Once again, Annie is a young girl living in an orphanage run by Miss Hannigan, and she is 11 years old (Taraji P. Henson). With no one to turn to for help, our protagonist is facing a bleak future. But she never loses hope and never stops working for her goals.
Luckily, her fortunes improve when she meets Grace Farrell (Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls) and Oliver Warbucks (Harry Connick Jr.), who takes her in and falls in love with her. Nothing is ever straightforward, thus anarchy follows. However, how does this situation develop in this musical?
Because of its size and circular shape, the sound stage affords a great all-around panorama of the stage. Every change occurred quickly and without a hitch. The stage comes to life with the help of costume changes, prop repositioning, and stage lighting. This cast of Annie Live! is outstanding. Aside from being the show’s most exciting element, they are also essential to its cohesiveness. Talented as they are, they never skip a beat.
The Show has Some Notable Performances and Lively, Entertaining Music Numbers.
This group’s tribute to President Hoover’s downfall is beautifully arranged. When Annie initially arrives at the Warbucks home, Scherzinger has a vivacious performance as Miss Farrell, and she sings her best tune. All the young girls seem to be enjoying themselves, and the number “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” is quite endearing.
However, it has some flaws. The set is awkwardly staged at times. In certain pictures, spectators are obscured by props and cannot see the action in front of them. Even if you ignore the distracting staging, the performance opens with shots that are out of focus and wobbly, and they don’t get fixed until the last 30 minutes.
Update the Plot
It tries to update the plot for the year 2021 by introducing new elements, but this isn’t always successful. Warbucks being a Republican was the main problem I had. For me, it serves no purpose and detracts from the plot as a whole. I’m not sure why this particular performance of Annie felt the need to highlight a detail that is mentioned in every other performance.
Indeed, the musical’s last piece should be its most dazzling sonic flourish. Annie Live! isn’t perfect, but its message of optimism and community is exactly what America needs now. This rendition of Annie will satisfy the tastes of many listeners.
