Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award-winner Whoopi Goldberg stars as ‘Miss Hannigan’ in the National Tour of Annie’s stop at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden through January 5. See what the critics had to say here!
ANNIE is a heartwarming musical that for generations has reminded audiences that “the sun will come out tomorrow.” And now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in a new production that celebrates family, optimism and the American spirit as the ultimate cure for the hard knocks life throws your way.
The original production of ANNIE opened on Broadway on April 21, 1977 and went on to win seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin).
Patrick Ryan, USA Today: But the draw of this production is, of course, Goldberg, who reminds us of her prodigious talent as the scheming orphanage head Hannigan, who’s been memorably embodied by Carol Burnett and Dorothy Loudon. Her take on the character is less resentful than she is just flat-out exhausted by the snot-nosed kiddies in her orbit. “You must be very sick,” one little girl tells Hannigan. “You don’t know the half of it,” Goldberg deadpans, swilling another gulp of liquor before shuffling back up stage.
Dave Quinn, People: But Goldberg, with her perfect timing, takes things up a notch and finds new moments for Miss Hannigan to steal focus. She moves from the character’s many mood swings — bitter, batty, sweet, sarcastic, flirty, funny — with ease, so quickly sometimes that the pivot induces its own laughs. And in Annie’s climax, delivers one of the biggest comedic moments in the show with an off-handed remark to Mark Woodard’s FDR.
Average Rating:
90.0%
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