The 1977 Tony® Award Winning Musical

CLAREMONT, CA – Annie Finds a Home at the Candlelight Pavilion –  Annie is a spunky orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil plans, befriends President Franklin D. Roosevelt and finds a new family and home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. This Tony Award winning musical is sure to warm your hearts and leave you dreaming about “Tomorrow.”

ANNIE is a beloved story based off of Harold Gray’s comic strip, Little Orphan Annie. The comic strip first appeared in newspapers in 1924 with its final appearance in print on June 13, 2010. During its 86 years, readers have fallen in love with the adventures of the red-headed protagonist. The comic strip was adapted for film in 1932 and in 1977 the Broadway production was created and has been an unstoppable force ever since, with its original run closing in 1983 with 2,377 performances. The original production received ten Tony® Award Nominations, winning Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Actress in a Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Choreography. ANNIE also received nine Drama Desk Awards, winning Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Book, Featured Actress in a Musical, Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Lyrics, and Outstanding Costume Design. It also received the Theater World Award for Andrea McArdle for her portrayal of Annie.

It is December 1933, the Great Depression is looming, the streets are dark and hope is dwindling in the minds of many. This is Annie’s New York, yet she does not see it that way. The red-headed girl straight from Harold Grays’ comic strip warms the hearts of all she encounters, including making friends with a dog named Sandy. There are only a couple, spiteful exceptions, to this rule.

As Annie searches for the parents that left her at an orphanage 11 years prior, Miss Hannigan, along with her brother, Rooster, and his girlfriend, Lily, construct a plot to foil Annie’s happiness and reap all of the benefits of her down-fall. What they fail to see is the power of her enthusiasm and optimism. As Annie searches for her parents, she finds friends and family in unlikely places. Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, a local billionaire, decides that he wants to invite an orphan to his home for Christmas. Annie is chosen, and is whisked away to his mansion. While her time with Daddy Warbucks is happy, she still longs to find he real parents and he agrees to help her. With a reward out for Annie’s parents, Lily and Rooster decide to pose as her parents.

With the villainous plot set into place, Annie is almost taken away from Daddy Warbucks just before Christmas, but he asks her to stay. With help from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Daddy Warbucks uncovers the truth of who the criminals are, and all order is restored. Annie finds her home, not in her birth-parents, but with Daddy Warbucks and Sandy the dog. You won’t want to miss this adventure-filled show; don’t wait for “Tomorrow,” book today!

The talented cast for the Candlelight Pavilion is lead by an amazing creative team with Direction by Chuck Ketter, Musical Direction by Julie Lamoureux, and Choreography by Kelly Ford. Talia Marin and Sofie Thurston share the role of Annie. Her orphan friends are played by Olivia Aniceto and Chloe Schweikert as Molly, Thalia Atallah and Alexis Winkle as Tessie, Elise Gibney and Marjory Zuk as Duffy, Cassidy Jasso and Ellie Soufi as July, Berlynn Milliken and Savannah Sanabia as Pepper, and Katherine Minano and Jaidyn Young as Kate. The villains in this plot are played by Sylvia Lavoie Miller as Miss Hannigan, Adrianne Hampton as Lily, and Benjamin Perez as Rooster.

The loveable Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks is played by Mark Everett, with Tara Guthrie as Grace, John Nisbet as President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Hisato Masuyama as Burt, and Lila Bassior, Angela Calderon, and Chelsea Franko as the Boylan Sisters. The talented cast is rounded out by an amazing ensemble including Thomas Bedolla, Eugene Collins, Karla J. Franko, Paul Hovannes, Aaron Milligan, and Aria Murillo.

ANNIE opens October 8 at the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater. Tickets are available by calling (909) 626-1254, ext 1. Regular ticket prices range from $48-$68 which includes both dinner and show.  Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more at even lower rates.  The Candlelight Pavilion is proud to announce its flexible payment plans to all Season ticket holders; save 10-20% on season tickets when you book as few as four shows in 2011.   For more information regarding the 2010 or 2011 season line-ups and ticketing, please visit us online at www.thecpdt.com.

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About the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater

Ben D. Bollinger’s Candlelight Pavilion was founded in 1985. Since then, the Candlelight Pavilion has produced over 170 professional shows from classic musicals to contemporary favorites.  From Broadway performers to local professionals, the Candlelight Pavilion has an array of talented actors, directors and choreographers that have remarkable credentials.

The production staff has worked for acclaimed companies such as Disney, and has produced shows both nationally and internationally.  The Pavilion is a 299 seat house offering fine dining and theater. From cozy round tables for two up front to larger tables of eight, comfortable booths, and even private balcony rooms the Candlelight Pavilion is an elegant place to spend any evening.  Dining at the Candlelight Pavilion includes waiter-served meals instead of typical dinner theater buffets. The flavorful cuisine sets a dinner theater standard of its own.