Annie
at Falls Church High School

Reviewed on November 18, 2023

Nishmaya Gundapuneedi
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

"You're never fully dressed without a smile!" Falls Church High School's heartwarming rendition of Annie invites everyone to enjoy the ups and downs of finding family in those around you.

Written by Thomas Meehan, Annie premiered in 1976 at the Goodspeed Opera House and went on to win numerous Tony awards. Adapted from a 1924 comic strip, the orphan Annie is trapped at the orphanage and determined to find her parents, but in a twist of fate ends up spending the holidays with the billionaire, Mr. Warbucks. Can he help Annie find her parents, and more importantly… home?

The lights slowly rose on several disheveled beds as the leading actress stepped onstage. With charisma, Ellie Whitfield brought a childlike wonder to every scene as Annie. Whether braving the cold streets of New York City or inspiring Franklin D. Roosevelt, Whitfield was a lively presence, drawing eyes to her ever-present optimism even when all hope seemed to be lost. Luckily, Annie found a new companion in Mr. Warbucks, played by Colt Armstrong. He may seem like a grumpy old man, but his stoicism only enriched his tender moments with Annie. Colt Armstrong's calm presence was the perfect contrast to Whitfield's bubbly persona, as he commanded the stage with a strong booming voice and beautifully navigated poignant songs.

Amidst all the cheerfulness, Quinn Lopez portrayed Miss Aggie Hannigan with a chilling blend of wicked comedy. With a large reputation to uphold, Lopez effortlessly combined sarcasm and a fiery facade for a fresh take on a well-known antagonist. Similarly, Lam Vu played Rooster with impeccable comedic timing along with his partner in crime Dara Kearney, as Lily St. Regis. As the trio cooked up an outrageous scheme, Lopez, Vu, and Kearney flamboyantly executed their shenanigans, continually stealing the spotlight with their limited time together.

A show of this caliber required incredible attention to detail, and this production did not disappoint. Throughout the show, the stage crew, composed of Stephanie Mejia Ramos, Ali Lieberman, and the Running crew, seamlessly transitioned through a myriad of locations, brilliantly highlighted in the effectiveness of the set, built by Max Purtill, Leslie Fon, and the Set crew. From the two moving staircases to the detachable railings, the simplicity of the set successfully contrasted the run-down orphanage and the pristine Warbucks' household. The costumes, curated by Isabelle Paparella, Sophie Veas, Sydney Grimard, and Aaron Seide, further enhanced the Great Depression time period, from the patched-up orphan dresses to the crisp business suits. There's no denying the entire show was visually beautiful; however, the attention to detail truly made the show soar.

As the curtains closed, you couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh Boy!" Falls Church High School's delightful production of Annie proved that family could come from the most unlikely places.

Grace Drost
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Sometimes the sparkling lights of a city at night shine a path towards hope, love, and most importantly, a new home. The dazzling colors of New York City glittered brilliantly on the stage of Falls Church High School in its heartwarming production of Annie.

The story of little orphan Annie has gone through many iterations since its creation in 1885. The much-loved comic version of the 1930s inspired the well-known 1970s musical, which was adapted by Martin Charnin, Charles Strouse and Thomas Meehan. It tells the story of Annie, a young orphan desperate to get away from her awful orphanage. When opportunity presents itself in the form of one of the richest men in New York, she finds herself whisked away to a land of wealth and comfort but finds the brightest treasure in a new sense of family and belonging.

Ellie Whitfield beamed a playful spirit as Annie, marching through the show with optimistic confidence. Whitfield portrayed Annie's juvenile nature and can-do attitude that left other characters no choice but to follow her lead. Whitfield's voice shone through the dark theater like the sun in "Tomorrow" with gorgeous vibrato and a childlike tone that consistently conveyed Annie's youth. She worked expertly with her furry castmate, Whimsy Cheddarbean, who played Sandy, incorporating canine commands into her character motions. Balancing out Annie's adolescence was the mature and stoic Colt Armstrong as Oliver Warbucks. Armstrong performed thoughtfully, embracing the subtleties of a scene such as the shaking of his hands when he was nervous or the flat tone of his voice when he was speaking on the phone. He morphed Warbucks throughout the show, transforming from a closed-off businessman to a loving new father, tugging at heartstrings in his moments with Whitfield. Armstrong's voice was resonant and silky, with a carefulness that reflected the sophistication of Warbucks.

