The Quinn Theater
Annie : The Native New Yorker, A Musical
Inspired by the hit TV film and musical Annie, this adaption sees a thirty minute retelling of the classic musical in a theme park setting. So take a seat and enjoy this classic story featuring all of your favorite songs and endearing characters in an engaging retelling!
Show Breakdown
As guests sit down an orchestral overture is played composed of the songs Maybe, Easy Street, I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here, NYC, You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile, and finally Tomorrow. The curtain is a bright red with orange accents acting as a reference to the Annie comic strip that the show is based off, and behind that curtain a secondary curtain remains depicting the New York City skyline during the time period Annie takes place in. Due to labor laws all children will be portrayed by young adults with a shorter stature, makeup will be applied to give them a younger face to help with the role. Unlike the majority of the Disney Park shows the entire show will be sung live much like Finding Nemo: The Musical.
Scene 1: The Orphanage
As the final curtain rises a backdrop of the stage depicts the orphanage. Various girls come out sweeping and mopping the stage floor as they whistle the tune of Hard Knock Life. The girls look up as they begin to sing the song. To aid in choreography they use the brooms and mops to help twirl them around, and fight one another during the song.
Ensemble:
It's a hard-knock life for us
It's a hard-knock life for us
'Stead of treated
We get tricked
'Stead of kisses
We get kicked
Other girls roll in some beds that have Annie, July and Pepper on them. Each them with different cleaning supplies tending to the metal bedposts. As the three girls are rolled in they take up parts of the song to sing along to. As the girls sing the beds are pushed around, and when the beds pass another girl they take the next lines until eventually Annie is in the center
July:
Don't if feel like the wind is always howl'n?
Don't it seem like there's never any light!
Pepper:
Once a day, don't you wanna throw the towel in?
It's easier than puttin' up a fight
Annie:
No one's there when your dreams at night get creepy
No one cares if you grow or if you shrink
No one dries when your eyes get wet and weepy
All Orphans:
Empty belly life
Rotten smelly life
Full of sorrow life
No tomorrow life
It's the hard-knock life
A large and foreboding shadow of a women appears projected on the backdrop slowly walking from the wings of the theater closer to the stage.
July: Hannigan O'clock! Get ready everyone!
The girls quickly jump off their beds and begin to clean random spots in the room. The beginning notes of Little Girls crashes into the theater with incoherent syncopation. Miss Hannigan walks in clad in slippers, a bathrobe, smudged makeup, messy hair, and a rolled up newspaper in her hand. She walks crookingly with long and awkward steps checking how the girls are cleaning until one accidentally sneezes on her slippers.
Miss Hannigan: ARRRRRGHHHH!!! Why I otta!
Miss Hannigan proceeds to swig her rolled up paper at the child, but the child uses her broom to block the hit. On Hannigan's second swipe the child rolls out of the way.
Miss Hannigan: ARRRRRGGHHHH!! After all I've done for you...for you....for you LITTLE GIRLS!
Miss Hannigan proceeds to sing Little Girls towards the audience, but also while pointing in terror to the orphans. The actress will ham up her performance, and will exaggerate her mentions of the Little Girls.
Miss Hannigan:
Little cheeks
Little teeth
Everything around me is little
If I wring
Little necks
Surely I will get an acquittal
The orphans rush Hannigan, and pick her up to bring her about the stage. She lets out a banshee shriek, but quickly gets her composure as she continues to sing.
Miss Hannigan:
Some women are dripping with diamonds
Some women are dripping with pearls
Lucky me! Lucky me!
Look at what I'm dripping with
Little girls
The orphans place her onto one of the rolling beds, and begin to move her around the stage to the song.
Miss Hannigan: ARRRGHHH!!! What is this! Stop at once!
Hannigan clumsily shifts to face the audience struggling to maintain her balance on the moving bed as the show goes on.
Miss Hannigan:
Send a flood
Send the flu
Anything that
You can do
To little -
The girls shift, and with all their might shove the bed off to stage left, opposite of which Hannigan entered on. As Hannigan backs up to the end of the bed, and hangs on for dear life she lets out a might belt of GIRLLLLLLLSSSS. Thus capping off her performance of Little Girls, and as the bed rolls off stage loud crashing noises can be heard. Following the crashing noises, from stage right, knocking and the ringing of a doorbell can be heard.
Miss Hannigan (off stage): Somebody, PLEASE! GET. THAT. DOOOOOOR!
