A Heartwarming Classic: Annie Shines Bright on Portland’s Broadway Stage

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Get ready to feel the Broadway vibes right here in Portland, Oregon, as the classic story of “Annie” takes over the Keller Auditorium from May 14th to 19th. Stepping back to the Great Depression era, this show brings a whole lot of heart and hope to the stage. Bring the kids for this family friendly show that everyone will love.  

Catch The Broadway Show Annie May 14th-19th in Portland 

At the helm of this production is the talented Rainier Trevino, portraying the iconic role of Annie. With her spirited performance and undeniable charm, Trevino effortlessly captures the essence of the plucky orphan girl, endearing herself to audiences from the moment she steps onto the stage. Her rendition of classics such as “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life” resonates with a poignant authenticity, reminding us all of the enduring power of optimism in the face of adversity.

Opposite Trevino is Stefanie Londino, who breathes new life into the role of the formidable Miss Hannigan. Londino’s portrayal is nothing short of captivating, infusing the character with equal parts villainy and vulnerability. Her comedic timing is impeccable, eliciting laughter from the audience even as she schemes and plots against our beloved protagonist.

Christopher Swan commands the stage as the enigmatic Oliver Warbucks, bringing a sense of gravitas and warmth to the role. Swan’s portrayal is nuanced and heartfelt, as he navigates the journey from stoic businessman to paternal figure with poise and sincerity. His chemistry with Trevino is palpable, culminating in poignant moments that tug at the heartstrings of theatergoers.

Of course, no production of “Annie” would be complete without the lovable canine companion, Sandy played by Seamus. Seamus steals the show with his adorable antics and unwavering loyalty, captivating audiences with every wag of his tail.

Under the direction of Jenn Thompson, this production of “Annie” is a masterclass in storytelling, seamlessly blending spectacle with heart. From the dazzling choreography to the lavish set design, every aspect of the show is executed with precision and care, transporting audiences to a bygone era filled with charm and nostalgia.

In the hands of the talented cast and crew, “Annie” becomes more than just a musical; it becomes an experience that resonates deeply with audiences of all ages. The themes of resilience, compassion, and the importance of family are brought to life in vivid detail, serving as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of hope in even the darkest of times.

From the rousing musical numbers to the heartfelt performances, this production of “Annie” is a testament to the enduring legacy of one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals. So grab your tickets and join Annie and her friends on a journey that will warm your heart and lift your spirits, reminding us all that the sun will come out tomorrow, no matter how dark the night may seem.

Full synopsis: 

“This show, with its iconic title character, continues to delight generations of theatre-lovers old and new by joyfully singing directly into the face of great adversity with perseverance, guts and guile,” said director Jenn Thompson. “For decades, ANNIE has continued to shine brightly, not only as an appeal to our better angels, but also as an example of the thrill of hope, hard-won: promising a better ‘Tomorrow’ not only for Annie herself, but for all who need her message now more than ever.”

ANNIE is directed by Jenn Thompson, who at the age of 10 stepped into the role of “Pepper” in the Original Broadway production, choreographed by Patricia Wilcox (Motown, A Night with Janis Joplin), music supervision by Matthew Smedal, with orchestrations by Dan DeLange. Talitha Fehr is the Music Coordinator and Jennifer Christina is the Music Director.

The design team includes scenic design by Wilson Chin (Pass Over), costume design by Alejo Vietti (Jersey Boys), based on lighting design by Philip Rosenberg, sound design by Ken Travis (Disney’s Aladdin), hair & wig design by Ashley Rae Callahan and casting by Paul Hardt of Hardt Casting, LLC.

In the title role of Annie is Rainier “Rainey” Treviño, an 11 year old from Chesapeake, Virginia making her national tour debut.  Returning principal cast includes Stefanie Londino as “Miss Hannigan,” Christopher Swan as “Oliver Warbucks,” Julia Nicole Hunter as “Grace,” and Mark Woodard as “FDR.” Also starring in the tour are Jeffrey T. Kelly as “Rooster” and Krista Curry as “Lily.  Seamus stars as “Sandy.”

The Orphans are Savannah Austin, Saylor Curran, Arianna Guller, Addie Jaymes, Kylie Noelle Patterson and Jade Smith.

The featured ensemble includes Savannah Fisher, Jerquintez A. Gipson, Caroline Glazier, Chance K. Ingalls, Kaleb Jenkins, Jaelle Laguerre, Tony Mowatt, Ryan Mulvaney, Kaylie Mae Wallace, Callie Alexa, Brooke Olivia Gatto, and Trent Tyson.

Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in this new production – just as you remember it and just when we need it most.  This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way.

Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as, “one of the best family musicals ever penned!”, ANNIE features a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. All three authors received 1977 Tony Awards^® for their work.

By permission of Tribune Content Agency, LLC, ANNIE is based on Harold Gray’s popular comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” which premiered in the 1920s in the New York Daily News and became one of the most widely read strips in the 30s and 40s.  Lyricist Martin Charnin bought a coffee table book called “The Life and Hard Times of Little Orphan Annie” as a Christmas gift for a friend in 1970. The clerk at the bookstore was too busy to wrap the book, so Charnin took the book home to wrap it.  Instead, he read it and fell in love with the strip and set out to secure the rights. The friend never got the book.

The original production of ANNIE had its world premiere on Aug 10, 1976 at the Goodspeed Opera House (Michael J. Price, Executive Director) and opened on Broadway on April 21, 1977 at the Alvin Theatre (Neil Simon theatre).  It went on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Cast Show Album and seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin).  It closed on Broadway after playing 2,377 performances.  ANNIE was revived on Broadway in 1997 and again in 2014. It has been made into a film three times (1982, 1999, 2014) and was most recently featured as a live television production on NBC.  The show remains one of the biggest Broadway musical hits ever; it has been performed in 28 languages and has been running somewhere around the world for 45 years.  

The beloved score for ANNIE includes “Maybe,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You” and the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.”