The story of Annie would be incomplete without its classic villains. Miss Hannigan, her brother, Rooster, and his girlfriend, Lily St. Regis, were a treacherous trio. Quinn Lopez as the spiteful orphanage mother, Miss Hannigan, amusingly stumbled around the stage with her flask, layering her rich voice with disdain and an impressive New York accent. Lam Vu as the wily Rooster and Dara Kearney as the giggly Lily St. Regis owned their iniquitous personalities with a passion that made them hilarious to watch. The trio's farcically languid performance in "Easy Street" made the marvelous number a memorable one.

The costumes team, Isabelle Paparella, Sophie Veas, Sydney Grimard and Aaron Seide, brought the youth of the show to life, utilizing a striking array of hues. Each ensemble had cohesive costumes varying slightly to reveal individual personality. The contrast between the patchwork orphan clothes with the tailored, sharp look of Warbucks' residents exhibited the dynamism of the show. The special effects heads, McKenna Cobb and Justin Chenh, and the set leads, Max Purtill and Leslie Fon, worked exceptionally well together to create scenes with both physical pieces and projections. The physical aspects such as a balcony with functional doors allowed actors to play within the tangible world, while projections enabled the setting to change quickly and provided elements which expanded beyond the limitations of a theater.

As the spotlight on Falls Church High School's stage lit up, so did the city of New York. Annie was an energetic adventure to find the meaning of family and a luminous message to never give up hope.

Malyha Bashar
Thomas A Edison High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

It's a hard knock life out there – but Falls Church High School's endearing production of "Annie" goes to show that a pinch of optimism can go a long way to making it happier.

Based on a comic strip from the 1930s, the musical follows an eleven-year-old girl named Annie living in a scrappy orphanage during the Great Depression. Left with nothing but a locket and a promise that her parents will return for her one day, she survives on pure hope and compassion for the other children in the orphanage. Despite her pluckiness, her life seems to always come to the same end of monotony until an elusive billionaire Oliver Warbucks offers Annie the opportunity of a lifetime: to spend the winter holidays in his home, in the heart of New York City. Through comedic escapades and heartfelt vulnerability, Annie and Oliver's bond teaches them the real treasure that lies in a loving family.

Ellie Whitfield, as Annie, captured the hearts of the entire audience from the opening song. Despite living in an ongoing depression, Whitfield let the earnestness of her character shine as a light to inspire the other characters around her. Whitfield's incredible vocal belts were showcased in the hit song, "Tomorrow," where she dreamt that the world around her was going to become better someday. Whitfield's usage of strong character voice had the audience genuinely believing that there is a feisty, childlike wonder of a little girl onstage rather than a brilliant actress.

Annie's plucky attitude was charmingly contrasted by the stoic Oliver Warbucks (Colt Armstrong). Armstrong added layers to the character by showing a gentler, awkward side to Warbucks, for all of his solemnity, his rare shows of emotion became all the more powerful. Quinn Lopez had the audience shaking with laughter through the role of Miss Aggie Hannigan, the miserable matron of the orphanage. Hannigan was portrayed as sarcastic and desperate yet lovable, and her performance in Easy Street with Rooster (Lam Vu) and Lily (Dara Kearney) was an energy-filled, mid-show showstopper.

The set crew (led by Justin Chenh and Max Purtill) built a magnificent set of platforms, which were then transformed into the vibrant landscapes of NYC, Warbucks Manor, the orphanage, enhanced by illustrated projections by assistant director McKenna Cobb that shone on certain areas of the stage. The lighting crew (led by Brian Gutierrez Lujan) utilized a variety of colored lighting to create different atmospheres of community, resilience, and hardship. The costuming department (led by Isabelle Paparella) as well as hair and makeup (led by Vin Watts) reinforced the setting of the Great Depression through intricate details within the characters' designs, such as fabric patches sewn into the orphans' clothing and 1930s-esque makeup style. The props (led by Cristina Nguyen) department even brought on a live dog (Whimsy Cheddarbean) to play Sandy, who enthralled the audience and made the show all the more engaging.

Through artistically crafted atmosphere, dynamic vocals, and characters the audience roots for till the curtain falls, Falls Church High School's performance reminds that there's always hope for a better Tomorrow.