The girls tumble over each other as they race and fight to answer the door, but eventually Annie reaches the door. Annie opens the door and in walks Grace, Mr. Warbucks' Secretary. Miss Hannigan appears off stage opposite not with a mug of coffee in one hand, and a glass bottle of some brown liquid.
Grace: Hello, yes does an Annie Bennet live here?
Hannigan: What's it to ya?
Hannigan looks down to one of the orphans who cheekily smile at her.
Hannigan: Ughhh, better make this an Irish.
Hannigan proceeds to open the glass bottle, and pours it into her mug. She then take a quick gulp from the bottle, and throws the bottle back off stage.
Grace: Why well what great aim you have, Miss uh, I'm sorry I didn't quite catch the name?
Hannigan: Hannigan, and thanks played softball in my prime. (Hannigan winks)
Grace: Very well continuing on with business, Mr. Warbucks has selected an orphan at random to be picked out for a photoshoot.
Hannigan: Annie! Get your things, you're going on vacation!
Annie: Leapin lizards what fun! Hi my name is Annie!
Grace: Hi Annie, I'm Grace come with me.
Annie and Grace leave stage right hand in hand as Annie delightfully skip away. The orphans wave Annie goodbye wishing her well as they push away the beds, and empty out the stage preparing the next scene. As they do this the backdrop changes, now becoming Mr. Warbucks' home.
Scene 2: The Warbucks Way
Grace walks leading in Annie into the Warbucks Manor. Male performers appear to take their coats and bags. While the characters walk in and talk the orphan girls are quick changing into their Warbucks uniforms.
Annie: Gee whiz! This place is real grand!
Grace: Annie this is your home now, anything and everything you need is at your fingertips!
Mr. Warbucks appears opposite of the two, and marches angrily towards Grace.
Warbucks: A girl? I requested a boy!
Grace: Oh yes sir, but a girl would be much more sympathetic to your election campaign!
Warbucks: All right so be it, say what is your name?
Annie: Hi sir, nice to meet you sir! This is a real nifty place you got here!
Warbucks: Name girl, what's your name!
Annie: I'm sorry sir! My name is Annie!
Warbucks: Very well Annie, don't touch a thing. Grace handle this I'm expecting an important call!
Mr. Warbucks walks off stage in a hurry. More of Warbucks' employees appear carrying trays containing soaps, foods, toys, clothes, pillows, and other luxury goods for a child. As Grace begins to sing the employees rush forward to Annie with their various trays matching up to their lines as they tend to Annie.
Grace: Annie pay Warbucks no mind he's an old frumpy grumpy man. We're all here to make sure you have the time of your life!
The opening notes of I Think I'm Going to Like It Here begin to play.
Grace:
Cecille will pick out all your clothes
Cecille: Green is her best color, no red I think.
Grace:
Your bath is drawn by Mrs. Greer.
Mrs. Greer: Soap... no, bubbles, I think.
Grace:
Annette comes in to make your bed.
Annette: The silk, no the satin sheets, I think.
Annie:
I think I'm gonna like it here.
The workers unfurl a giant ribbon wrapping it around Annie, taking her offstage. This allows for a quick change from her orphan clothes into her iconic red dress. Grace now addresses the audience as Annie changes off stage.
Grace:
When you wake, ring for Drake
Drake will bring your tray
When you're through, Mrs. Pugh
Comes to take it away!
A dance break ensues as the workers unfurl their arms creating a pathway for Annie as she runs out in her red dress.
Annie:
Used to room in a tomb
Where I'd sit and freeze
Get me now, holy cow
Could someone pinch me please!
The Warbucks staff all race to pinch her, but Grace runs and protects her from the incoming pinches.
Grace: She didn't mean it!
Grace:
We've never had a little girl
Ensemble:
We've never had a little girl
Grace and Ensemble:
We hope you understand
Your wish is our command
We know you're gonna like it here
Warbucks walks back on stage as his staff clears out to the wings allowing them to quick change for the next number. Annie runs up to Warbucks, and gives him a great big hug. He is greatly taken aback by the sudden act of fondness from Annie.
Annie: Thank you so much Mr. Warbucks! Here I want to show you this.
Annie gives Mr Warbucks her locket from the orphanage
Annie: It's all that I have remember my parents, but with you around I don't feel so alone.
This touching moment from Annie moves Mr Warbucks, causing a shift in his soul. The opening notes of NYC begins to play.
Warbucks: Annie, thank you this truly touched my heart. Grace! I think it's time we take Annie out to town!
Grace: You mean out in NYC?
