know how to deliver a classic like ‘Annie.’ And so does this marvelously happy cast who will bring us great joy for the holidays.”
And as for Bogey — the golden retriever making his stage debut as Sandy — he summed it up best:
“Bark bark bark, bark bark!”
Click here for show tickets.