Amelia Rizzo
Wakefield High School
Submitted for publication to Patch-Fairfax, Alexandria

Aw gee! The sun has truly come out with Falls Church High School's production of the hit Broadway musical Annie.

Written by Thomas Meehan with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, Annie opened in 1977 at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre). Filling the hearts of theater lovers throughout the nation, it won the 1977 Tony Award for Best Musical and earned 11 nominations. Based on Harold Gray's comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, this musical follows a spirited little redheaded girl whose life takes a turn for the better when she is suddenly whisked away from her "Hard Knock Life" to spend two weeks with billionaire Oliver Warbucks. Having temporarily escaped the deteriorating orphanage and its sarcastic keeper, Miss Aggie Hannigan, Annie, with the help of Mr. Warbucks and secretary Grace Farrell, continues the search for her biological parents while bringing optimism and joy to those she meets along the way.

Effervescent and warm, the cast and crew of this production had the audience laughing, crying, and rejoicing in nostalgia.

With a commanding presence and child-like wonder, Ellie Whitfield as Annie lit up the stage. A clever character voice, fiery disposition, and vividly powerful belt characterized Whitfield's original interpretation of this classic character. Complementing Annie's spunky personality was the stoic, yet surprisingly tender, Oliver Warbucks, played by Colt Armstrong. Armstrong's honey-smooth vocals and subtle mannerisms brought life and realism to this otherwise matter-of-fact role. Beside Warbucks was his classy secretary, Grace, played by Kate Schlageter-Prettyman. Never breaking character, Schlageter-Prettyman exhibited an impressive display of talent and range.

Filling the show with warmth, energy, and laughter, the various ensembles, such as the Orphans and Servants, executed the bright choreography with ease and vigor. Furthering this performance was the Easy Street Trio. Comprised of Rooster, played by Lam Vu, Lilly St. Regis, played by Dara Kearney, and Miss Hannigan herself, played by Quinn Lopez, this trio filled the stage with their effortless comedy and conniving schemes. Also notable was the loveable Shetland Sheepdog, Whimsy Cheddarbean, as Sandy, who stole the show with his huggable demeanor and adorable jumps-for-joy.

From the festive Christmas decor to the eight handmade orphans' beds, Falls Church High School's set crew (Max Purtill, Leslie Fon, and Set Crew) and stage crew (Stephanie Mejia Ramos, Ali Lieberman, and Running Crew) certainly wowed the audience. Seamless transitions between scenes and the sheer amount of unique and beautifully constructed set pieces made for an impressive display of technique and skill. Extremely well-thought-out lighting choices, such as the use of blue-toned lights for clean, pristine areas, and orange-toned lights for grungier areas, demonstrated Chloe Brown, Brian Gutierrez Lujan, Aleks Jachimiak, and Nathalie Medina-Sadias's attention to detail. Also notable was the work of Falls Church High School's hair and makeup team (comprised of Vin Watts, Natalie Mejia-Ramos, Ellis Mitchell, and Leona Timana), who were responsible for Annie's fabulous tight red ringlets and Mr. Warbucks's sleek silver hair.

Delightful and heartwarming, Falls Church High School's rendition of Annie left the audience fully dressed with smiles.

Rosabel Liu
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Falls Church News Press

Annie, a redheaded child beloved by generations. Thanks to her, everyone knows that "the sun'll come out tomorrow." In Falls Church High School's impressive production, Annie and her crew reminded the world to hold on to hope.

In this classic tale of optimism and found family, Annie is an orphan girl during the Great Depression, terrorized by the head of the orphanage, the bitter Miss Hannigan. She runs away to search for her parents, but eventually ends up being adopted by the billionaire Oliver Warbucks, who believes that this hopeful child is what he's been missing despite all his wealth and success. In a twist on history, Annie also cheers up President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his Cabinet, inspiring them to create the New Deal.

The story of Annie originated as a 1920s comic strip that was adapted decades later into a musical with a script by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin. The show opened on Broadway in 1977 and swept the Tony Awards that year, winning Best Musical among other recognitions.

