Annie: Anthony Warlow to be Daddy Warbucks

Australian musical and opera star Anthony Warlow will make his Broadway debut as billionaire 'Daddy Warbucks' in the upcoming revival of the 1977 Tony Award-winning musical Annie, opening at the Palace Theatre on 8 Nov 2012, following previews from 3 Oct 2012.

Warlow will star opposite the previously announced two-time Tony Award-winner Katie Finneran as 'Miss Hannigan' and 11-year-old Lilla Crawford (Billy Elliot) as Annie.

Warlow is currently playing 'Daddy Warbucks' in the Australian production of Annie at Melbourne's Regent Theatre. That production, produced by John Frost, premiered in December, 2011 at Sydney's Lyric Theatre. Warlow also played Warbucks in a previous revival of Annie in 2000.

"I'm having a great time playing Oliver Warbucks here in the Australian production and have always loved Broadway and New York City," Warlow said, "so I am delighted to finally make my Broadway debut at the great Palace Theatre and in the exciting new production of this wonderful musical. I look forward to working with the talented James Lapine and his fantastic cast and creative team."

"Anthony Warlow is a true international superstar. We are so excited to welcome him to Broadway in our new production of Annie," commented producer Arielle Tepper Madover. "I know he will be the Daddy Warbucks of our dreams."

Warlow made his music debut with the Australian Opera at the age of 19 in Benjamin Britten's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' His musical theatre career began in 1985 with the London National Theatre's production of 'Guys and Dolls.' He created the role of 'Enjolras' in the Australian production of 'Les Miserables,' a performance which won him a place on the Grammy Award-winning International Cast recording. Other productions include 'The Secret Garden,' 'Man of La Mancha,' 'My Fair Lady,' 'Grease the Arena Spectacular,' 'A Little Night Music' and a healthy catalogue of Gilbert & Sullivan's comic operas. He also starred in the title role of the Australian production of 'The Phantom of the Opera' (1990 and 2007-2009).

Annie will also feature the previously announced orphans: Emily Rosenfeld as 'Molly,' the littlest orphan; Tyrah Skye Odoms as 'Kate,' the next-to-littlest orphan; Junah Jang as 'Tessie,' the cry-baby orphan; Georgi James as 'Pepper,' the toughest orphan; Madi Rae DiPietro as 'July,' the quietest orphan and Taylor Richardson as 'Duffy,' the biggest orphan. Jaidyn Young will be the standby for the roles of 'Annie,' 'Pepper,' 'Duffy' and 'July.' Richardson will understudy the role of 'Annie.'

Additional casting will be announced in the coming weeks, with tickets going on sale to the general public on 24 Jun 2012.

The production will be directed by three-time Tony Award winner James Lapine ('The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,' 'Passion,' 'Falsettos') and choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler (In the Heights).

Annie features music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin and book by Thomas Meehan, based on the newspaper character "Little Orphan Annie" by Harold Gray.

The musical tells the story of Orphan Annie, a girl whose optimism knows no bounds. Annie lives in an orphanage looked after by the cruel Miss Hannigan, but her life changes when she is selected to spend time in the house of wealthy industrialist Oliver Warbucks.

The 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".

The team includes scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Donald Holder and sound design by Brian Ronan.

The musical will be produced on Broadway by Arielle Tepper Madover, Roger Horchow, Sally Horchow, Roger Berlind, Roy Furman, Debbie Bisno, Stacey Mindich, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Daryl Roth/Jane Bergère and Eva Price/Christina Papagjika.