Annie Character Breakdown, Audition Scripts for leading roles, and show synopsis

ANNIE

Annie is a complex little girl. She is a tough, streetwise urchin who is nevertheless vulnerable when she thinks she might lose what has become most important to her: a newfound “family” who loves her. She has to be motherly in scene one, independent in scene two, overwhelmed in scenes four and five, needy in scene seven, and hopeful for the future in scenes ten and eleven. The actor who plays Annie must be strong vocally and musically. She must be capable of vocal projection without strain. Although she is at times aggressive or crafty, the audience should never doubt Annie is a friendly and caring child; she will go to any extent to gain the love of a family to which she can belong.
Songs you will sing in the audition: Tomorrow, NYC, I Think I’m Gonna Like it Here

G (below middle C) - High F

GRACE FARRELL

Warbucks' assistant, calm, cool, mature, classy, sophisticated and businesslike.

Grace is mature, calm, cool and "together." She is classy and businesslike when dealing with Miss Hannigan and Warbucks, yet maternal toward Annie. The student playing Grace can set herself apart from the other characters simply by the sophisticated way she walks. Grace should seem ready with an answer for just about anything. Each dramatic situation should seem to come "under control" the moment she glides into a scene. The student playing Grace must be able to negotiate the challenging intervals in "N.Y.C.

Songs you will sing in the audition: Tomorrow, NYC, I Think I’m Gonna Like it Here

A flat - High F sharp

MISS HANNIGAN

This woman is definitely a "has-been." Her distaste for her job and the children that are part of it should be obvious in every line she speaks, every song she sings and every move she makes. The student who plays her must have an excellent sense of comic timing. The acrid delivery of her lines and the torch-like rendition of her songs must distinguish her from the other characters in the show.

Songs you will sing in the audition: Easy Street, Little Girls

G - High D

OLIVER WARBUCKS

This may be the most challenging role in Annie for a student in this age group. He must appear middle-aged, self-assured and confident. At first awkwardly affectionate toward Annie, he soon finds himself completely charmed by her. The student who plays Warbucks will need to be extremely focused throughout the show. His posture, walk and speech patterns are very important.

Self assured, confident--most challenging role in show for student. Capable of showing emotional transformation and maturity. Good singer.
Songs you will sing in the audition: Tomorrow, NYC, I Think I’m Gonna Like it Here

A flat - E flat

LILY ST. REGIS (see Rooster and Lily)

Distracted airhead, a bit bumbling, girlfriend to Rooster. Good singer and actress, moves well.
Songs you will sing in the audition: Easy Street

B flat - E flat

ROOSTER HANNIGAN (see Rooster and Lily)

Flashy, self-assured, "bad guy," brother to Miss Hannigan. Good singer and actor, moves well.

Songs you will sing in the audition: Easy Street

G - E flat

Rooster & Lily

These two are quite the team -- “team” being the operative word, as the characters play off each other constantly. You might consider casting students of contrasting heights. Rooster can even be shorter than Lily; after all, these two are not to be taken too seriously! Rooster is flashy and self-assured. His “moves” should be as smooth as a gambler’s, as should be the message he sells in “Easy Street.” Lily (airhead that she is) is always distracted, although she manages to pick up on any conversation involving money. She never acts as the leader, always bringing up the rear while tripping over her own feet (it is difficult to walk and check your makeup in a compact at the same time). “Easy Street” is the most challenging number in the show, in terms of vocal range. If the students playing Rooster and Lily are strong both vocally and visually, the audience will feel like joining them in “Easy Street”!

ORPHANS

These girls are gritty, neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and potentially lovable. The actors portraying them must be able to have mischievous fun with each other as well as “sibling-style” fights. Each student should be able to create and shape her own character. Children auditioning for these roles need to have vocal strength and be visually expressive. All of their blocking and movements must appear motivated and strong. Cast these characters well and you will have won over your audience by the end of scene one.

