Oliver Warbucks

Scholars interested in auditioning for the role of Oliver Warbucks will need to sing "N.Y.C." and be prepared to read dialogue at auditions.

Oliver Warbucks - Audition Dialogue

(ANNIE ENTERS. SHE is now dressed in a red dress and her hair is curled to look for the first time as she does in "Little Orphan Annie.")

ANNIE: Hello.

WARBUCKS: Annie, can we have a man-to-man talk?

ANNIE: You're sending me back to the Orphanage, right?

WARBUCKS: Of course not. (Pause) Annie, I was born into a very poor family and both of my parents died before I was ten. So I made a promise to myself - someday, one way or another, I was going to be rich. Very rich.

ANNIE: That was a good idea.

WARBUCKS: But, I've lately realized something. No matter how much money you've got, if you have no one to share your life with, if you're alone, then you might as well be broke. (Takes the Tiffany's package from his desk and hands it to ANNIE) I was in Tiffany's yesterday and picked this up for you.

ANNIE: For me? Gee, Thanks, Mr. Warbucks. (Opens up the package and looks at the gift. She is clearly unhappy with it, but pretends to like it) Oh. Gee.

WARBUCKS: It's a silver locket, Annie. I noticed that old, broken one you always wear, and I said to myself, "I'm going to get that kid a nice new locket." (Starting to take off ANNIE'S OLD LOCKET) Here, we'll just take this old one off and…

ANNIE: No! I don't want a new one.

WARBUCKS: (Following ANNIE as she cowers back from him) Annie, what is it?

ANNIE: (Going gradually into hysterics and tears; fingering her locket) This locket, my Mom and Dad left it… when they left me at the Orphanage. And a note, too. They're coming back for me. I know I'm real lucky, being here with you for Christmas. But… the one thing I want in all the world… (Crying) …is to find my mother and father. And to be like other kids, with folks of my own.