Warbucks: Yes exactly, NYC!
Annie: Oh wow the big city!
The stage's background lifts up changing from the Warbucks Manor into NYC stylized as it was a set from the very colorful 42nd Street film. Performers run in donning Bubsy Berkley inspired outfits, and give canes and top hats to Grace and Mr. Warbucks to aid in this musical number.
Grace and Warbucks:
N...Y...C
The rich and the run-down
The big parade goes by
An instrumental overture begins to play as the performers begin to dance in complex shapes similar to the Rockettes. As the female performers kick up in the air they are carried and swung around by the male performers creating a dazzling dancing spectacle.
Grace and Warbucks:
N...Y...C
Grace:
You make 'em all postcards
Grace and Warbucks:
You crowd, you cramp
You're still the champ
Amen for NYC
The shimmer of Times Square
Grace and Warbucks spin out pointing their cans and they shove them out to each other on each of their following lines.
Warbucks:
The pulse
Grace:
The beat
Warbucks and Grace:
The drive
The two spin back together and dance with their canes.
Warbucks and Grace:
The city's bright as the penny arcade
It blinks, it tilts
It rings
A large tap dance break occurs with all the performers seemingly knowing the steps and cues right on time. During this dance break a sleazy looking couple appear, one on each side of the theater. On one side it's Rooster and on the other it's Lily St. Regis, the scheming couple fresh outta the big house. In a comedic manner they try to blend by terribly dancing, but at the same time pickpocketing various accessories from the performers.
Warbucks: Listen up NYC!
Everyone on stage stops, and looks to Mr. Warbucks to his announcement.
Warbucks: This darling little girl is called Annie, and she needs all of our help to find her parents! A big cash reward will go out for those who can find them! So go on spread the word!
Annie: Leapin lizards! This is the best day ever!
Entire Cast:
Amen for
N
Y
C
Scene 3: Easy Street
As the performers clear out spreading the world Rooster and Lily stay behind.
Rooster: Ya hear that doll! Big cash reward! I have a plan for us now!
Lily: Ohh Rooster for an escaped convict you sure do love plans!
As Rooster walks backwards he bumps into Mr. Warbucks. In this small interaction he's able to pickpocket his pocket watch.
Rooster: My apologies sir!
Warbucks: It's quite alright! Grace, Annie, I think it's time we go home!
The Warbucks crew leave the stage, and as they do the orphanage backdrop begins to fall down transforming the stage back into Hannigan's orphanage. Miss Hannigan appears from stage right stumbling out in still looking as messy as ever. The opening notes of Easy Street begin to play.
Hannigan: Rooster?
Rooster: Hanni!!! It's been a while hasn't it?
Hannigan: Whatcha want, and whos that blonde bimbo on your arm?
Lily: Heyyyyy my name isn't blonde bimbo I'm called Lily St. James!
Rooster: Nevermind her, sis listen up we need info on that orphan Annie!
Hannigan: Ughhh why?
Lily: That Warbucks fella has a big reward out for her parents.
Hannigan: She's an orphan her parents are dead.
Rooster: But what if we were the parents, just imagine that.
The trio begin to sloppily sing and dance in eccentric dance moves in order to add comedic value to the song.
Rooster:
Easy street
Easy street
Where you sleep till noon
Hannigan:
Yeah, yeah, yeah
All Three:
Easy street
Easy street
Where the rich folks play
Hannigan: Hey Lily! Make ya self useful, and look for Annie's file!
Lily: Rooster, sweetie!
Rooster: Go on dear, me and my sister got business to talk about.
Lily walks off stage all angry like as the two rotten eggs continue to plot out their next scheme.
Rooster: Okay here's the plan sis. Me you dressed up as little Annie's parents. Get that reward money and split it equally. Whatcha say?
Hannigan: Why Rooster I'd say it sounds like...
Hannigan:
Easy street
Easy street
Hannigan and Rooster:
That's where we otta be
Lily runs back on stage with an envelope in hand waving it around.
Lily: Annie's info and her parents! As requested!
Rooster: Oh yea, that's our one way ticket to.
All Three:
Easy street
Easy street
Annie is the key
Yes sirree
Yes sirreeeee
Yes sirreeeeeeee
Easy street
Easy street
That's where we're gonna--
Be!