As the radiant Annie, Ellie Whitfield embodied the essence of her character perfectly with wide-eyed expressions and a consistent little-girl attitude that helped her seem eleven and bursting with energy, while her work with the live dog Sandy (Whimsy Cheddarbean) was flawless. Whitfield's vocals in "Tomorrow" shone with a natural vibrato and powerful belt that conveyed Annie's ceaseless positivity. Whitfield's Annie and Colt Armstrong, playing the billionaire Oliver Warbucks, built a charming father-daughter relationship over the course of the show as Annie's enthusiasm encouraged Warbucks to open up. Armstrong skillfully portrayed Warbucks' character evolution from aloof to joyful with his polished, yet expressive singing, and delighted the audience with stoic humor while expressing skepticism over Democrats. Warbucks' secretary, Grace Farrell (Kate Schlageter-Prettyman) developed into a caring mother figure for Annie, maintaining her prim and sweet character at all times through upright posture and neat hand gestures.

On the villainous side, Miss Hannigan (Quinn Lopez) dominated the stage with sarcasm and exaggerated movements that remained wonderfully consistent, whether Lopez was speaking to an orphan or the President. Miss Hannigan's brother, Rooster (Lam Vu) and Lily St. Regis (Dara Kearney) delivered hysterical comedy as a crooked couple in need of money. While posing as Annie's father, Vu repeatedly adjusted Rooster's ever-peeling mustache, which threatened to betray his disguise, to reveal Rooster's sloppiness and deceit. Miss Hannigan, Rooster, and Lily united as a hilarious trio in "Easy Street," where they swaggered and danced in a fantasy of becoming rich.

Period-accurate coats for the people of New York City and patched dresses for the orphans were compiled in drab colors to convey their disheartened energy, while crisp black-and-white uniforms delineated the Warbucks servants (Isabelle Paparella, Sophie Veas, Sydney Grimard, Aaron Seide). Lighting (Chloe Brown, Brian Gutierrez Lujan, Aleks Jachimiak, Nathalie Medina-Sadias) also coordinated with the mood, since orange illuminated more downtrodden street scenes while blue highlighted happier scenes in the Warbucks mansion. The set (Max Purtill, Leslie Fon, set crew) included movable stairs that were rearranged to represent both the orphanage and the mansion; all transitions were smoothly and efficiently handled by Stephanie Mejia Ramos, Ali Lieberman, and the running crew. Projections (McKenna Cobb, Justin Chenh) were used for decorating the White House set and for the door to the orphanage, allowing performers to stand silhouetted behind the screen before knocking and entering.

Remarkable performers and clever tech elements balanced comedy and tenderness at Falls Church High School, following one orphan Annie to her found family.

Cece Meza
Herndon High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

"Awwww, gee!" The very reaction the entire audience had as Falls Church High School closed the curtain on their production of Annie, which featured everything from a lovable dog to the titular Manhattan skyline.

A tale of the underdog, Annie follows the escapades of a little orphan girl and her numerous comrades and adversaries. Annie, the title character and the little orphan girl in question, was surrendered by her parents to mean old Miss Hannigan's orphanage, where she suffered for eleven years before being taken in by billionaire Oliver Warbucks.

Experiencing its world premiere on August 10, 1976, the musical based on Harold Gray's Little Orphan Annie comics was up for dozens of accolades in the 1977 Tony Awards, where it went on to win best musical and become cherished all over the world. Falls Church High School certainly did Annie proud, staying true to the original while at the same time masterfully juggling how to realistically convey high schoolers as both fifty-year-olds and eleven year olds alike.

One of those high schoolers playing an eleven-year-old was Ellie Whitfield as Annie. Whitfield wowed the audience the moment she stepped on stage, displaying the feisty yet earnest nature of a street-smart orphan with well-acted comebacks and comic catchphrases. The real showstopper, however, happened when Whitfield opened her mouth to sing, beautifully belting numbers such as "Tomorrow" and "I Don't Need Anything but You," leaving the audience on the edge of their seats waiting for more. Colt Armstrong as Oliver Warbucks too displayed this incredible vocal ability, pairing a period accurate 1930s accent with gorgeous crooning as Armstrong shifted from stoic fatherly throughout the show. Additionally, Whitfield and Armstrong had an entirely charming dynamic, playing off each other with deadpan comedy and heartfelt confessions.

