Watch This Preview of "Annie" at Brooks Middle School

From Oak Park Elementary School District 97:

We can always use a dose of optimism. Considering current events, that goes double now. In that sense, the BRAVO production of “Annie” at Brooks Middle School, arrives on cue.

Since 1977, when the show won seven Tonys, this well-built, feel-good family musical has trumpeted the power of resilience. Stuck in “a day that’s gray and lonely? The sun’ll come out tomorrow.”Drawn from Harold Gray’s beloved comic strip, the show, which has been made into big- and small-screen movies, is a classic rags-to-riches story.  It follows Annie from a Depression-era orphanage to life with billionaire businessman (and big softy at heart) Daddy Warbucks. Along the way, she inspires FDR’s “New Deal for Christmas” for down-and-out Americans. Go, Annie!

Eleven-year-olds Cait Egan and Julie Cozette (double cast) make a feisty and effervescent Annie.  We’ve let the book and songs speak for themselves and use choreography to keep the musical in motion and compliment the story.  “Easy Street” and the chipper “I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here” will have you humming. “You’ve Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” sparkles with enough wit to make you grin. 

As Annie’s nemesis, the crazy orphanage director Miss Hannigan, Talia Burke slurs and stumbles, while Liam Loughran brings easygoing sweetness to his acting and singing as a moneybags who learns there’s more to life than cold cash as Warbucks.  Lending solid support are Aidan Lenehan and Evelyn Cappelli as the ruthless Rooster and Lily. In the talented bunch of orphan girls, Haley Martens & Carrie Wolter play the tiniest tots and steal scenes with outsize bravado.  The orphans leave the theater ringing at the end of each of their songs with their powerful voices and belts. 

Get your tickets fast as you won’t want to miss this spectacular event on stage at Brooks Middle School as BRAVO! presents a spectuacular adaptation of the most loved musical of all time ANNIE! 

Showtimes are:

• Friday, November 8 at 10:30am and 7:00pm
• Saturday, November 9 at 2:30pm and 7:00pm
• Sunday, November 10 at 2:30pm

Tickets are $9 for adults; $7 for students. They can be purchased at the door, the BRAVO box office or online oakpark.revtrak.net