A triple-threat show with impeccable casting and inspired character acting, the gussied-up new production of Annie The Musical is a heartwarming must-see. Introducing our top five stars that shone brightest on opening night.
Keanu Gonzalez
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As Rooster, Keanu Gonzalez is so damn dialled-in we simply can’t drag our eyes off him (and his blindingly white set of choppers!) whenever he hits the stage. Every choreographic nuance is performed with the utmost precision and flair, and he pays equal meticulous attention to facial expressions; shoot Gonzalez in burst mode and there would surely be nothing to delete.
Easy Street is a slinky showstopper, with Debora Krizak (Ms Hannigan) and Mackenzie Dunn (Lily St. Regis) rounding out this production’s formidable trio.
Fun fact: Gonzalez and Dunn were previously partnered up in Grease – playing Kenickie and Rizzo respectively – and their onstage chemistry is undeniable.
We very much look forward to watching Gonzales owning the stage at every available opportunity and will follow his career with interest.
Sandy The Dog
Watching a large, floppy, golden Groodle trot from one side of the stage to the other fills our hearts with glee. The audience dissolves into a chorus of “Aws”.
The Orphans
For this production, Annie’s hairstyle gets a glow-up: a stylish scarlet bob replaces the OG character’s unruly, curly barnet.
Led by Isabella Hayden (opening night’s Annie), the child performers raise the roof off Princess Theatre on opening night.
They nail Mitchell Woodcock’s intricate choreography and individual styles are given space to breathe, even within unison sections.
Their primary songs – It’s The Hard-Knock Life and You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile – earn the longest, most rapturous applause and we’re buzzing for these young performers as they do their very best to stay in character and contain their glee.
As youngest orphan Molly, Bibiana Brudan is a standout with ginormous, expressive eyes you could read from the back row.
Debora Krizak
Without a whiff of caricature, Debora Krizak shines as the sozzled, child-hating hoot that is Miss Hannigan. Krizak’s onstage rizz is undeniable and her creative use of a prop doll during Little Girls drip-feeds humour.
Celebrities who get applauded on sight alone are typically cast as Miss Hannigan. Krizak may not be a household name quite yet, but she’s a triple-threat who brings impeccable comic timing to the role so it’s only a matter of time.
The Choreography
We’ve kept a keen eye on choreographer Mitchell Woodcock for a while now (he’s created work for the likes of Kylie Minogue, Adam Lambert and Client Liaison) and his athletic, narrative-driven choreography contributes greatly to this production of Annie.
We can tell Woodcock relished the opportunity of working with the talent assembled onstage. His shapes and steps are in line with this musical’s Great Depression-era setting. Every movement and gesture is stepped in intention and meaning, and, thanks to Woodcock’s musicality, we hear Charles Strouse’s beloved score with fresh ears.
A lot of these dancers are obviously classically trained – their extension and pirouettes are impeccably executed – and they clearly luxuriate in Woodcock’s choreography.
Honorable mention: Until Greg Page – the original Yellow Wiggle – brought out the Wiggle Fingers during curtain call, we didn’t even recognise him in the Franklin D. Roosevelt role.
Annie The Musical runs at Princess Theatre until 8 November.
