A Newcomer's Review of Annie
Opening night of NC Theatre's ANNIE was a reminder that talent – great talent - is here, in North Carolina. Not just in the form of one or two individuals: the entire show was permeated by incredible, surprising talent that caused my friend and I to look at each other once or twice with faces that said "this is not high school theater anymore." It's a little ironic, too, since many of this show's stars are performing at an age when my life was 75% TV. Even the dog was more talented than me and most people I know in my personal life.
Every character was exactly what any lifelong Annie fan would expect and want, while still performing exceptionally and not being for a single minute boring. Oliver Warbucks (John Eric Parker) was the stern, funny, and ultimately deeply sentimental millionaire (sorry, billionaire) that he was meant to be. Ms. Hannigan, along with Rooster and Lily (Karen Ziemba, Nicolas Dromard, and Erica Mansfield, respectively) were easy to hate and constantly entertaining. Grace Farrell (Manna Nichols) and F.D.R. (Dirk Lumbard) were equally perfect in their roles. Annie herself (Alexa Lasanta) was the sort of actress who makes you wonder if anyone could have played their character better, and everyone in the audience shared a sort of collective "woah, that's a kid singing?" after her first note. And here again I will mention the dog, who stole the show whenever he (Sandy, played by Macy) was on stage... at least for me.
The talented ensemble, composed of a wide range of ages but consistently impressive, rounded out the show beautifully. So did the set design, which was dynamic and interesting. The orchestra also did wonderfully, but that is no surprise. I had such a good time I almost bought a small stuffed "Sandy" they were selling at the merch table, but had to remind myself that I am eighteen and that the stuffed animals, and to a certain extent the show itself, was a sort of gesture from NC Theatre towards the children who attend their shows. As Elizabeth Doran noted before the show began, children are the future, and she hoped this show would inspire them. I agreed, until the kid behind me started kicking my seat. I was less optimistic about the future at that moment.
ANNIE was my first experience with NC Theatre, and cliché as it definitely sounds, hopefully not the last. It checked every box and then some. With new concessions in the lobby, a crowd of occasionally loud but mostly adorable kids waiting outside to see America's favorite orphan, and extraordinary North Carolina talent on the stage, there isn't a single better way to spend an evening in Raleigh.