Song you will sing in the audition: Hard Knock Life

DUFFY

The biggest orphan
13 years old
C - D

JULY

The quietest orphan
13 years old
G - C

KATE

The next-to-littlest orphan
7 years old
C - D

MOLLY

The littlest orphan
6 years old
A flat - B

PEPPER

The toughest orphan
12 years old
C - D

TESSIE

The crybaby orphan
10 years old
A - D

DRAKE

Fastidious domestic help, proud, fun character, good singer.
Song you will sing in the audition: I Think I’m Gonna Like it Here

A - D

MRS. GREER

Fastidious domestic help, proud, fun character, good singer.
Song you will sing in the audition: I Think I’m Gonna Like it Here

A - D

MRS. PUGH

Fastidious domestic help, proud, fun character, good singer.
Song you will sing in the audition: I Think I’m Gonna Like it Here A - F sharp

ANNETTE Song you will sing in the audition: I Think Im Gonna Like it Here

CECILLE Song you will sing in the audition: I Think Im Gonna Like it Here

SERVANTS Song you will sing in the audition: I Think Im Gonna Like it Here

STAR-TO-BE (Confident singer) Song you will sing in the audition: NYC

SANDY (student in dog costume) Song you will sing in the audition: Tomorrow

APPLE SELLER

BERT HEALY

BUNDLES McCLOSKEY

DOGCATCHER

LOUISE HOWE

LT. WARD

POLICE OFFICER

PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT

RADIO ANNOUNCER

SOUND EFFECTS PERSON

USHERETTE

MAN IN BROWNSTONE WINDOW

Annie SCRIPT
SIDE 1
(ANNIE, who is 11, runs in with a bucket. She has been up cleaning)
ANNIE: Pipe down, all of ya. Go back to sleep. (To MOLLY) It's all right, Molly. Annie's here.
MOLLY: It was my Mama, Annie. We was ridin' on the ferryboat. And she was holdin' me up to see all the big ships. And then I couldn't find her no more.
(ANNIE holds a hanky for MOLLY)
ANNIE: Blow. It was only a dream, honey. Now, you gotta go back to sleep. It's after three o'clock.
MOLLY: Annie… read me your note.
ANNIE: Again?
MOLLY: Please?
ANNIE: Sure, Molly.
PEPPER: Here it comes again.
ANNIE: (Takes a crumpled note from her pocket, unfolds it and reads it to MOLLY) "Please take good care of our little darling. Her name is Annie."
KATE: (Mockingly; she has heard this note read a thousand times before) "She was born on October 28th. We will be back to get her soon."
PEPPER: (Mockingly) "We have left half of a silver locket around her neck and kept the other half-
PEPPER, DUFFY, KATE: -so that when we come back for her you will know that she's our baby."
TESSIE: Oh my goodness, now they're laughing.
ANNIE: (To the Others) All right. Do you wanna sleep with your teeth insida your mouth or out! (Lovingly folds her note and puts it back in her pocket)
SIDE 2
(ANNIE ENTERS. SHE is now dressed in a red dress and her hair is curled to look for the first time as she does in "Little Orphan Annie.")
ANNIE: Hello.
WARBUCKS: Annie, can we have a man-to-man talk?
ANNIE: You're sending me back to the Orphanage, right?
WARBUCKS: Of course not. (Pause) Annie, I was born into a very poor family and both of my parents died before I was ten. So I made a promise to myself - someday, one way or another, I was going to be rich. Very rich.
ANNIE: That was a good idea.
WARBUCKS: But, I've lately realized something. No matter how much money you've got, if you have no one to share your life with, if you're alone, then you might as well be broke. (Takes the Tiffany's package from his desk and hands it to ANNIE) I was in Tiffany's yesterday and picked this up for you.
ANNIE: For me? Gee, Thanks, Mr. Warbucks. (Opens up the package and looks at the gift. She is clearly unhappy with it, but pretends to like it) Oh. Gee.
WARBUCKS: It's a silver locket, Annie. I noticed that old, broken one you always wear, and I said to myself, "I'm going to get that kid a nice new locket." (Starting to take off ANNIE'S OLD LOCKET) Here, we'll just take this old one off and…
ANNIE: No! I don't want a new one.
WARBUCKS: (Following ANNIE as she cowers back from him) Annie, what is it?
ANNIE: (Going gradually into hysterics and tears; fingering her locket) This locket, my Mom and Dad left it… when they left me at the Orphanage. And a note, too. They're coming back for me. I know I'm real lucky, being here with you for Christmas. But… the one thing I want in all the world… (Crying) …is to find my mother and father. And to be like other kids, with folks of my own.

SIDE 3

GRACE: This is Annie, Mr. Warbucks: the orphan who will be with us for Christmas.

