'Annie' review: Bet your bottom dollar this Croswell production is a treat for all ages

Courtesy of The Croswell Opera House

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It’s a hard knock life at The Croswell Opera House, where the company has assembled a warm, vibrant, family-friendly theatrical experience with their current production of the Tony Award-winning classic “Annie.”

I’ll admit it: “Annie” isn’t a show I usually go out of my way to see. In fact, it has somehow evaded me over the years, including 14 years ago when The Croswell last staged it. But even with musicals that might not be my personal go-to, I’m always hopeful that a production can find fresh, engaging ways to win me over. This one did just that. Within the first ten minutes, this incredible ensemble of young performers, an army of talent, harmony, and charisma, had me completely on board. These kids, or rather these orphans, are the real deal and a testament to how The Croswell nurtures young talent in our surrounding communities. I was genuinely blown away.

Take “Hard Knock Life,” one of the score’s most definitive numbers by Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin. Here, Dom Glover’s sensational choreography gives this group of young actors a chance to take complete command of the stage: backflips, splits, sharp precision, and vocals that seem to come from a place far beyond their years. The camaraderie and spirit of this orphan brigade are essential to “Annie’s” success, and director Kirsten Hinshaw has made sure they have the moxie, grit, and charm to make the audience believe every moment.

Of course, “Annie” is one of those musicals that just about everyone knows, whether from school productions, the various film adaptations, or simply by osmosis from hearing “Tomorrow” somewhere in public. That familiarity makes it easy for a staging to feel stale, but it also makes the challenge clear: the show has to make what’s old feel new again. Under the musical and vocal direction of Wynne Marsh and Raymond Novak, this “Annie” does exactly that, even as Thomas Meehan’s book still carries the marks of the era in which it was written.

At the heart of it all is the remarkable Caroline Hubbard as the red-headed orphan herself. Annie spends her days under the strict watch of the vile Miss Hannigan (a very funny Elizabeth Mitchell), caring for the younger orphans and holding onto the dream that her parents, who left her at the orphanage, will someday return. Hubbard shoulders the role’s heavy workload with ease, delivering a performance that feels natural and assured. Her renditions of “Maybe” and “Tomorrow” are heartfelt and clear, with the latter featuring the show’s furriest co-star, Sandy, played by Blueberry Arnall-Rhoades, who nearly steals the scene.

Ward Ensign brings a reserved charm to Warbucks (who, in a fun and unconventional twist, is not bald this time), the self-made billionaire trying to keep his factories running during the Great Depression. His growing bond with Annie, who he fosters for two weeks at Christmas, feels sincere and sweet. Emma Skaggs shines as Grace, Warbucks’ devoted assistant, playing her with warmth and a grounded sense of care. Meanwhile, Steven Kiss and Cassidy Giddens are deliciously over-the-top as Rooster and Lily St. Regis, the scheming con artists plotting to get their hands on Annie.

And speaking of scene-stealers, Chris Stack, seemingly The Croswell’s resident character chameleon, turns in memorable work in several roles, including a gruff New York cop, the sly radio host Bert Healy, and none other than FDR. Every time he appears, you notice. As the kids say, he understood the assignment.

The ensemble as a whole is an embarrassment of riches, filling out everyone from Warbucks’ household staff to FDR’s cabinet to the down-and-out residents of Hooverville. Hinshaw’s staging finds ways to showcase each performer’s strengths without slowing the momentum. Barley H. Bauer’s scenic design is practical yet full of charm, Love Ruddell’s wigs add period-perfect detail, and Pam Krage’s costumes are pitch-perfect.

Part of what makes “Annie” endure is its optimism. Born in the depths of the Great Depression, the story reminds us that even in the darkest times, hope can be as simple,and as powerful, as a song about “Tomorrow.” It’s about resilience, kindness, and the belief that family can be found in unexpected places. That message, perhaps more than ever, still resonates.

This “Annie” is the real deal: energetic, heartfelt, and well worth the price of admission. It’s the perfect bookend to the summer theater season and will leave you marveling at the sheer talent on display. Take the whole family. You won’t regret it.

IF YOU GO:

ANNIE at The Croswell continues through August 17th. You can purchase ticket here.