Orphan Annie returns
BY SANDRA SIAGIAN
HER bright red curls, loveable nature and catchy selection of tunes including Tomorrow and It’s the Hard Knock Life has made her one of the most famous young orphans.
Now the classic story of Little Orphan Annie will be back in lights when the Broadway musical Annie opens in Sydney this December.
Siena Elchaar, 11, of Peakhurst, was one of three girls to land the coveted role of Annie. The St George performer beat hundreds of hopefuls and will share the lead role with Marley Aspinall, 12, of Glebe and Ella Nicol, 9, of Turramurra.
The legal restrictions of working at a young age mean there will be three different casts who will alternate the roles of Annie and the seven orphans.
Siena said she was looking forward to sharing the spotlight with the other two girls and hoped this would kick-start a lasting career.
“We’ve started to get to know each other more and we really like each other,” Siena said. “This is going to be amazing; we’re so excited and we can’t wait!”
The musical that first launched on Broadway in 1977 will be at Star City casino’s Lyric Theatre from December 29 until January 30. The production will also star Anthony Warlow, Todd McKenney, Chloe Dallimore, Julie Goodwin and Alan Jones as President Roosevelt.