Show guide
Annie
Annie is a warm-hearted classic about a plucky orphan searching for hope, and eventually a family, during one of America's toughest decades. Its optimism and unforgettable songs have made it a beloved staple for generations.
- Broadway premiere
- 1977
- Music by
- Charles Strouse
- Genre
- Comedy
- Setting
- 1930s
Annie: quick answers
What is Annie about?
- Annie follows a plucky 11-year-old orphan in Depression-era New York who escapes the cruel Miss Hannigan when billionaire Oliver Warbucks takes her in for Christmas, while Hannigan's con-artist brother Rooster schemes to cash in on the search for her parents.
When did Annie open on Broadway?
- Annie opened on Broadway on April 21, 1977, at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre) and ran for 2,377 performances, closing on January 2, 1983. It won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and was revived on Broadway in 1997 and 2012.
What kind of musical is Annie?
- Annie is a family musical comedy with an original score, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan. It is adapted from Harold Gray's comic strip Little Orphan Annie.
Where and when is Annie set?
- Annie is set in New York City in December 1933, during the Great Depression, with stops at a Hooverville shantytown, Oliver Warbucks's mansion, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's White House in Washington, D.C.
Has Annie played in London's West End?
- Annie opened in the West End at the Victoria Palace Theatre on May 3, 1978, with Broadway's Andrea McArdle initially in the title role. A later West End revival played the Piccadilly Theatre in 2017.
Is there a Annie movie?
- The musical became John Huston's 1982 film with Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney, and Carol Burnett; an ABC TV movie in 1999 with Alicia Morton, Victor Garber, and Kathy Bates; and a modernized 2014 film with Quvenzhané Wallis and Jamie Foxx. NBC also broadcast Annie Live! in 2021.
The story of Annie
Set in New York City during the Great Depression of the 1930s, Annie follows a spirited young orphan who dreams of finding her parents while living under the strict rule of the orphanage matron, Miss Hannigan. When billionaire Oliver Warbucks decides to host an orphan for the holidays as a publicity stunt, Annie's optimism and charm begin to change his life, and eventually her own.
The show uses its Depression-era setting to contrast hardship with hope, following Annie's journey from institutional life to unexpected fortune. Its themes of resilience and found family have made it enduringly relatable across generations of audiences.
The music and the makers
The score was composed by Charles Strouse, whose music captures both the scrappy determination of its young heroine and the era's sense of struggle giving way to optimism. The songs range from rousing group numbers to tender, hopeful ballads, all built around Annie's unshakeable sunny outlook.
Based on a classic comic strip, the musical translates its source material's blend of humor and heart into a score full of memorable, singable melodies that have become part of the broader cultural songbook.
Annie on Broadway
Annie opened on Broadway in 1977 and became an instant hit, celebrated for its family-friendly charm and one of musical theatre's most iconic anthems of hope. It has remained a go-to production for revivals, tours, and community theatres ever since.
Its broad, multigenerational appeal comes from pairing a relatable underdog story with music that is both emotionally resonant and easy to love at first listen. Annie continues to introduce new audiences, especially young ones, to the magic of Broadway musicals.
Annie: frequently asked questions
When did Annie open on Broadway?
Annie opened on Broadway in 1977.
Who composed the music for Annie?
Charles Strouse wrote the score.
What is Annie about?
It follows a young orphan in Depression-era New York who dreams of finding her parents while her optimism transforms the life of a wealthy benefactor.
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