WARBUCKS: That's not a boy. Orphans are boys.

GRACE: I'm sorry, sir, you just said "orphan". So, I chose a girl.

WARBUCKS: Well, I suppose she'll have to do. (Frowningly approaching ANNIE, assessing her) Annie, huh? Annie what?

ANNIE: (Nervously) Oh, I'm just Annie, Mr. Warbucks, sir. I haven't got any last name. I'm sorry I'm not a boy.

WARBUCKS: (Obviously not meaning it) Not at all. I couldn't be happier. Grace, we'll start with the figures on the iron-ore shipments from… Toledo to… (Made uncomfortable by the presence of ANNIE, aside to GRACE) What are we supposed to do with this child?

GRACE: (Aside to WARBUCKS) It is her first night here, sir.

WARBUCKS: (Aside to GRACE) Hmm. (To ANNIE) Well, Annie, I guess we ought to do something special on your first night. (Has an idea) Would you like to go to a movie?

ANNIE: (Checking GRACE to see if this would be all right; GRACE nods "yes") Gosh, Mr. Warbucks, I've never been to one.

WARBUCKS: Then you'll go to the Roxy. And then an ice-cream soda at Rumpelmayer's and a hansom cab ride around Central Park.

ANNIE: Golly!

WARBUCKS: Grace, forget about the dictation for tonight. Instead, you take Annie to the movies.

GRACE: Yes, sir.

ANNIE: (Obviously disappointed about something) Aw, gee.

WARBUCKS: Something the matter, Annie?

ANNIE: It's just that… well… I thought you were going to take me.

WARBUCKS: Oh, no, I'm afraid I'll be far too busy tonight.

ANNIE: Aw, gee.

SIDE 4

WARBUCKS: Annie, I'm afraid the F.B.I. doesn't think that there's a chance in a million of tracing your parents through the locket. I'm sorry. (Takes the locket from the envelope and puts it on ANNIE)

ANNIE: (CROSSING to the settee and sitting down dejectedly) That's okay. You did your best. Anyway, I guess a kid can get along without folks. You didn't turn out so bad.

WARBUCKS: (CROSSES to the settee with ANNIE and sits) Annie. I want to adopt you.

ANNIE: Adopt me?

WARBUCKS: Yes or no?

ANNIE: If I can't have my real mother and father, there's no one in the world I'd rather have for a father than you, Mr. Warbucks! (They hug. As ANNIE and WARBUCKS embrace, GRACE starts to join them, but then catches herself, realizing that it is their moment, and steps back in embarrassment)

WARBUCKS: (Picking up ANNIE and swinging her around) Annie, this isn't just going to be an adoption, it's going to be a celebration! And you can have anyone in the world you want to come to it. Who would you like?

ANNIE: Well, I guess I'd like Miss Farrell here. And Mr. Drake. And Mrs. Pugh. And, well, everybody here.

WARBUCKS: Tell the staff to get spiffed up. They're going to be the guests at Annie's adoption party.

ANNIE: Oh, and the kids.

WARBUCKS: It'll be way past their bedtime now. But I'll tell you what, we'll have everyone from the Orphanage here tomorrow for a big Christmas party.

ANNIE: Miss Hannigan, too?

WARBUCKS: (Generous) Why not?

