Character Considerations and Descriptions
Annie: (Female) Street wise New Yorker accent. Annie is a tough, eleven-year-old streetwise urchin who is nevertheless vulnerable. Although she is at times aggressive or crafty, the audience should never doubt Annie is a friendly and caring child; she will go to any extent to gain the love of a family to which she can belong. Annie must be strong vocally and musically and have strong acting skills.
Featured Songs: Maybe, Hard Knock Life, I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here, Tomorrow, I Don’t Need Anything but You
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano A3-G5
Oliver Warbucks: (Male) Smooth, confident, strong voice. Can have hints of NY Accent, but he is typically all business. A powerful, self-assured billionaire who always has his mind on business. While sometimes gruff and abrupt he has a kind heart. At first, he is awkwardly affectionate toward Annie, but he soon finds himself completely charmed by her.
Featured Songs: NYC, Why Should I Change a Thing, Something Was Missing, I Don’t Need Anything but You, A New Deal For Christmas
Vocal Range: Baritone B3-Gb5
Miss Hannigan: (Female) New York accent. Miss Hannigan is the evil orphanage matron. Her distaste for her job and the children is obvious in every move she makes and every line she delivers. She is predictable and funny, in her ridiculous, cruel ways. Must have excellent comedic timing and larger than life stage presence.
Featured Songs: Little Girls, Easy Street
Vocal Range: Alto A3-F5
Grace Farrell: (Female) Proper tone or even a British accent. She is the loyal private secretary to Oliver Warbucks. Grace is mature, calm, and classy. She is businesslike when dealing with Miss Hannigan, yet maternal toward Annie. Like her name, she should have a graceful stage presence.
Featured Songs: I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here, NYC, You Won’t Be an Orphan for Long, I Don’t Need Anything but You
Vocal Range: Soprano Bb3-G5
Rooster Hannigan: (Male) New York accent. Miss Hannigan's despicable brother. Rooster is flashy and self-assured. His “moves” are as smooth as a gambler’s: sly, and deceiving. The actor playing this role should bring a sense of fun to the character and have a good sense of comic timing.
Featured Songs: Easy Street
Vocal Range: B3-G5 Baritone
Lily St. Regis (Female) Squeaky New Jersey accent. Lily is Rooster’s airhead girlfriend. She is always distracted, although she manages to pick up on any conversation involving money. Moves well and is very playful.
Featured Songs: Easy Street
Vocal Range: B3-G5 Soprano
The Orphans (Females) New York, New Jersey Accents can be used. These girls are gritty, neglected, vulnerable, yet basically honest, and potentially lovable. They have mischievous fun with each other and also have “sibling-style” fights.
• Molly—The smallest orphan.
• Pepper—The toughest girl in the orphanage.
• Duffy—The oldest girl in the orphanage.
• Kate—The next to littlest orphan.
• Tessie—The crybaby in the orphanage.
• July—The quietest orphan.
• Orphan Ensemble: TBD. More orphans may be added based on turnout for auditions.
Featured Songs: Hard Knock Life, Your Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile Reprise, A New Deal for Christmas
Vocal Range: Main Orphans Mezzo, Orphan ensemble Open to Alto, Mezzo Soprano, Soprano
Servant Chorus—Very Proper or British Accents. Oliver Warbucks’ domestic staff. Their presence, posture, and speech are proper and refined. Their heads are always held high, with pleasant, yet guarded emotions. All vocal ranges. Can move well. Especially would love anyone trained in dance! Ballet & gymnastics a plus!
Featured Songs: I Think I’m Gonna Like it Here, You Won't Be an Orphan for Long, I Don't Need Anything but You, New Deal for Christmas and Tomorrow Bows
• Drake - The English butler.
• Cecille - A French maid.
• Annette - A French maid.
• Mrs. Greer - The head housekeeper.
• Mrs. Pugh - The chef.
• Servant Ensemble - Servants in Oliver Warbucks’ mansion.
New York City Chorus—This chorus consists of several scenes that take place throughout New York City. New York or New Jersey Accents, except FDR and Cabinet members. Come prepared to sing a song.
Featured Songs: Hooverville, NYC, A New Deal for Christmas, and Tomorrow Bows, You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile
All the following characters have at least one line or a solo singing line:
• Bundles McCloskey—The laundryman who serves the orphanage. He has an innocent, flirtatious relationship with Miss Hannigan.
• Lt. Ward—A policeman who returns Annie to Miss Hannigan after she escapes from the orphanage.
• Policeman—Lt. Ward’s police partner.
• Dog Catcher—A person who captures stray dogs on the streets of New York.
• Assistant Dog Catcher—Assists in capturing stray dogs on the streets of New York.
• Usherette—One line during NYC
• Bert Healy—The ultimate radio personality. He helps Annie by broadcasting about the search for her birth parents.
• Boylan Sisters (Connie, Ronnie, Bonnie)—Assistants to Bert Healy. They sing in harmony.
• Star-To-Be —A young, aspiring Broadway actress. (Mezzo Belt) BIG Solo in "NYC".
• Jimmy Johnson/Masked Announcer—A personality on the Bert Healy Show
• Fred McCracken and Wacky—Personalities on the Bert Healy show.
• Judge Brandise—Judge who Warbucks hires to hold the adoption of Annie.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt—US President who helps discover who Annie’s real parents are.
• Roosevelt's Cabinet Members—Ickes, Perkins (woman), Hull, Morgenthau, Howe
• Hooverville Folks—Apple seller, Eddie, Sophie and several others referred to in the script as Man 1-4 and Woman 1-4. These are all homeless & jobless people who live in shanty towns.