The trio rush off the stage as the backdrop changes back into the Warbucks Manor. Mr. Warbucks walks out with Grace and Annie along with a couple of staff from the manor. The staff allow in a dressed up Hannigan and Rooster into the manor, and address them as Annie's parents. Warbucks and Grace give Annie one last hug, and Annie runs happily to her 'parents'. Annie's 'parents' awkwardly hug her, take the money, and run off with Annie and the money without barely looking or talking to anyone else. The background once again changes to the orphanage signaling the exit of the Warbucks clan, and the entrance of Lily.
Scene 4: Tomorrow
Annie: I'm so happy to be with you momma and papa! But why are we at the orphanage?
Lily: Papa! Rooster you didn't go, and have a kid with some other dame.
Hannigan: You nitwit it's Annie!
Annie: Miss Hannigan?
Rooster: The jig's up gals!
Rooster and Hannigan take off there cloaks revealing that they were Rooster and Hannigan.
Hannigan: Annie, you don't have any parents! You're an orphan for pete's sake
The three villains laugh together, and walk off stage as Rooster talks about their plans with their money. The lights get dark until only a spotlight lays on Annie, all alone on the stage with nobody by her side.
Unlike the other songs which have been shortened and changed, Tomorrow will remain unchanged in its full length. She will be singing the song out to the audience while trying to cheer herself up. At the end of the song Annie holds her locket and kisses it, holding back her tears. As her song ends the spotlight goes out, and from the side of the theater Mr. Warbucks and Grace appear. Grace looks highly concerned and stressed by some odd news.
Grace: Mr. Warbucks? Sir? We just got a telegraph in from city hall, Annie's parents have been dead for years.
Mr. Warbucks: What! How can that be, who were those people?
Grace: There's more Daniel Hannigan, a prisoner on the run, has been spotted on the run, and well.
Grace shows Mr. Warbucks the photo, and he audibly gasps.
Mr. Warbucks: Grace that's Annie's fake father! Alert the authorities! They have a fugitive to catch, and we have a little girl to save. Annie please be safe!
Scene 5: Finale
The scene opens with the Hannigans and Lily having a toast to their reward money but suddenly police sirens can be heard as red and blue lights start flashing from all parts of the stage.
Lily: THE FUZZ!!! RUN!!!!
As Lily runs off stage Rooster and Hannigan gather their belongings, and start running after her. However Lily starts running backwards as law enforcement walks in.
Rooster: Hurry the other way!
As the villains prepare to run the other way more officers walk in from the other side. From behind the officers Grace and Mr. Warbucks walk in with stern looks on their faces.
Mr. Warbucks: I believe you have something of ours? Where's Annie?
Hannigan: Annie, you have a visitor!
Annie runs out, and when she sees Mr. Warbucks she runs up hugging him. She then hugs Grace, and holds her hand.
Mr. Warbucks: Officers I believe you have some arrests to make.
Lily and Rooster try to run away but are immediately caught, and handcuffed. Miss Hannigan runs towards Annie.
Hannigan: He put me up to this! Come on Annie! Tell them how good I am to you!
Annie: But Miss Hannigan, you taught me to never lie!
Little Girls Reprise begins to play as Hannigan jumps back from Annie. As Hannigan sings her final number a dolly is brought in with straps to tie her up to it. As she finishes the song the officers clear out.
Hannigan:
I'm heading off to the nuthouse
There I'll stay, tucked away
Till the prohibition of
Little
GIIIIIRRRRRLLLLLLSSSSS
Grace: Annie, Mr. Warbucks and I were discussing matters.
Mr. Warbucks: Annie how would you feel if we adopted you, it's not the family you wanted but -
Annie: This is the exact family I want! I love you Daddy Warbucks! I love you Grace!
Grace and Mr. Warbucks: We love you too Annie!
The three all join together in a group hug. From stage left some of the orphan friends that Annie made in orphanage come out to congratulate her starting the finale, and thus final medley beginning with The Hard-Knock Life (Reprise).
July: Annie did you really get adopted?
Pepper: Is this your mama and papa now?
Annie: Yup! I'll miss you all!
Orphans:
Can't believe you got your folks just like that
Mom and dad here to bat
No more hard knock life
No
More
Hard
Knock
Life
The backdrop of the orphanage raises to reveal the NYC backdrop as performers rush in to fill in the stage from all directions. Joining the orphan girls are workers from the Warbucks Manor, Rockette clad girls, and even the police officers from the beginning of the scene. This leads the cast into a medley of NYC which involves plenty of dancing and flips, and a finale in which everyone sings the ending of Tomorrow. The curtain falls, and it's time for encore as the entire cast appears for their bows to the song Tomorrow.