Music: Tomorrow

Warbucks SCRIPT
SIDE 1
WARBUCKS: (OFFSTAGE) Where is everybody? (OLIVER WARBUCKS, trailed by a uniformed CHAUFFEUR, comes bustling in. WARBUCKS is carrying a bulging briefcase and the CHAUFFEUR is carrying two suitcases. WARBUCKS takes off his overcoat and hands it to DRAKE) Hello, everybody.
SERVANTS: Sir.
GRACE: Welcome home, Mr. Warbucks.
WARBUCKS: It's good to be home.
DRAKE: How was your flight from Chicago?
WARBUCKS: Not bad… only took eleven hours. Grace?
GRACE: (Eagerly) Yes, sir?
WARBUCKS: Messages?
GRACE: (consulting a notepad) President Roosevelt wants you to call him at the White House.
WARBUCKS: I'll get back to him tomorrow.
GRACE: (Trying to introduce ANNIE to WARBUCKS) Mr. Warbucks…
WARBUCKS: All right, good to see you all again.
SERVANTS: Sir.
WARBUCKS: Drake, dismiss the staff.
DRAKE: Yes, sir.
(The SERVANTS, not including GRACE, EXIT; WARBUCKS turns to speak to GRACE and, for the first time, notices ANNIE)
WARBUCKS: And, Grace, if you'll get your notebook… Who is that?
GRACE: This is Annie, Mr. Warbucks: the orphan who will be with us for Christmas.
WARBUCKS: That's not a boy. Orphans are boys.
GRACE: I'm sorry, sir, you just said "orphan". So, I chose a girl.
WARBUCKS: Well, I suppose she'll have to do. (Frowningly approaching ANNIE, assessing her) Annie, huh? Annie what?
ANNIE: (Nervously) Oh, I'm just Annie, Mr. Warbucks, sir. I haven't got any last name. I'm sorry I'm not a boy.
WARBUCKS: (Obviously not meaning it) Not at all. I couldn't be happier. Grace, we'll start with the figures on the iron-ore shipments from… Toledo to… (Made uncomfortable by the presence of ANNIE, aside to GRACE) What are we supposed to do with this child?
GRACE: (Aside to WARBUCKS) It is her first night here, sir.
WARBUCKS: (Aside to GRACE) Hmm. (To ANNIE) Well, Annie, I guess we ought to do something special on your first night. (Has an idea) Would you like to go to a movie?
ANNIE: (Checking GRACE to see if this would be all right; GRACE nods "yes") Gosh, Mr. Warbucks, I've never been to one.
WARBUCKS: Then you'll go to the Roxy. And then an ice-cream soda at Rumpelmayer's and a hansom cab ride around Central Park.
ANNIE: Golly!
WARBUCKS: Grace, forget about the dictation for tonight. Instead, you take Annie to the movies.
GRACE: Yes, sir.
ANNIE: (Obviously disappointed about something) Aw, gee.
WARBUCKS: Something the matter, Annie?
ANNIE: It's just that… well… I thought you were going to take me.
WARBUCKS: Oh, no, I'm afraid I'll be far too busy tonight.
ANNIE: Aw, gee.
SIDE 2
WARBUCKS: Ah, finally. (Opening the envelope, taking out a letter, and reading it) Agent Gunderson located the manufacturer of Annie's locket. In Utica, New York.
ANNIE: Oh, boy! (CROSSES to WARBUCKS, excited)
WARBUCKS: Over ninety thousand were made and sold.
ANNIE: Aw, gee.
WARBUCKS: Annie, I'm afraid the F.B.I. doesn't think that there's a chance in a million of tracing your parents through the locket. I'm sorry. (Takes the locket from the envelope and puts it on ANNIE)
ANNIE: (CROSSING to the settee and sitting down dejectedly) That's okay. You did your best. Anyway, I guess a kid can get along without folks. You didn't turn out so bad.
WARBUCKS: Grace?
GRACE: Yes, sir?
WARBUCKS: Do you have those legal papers I gave you the other day?
GRACE: Right here!
WARBUCKS: (CROSSES to the settee with ANNIE and sits) Annie. I want to adopt you.
ANNIE: Adopt me?
WARBUCKS: Yes or no?
ANNIE: If I can't have my real mother and father, there's no one in the world I'd rather have for a father than you, Mr. Warbucks! (They hug. As ANNIE and WARBUCKS embrace, GRACE starts to join them, but then catches herself, realizing that it is their moment, and steps back in embarrassment)
WARBUCKS: (Picking up ANNIE and swinging her around) Annie, this isn't just going to be an adoption, it's going to be a celebration! And you can have anyone in the world you want to come to it. Who would you like?
ANNIE: Well, I guess I'd like Miss Farrell here. And Mr. Drake. And Mrs. Pugh. And, well, everybody here.
WARBUCKS: Drake?
DRAKE: (ENTERING) Yes, sir.
WARBUCKS: Tell the staff to get spiffed up. They're going to be the guests at Annie's adoption party.
DRAKE: Yes, sir! (Skips off for joy)
ANNIE: Oh, and the kids.
WARBUCKS: It'll be way past their bedtime now. But I'll tell you what, we'll have everyone from the Orphanage here tomorrow for a big Christmas party.
ANNIE: Miss Hannigan, too?
WARBUCKS: (Generous) Why not?

Music: NYC, Tomorrow