Although much of the show was lighthearted, Quinn Lopez as Miss Hannigan was sure to lighten the mood in any of the darker moments with hilariously timed facial expressions and an NYC accent for the ages. Lopez particularly shined in the numbers "Easy Street," shimmying and swaying with fellow villains Rooster (Lam Vu) and Lily (Dara Kearney), as well as "Little Girls," where Lopez's vocals and comedy came through to convey Miss Hannigan's utter hatred for her orphans.

Not to be outdone, the fabulous techies also proved their worth in producing this stellar show. Props, in particular, proved to be an integral component of this production. Done by Cristina Nguyen, Callie Deboe, and the FCHS Props Crew, their spreadsheet organization including a live dog (Whimsy Cheddarbean) as a prop was immaculate, and so were their period accurate pieces like President Roosevelt's wheelchair. Helping to highlight these props were the special effects of the show by Mckenna Cobb and Justin Chenh. In order to incorporate minute details to the sets, Cobb and Chenh created a series of thirty-eight projections, including ones for the orphanage, Manhattan skyline, the White House, and more.

Sadly, there is only so much time in a day, and the audience eventually had to say goodbye to Annie as she went off to live a new life with Warbucks, but not without enjoying Falls Church High School's Big Apple bash.

Naomi Bautista
Fairfax High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

The sun came out to shine on Falls Church High School's production of "Annie," which delivered a message of optimism, love and of course, the message that one is "never fully dressed without a smile."

"Annie" brought an uplifting message of hope for a better tomorrow to the Broadway stage in 1977 and Falls Church does the same today. Winner of the Tony award for Best Musical and containing some of the most recognizable songs in musical theatre, "Annie" has brought sunshine into the lives of many. The show centers around a plucky orphan with idealistic charm as she takes NYC by storm with her determination to find her family and to escape the orphanage where she was left as a child. After enduring cops, con artists, and a scheming matron, Annie finds a new family with indomitable billionaire Oliver Warbucks and his secretary, Grace.

Feisty, bold, and earnest, Annie (Ellie Whitfield) lit up the stage with her brassy belt and natural vibrato, especially in the iconic song "Tomorrow." Whitfield's bright energy shone in her childlike wonder, clever character voice and yearning for a family. Opposite Annie was unflappable businessman Oliver Warbucks (Colt Armstrong) who quickly grew to love the spunky orphan. Armstrong's sincerity added warmth to the emotional change within his character and commanded the stage with a deadpan sense of humor and velvety smooth vocals. The dynamic between the two was delightfully sweet and lighthearted, making hearts melt in numbers such as "Something Was Missing" and "I Don't Need Anything but You." Warbucks' secretary, Grace Farell (Kate Schlageter-Prettyman), was instantly likable from the moment she brought Annie to the Warbucks' estate. Consistent in her sweet demeanor and motherly attitude towards the child, Schlageter-Prettyman's character and slow burn romance with Warbucks was tender and genuine.

Making Annie's life miserable was drunk and embittered Miss Hannigan (Quinn Lopez) whose sultry alto and mannerisms balanced the misery and desperation of her life with darkly charming comedy. Hannigan's brother, Rooster (Lam Vu) was a comedic delight. With his slapstick approach to the con artist and easy vocals, Vu captivated the audience. Equally as entertaining was Rooster's girlfriend and partner in crime, Lily St. Regis (Dara Kearney) who adopted a Jersey City accent and dazzling personality. The trio was enthralling in Easy Street, with their playful execution of the almost lewd choreography and goofy energy, they took the audience to "where the rich folks play."

Fall Church's production had a sense of community, especially within the ensemble, no matter which role they were playing, each cast member was perpetually inviting. Pauleen Kabiling's energetic dancing throughout the show and Mari Worede's clear vocals and palpable anticipation as "Star to Be" made them standout performers.

Projections (designed by McKenna Cobb) served as a charming recall to the comic strip the musical was based on and added a touch of whimsy while simultaneously cartoonishly setting the scene. Additionally, the lighting design accentuated the setting from daylighting to red flashing police lights. The versatile platform set (Max Purtill and Leslie Fon) was designed so it could function in various settings and costumes (Isabelle Paparella, Sophie Veas, Sydney Grimard and Aaron Seide) were curated to give the show a vintage 1930s feel and reflect the class differences of the characters.

Falls Church's "Annie" reminded one why "you gotta have a dream" and told the story of not only optimistic orphans, but the importance of always looking forward to a brighter day ahead and hoping that "the sun will come out tomorrow."