Annie: Taylor Richardson & Sadie Sink to play Annie

Taylor Richardson and Sadie Sink will share the title role of Annie on Broadway, beginning performances on 30 Jul 2013. Each young actress will also play the role of 'Duffy' when not starring as Annie. They assume the lead role from original cast member Lilla Crawford who will play her final performance on 28 Jul 2013.

Director James Lapine said,

As we were preparing to cast the next Annie, I realized we had two wonderful candidates already in the orphanage. Both Taylor and Sadie are such unique young actresses, that I decided to let them share the role.

Taylor Richardson, 11, is originally from Richmond, Virginia. She originated the role of 'Duffy' in the current production of Annie, and has also been the understudy for the title role of Annie. Her regional credits include Irving Berlin's 'White Christmas' (Susan Waverly) and 'Honk!'

Sadie Sink, 11, is originally from Brenham, Texas. Her regional credits include 'Annie' (Annie), Irving Berlin's 'White Christmas' (Susan Waverly). Her other regional roles include 'Miracle Worker' (Helen Keller), 'Parenthesis' (Casey) and 'The Secret Garden' (Mary Lennox).

Also leaving the cast on 28 Jul 2013 are original cast members Madi Rae DiPietro (July), Georgi James (pepper), Jaidyn Young (Stand by for Annie/Duffy/July/Pepper/Tessie) and Junah Jang (Tessie). They will be replaced by Gaby Bradbury (Pepper), Amaya Braganza (July) and Skye Alyssa Friedman (standby for the roles of Duffy, Pepper, July and Tessie). Current orphan, Tyrah Skye Odoms, who currently plays 'Kate' will take over the role of 'Tessie,' and Brooklyn Shuck, currently a standby for the roles of 'Molly,' 'Kate,' 'Duffy,' 'July' and 'Tessie,' will assume the role of Kate. Emily Rosenfeld continues in the role of 'Molly.'

Gaby Bradbury (Pepper) is making her Broadway debut. Regional credits include 'Inherit the Wind,' 'Under the Whaleback,' 'The Music Man,' 'Oliver!,' 'Gypsy,' 'A Christmas Carol' and the world premiere of 'Macy's Yes.'

Amaya Braganza (July) 10, is making her Broadway debut. Youth theater roles include 'Aladdin,' 'Annie,' 'Wicked' and 'The Sound of Music.'

Skye Alyssa Friedman 11, (Standby for Duffy, Pepper, July, Tessie) is making her Broadway debut. Regional credits include: 'The Sound of Music' (Gretl), 'The Music Man' (Gracie, Amaryllis U/S) and 'Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' (Choir).

Australian star Anthony Warlow (Oliver Warbucks) has also extended his contract with the production through to 08 Dec2013. As previously announced, Tony Award-winner Faith Prince joins Annie as 'Miss Hannigan' on 19 Jul 2013.

Annie opened at the Palace Theatre on 8 Nov 2012, following previews from 3 Oct 2012, where it is currently booking through to 05 Jan 2014.

The musical opened to excellent reviews: Simply a sweet, sweet show (newyorktheatreguide); Enjoyable (NYDN); There's a lot to love (NYP); Crisp, colorful, shiny-bright production loaded with theatrical energy (Record).

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 shows principal cast currently stars two-time Tony Award winner Jane Lynch as 'Miss Hannigan,' Anthony Warlow as 'Daddy Warbucks,' 11-year-old Lilla Crawford as 'Annie,' with Brynn O'Malley as 'Grace Farrell,' Clarke Thorell as 'Rooster Hannigan' and J. Elaine Marcos as 'Lily St. Regis.'

The Orphans are Madi Rae DiPietro as 'July,' Georgi James as 'Pepper,' Junah Jang as 'Tessie,' Tyrah Skye Odoms as 'Kate,' Taylor Richardson as 'Duffy' and Emily Rosenfeld as 'Molly,' with Brooklyn Shuck as standby for 'Molly,' 'Kate,' 'Tessie,' 'July' and 'Duffy,' Sadie Sink as standby for 'Annie,' 'Tessie,' 'Duffy,' 'July' and 'Kate' and Jaidyn Young as standby for 'Annie,' 'Pepper,' 'Duffy' and 'July.'

The design 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 is 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.