Annie: Jane Lynch to make Broadway debut

Jane Lynch, who stars as "Sue Sylvester" in the TV series "Glee," is to make her Broadway debut starring as 'Miss Hannigan' in the Broadway revival of Annie. Lynch will play 'Miss Hannigan' for eight weeks only, from 16 May - 14 Jun 2013.

Lynch will assume the role from original cast member Katie Finneran who is departing the musical, at a date to announced, in order to begin filming a new NBC comedy series with Michael J. Fox.

Jane Lynch said,

Some may say I know a thing or two about playing intimidating authority figures. So I am excited and honored to be making my Broadway debut with the wonderful Annie company at the Palace Theatre and joining the pantheon of women who have taken on the great and irresistible role of wicked Miss Hannigan.
Katie Finneran commented,
I am forever indebted to the creative team and producers of Annie. They made a dream come true for me by giving me the chance to play Miss Hannigan on Broadway. And now they have been unbelievably generous in recognizing what a unique opportunity this television series is for my family and me. I am so grateful to them for making it possible for me to begin filming the series this summer and I can't wait to come back and see the goddess Jane Lynch bring down the house at the Palace.
The musical opened at the Palace Theatre on 8 Nov 2012, following previews from 3 Oct 2012, where it is currently booking through to 17 Nov 2013.

The musical opened to excellent reviews: Simply a sweet, sweet show (newyorktheatreguide); Enjoyable (NYDN); There's a lot to love (NYP); Crisp, colorful, shiny-bright production loaded with theatrical energy (Record).

Directed by three-time Tony Award winner James Lapine ('The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,' 'Passion,' 'Falsettos') and choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler (In the Heights), Annie features music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin and book by Thomas Meehan, based on the newspaper character "Little Orphan Annie" by Harold Gray.

The musical tells the story of orphan Annie, a girl whose optimism knows no bounds. Annie lives in an orphanage looked after by the cruel Miss Hannigan, but her life changes when she is selected to spend time in the house of wealthy industrialist Oliver Warbucks.

The score for Annie includes "Maybe," "It's the Hard Knock Life," "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile," "Easy Street," "I Don't Need Anything But You" and the eternal anthem of optimism, "Tomorrow".

The shows principal cast currently stars two-time Tony Award winner Katie Finneran as 'Miss Hannigan,' Anthony Warlow as 'Daddy Warbucks,' 11-year-old Lilla Crawford as 'Annie,' with Brynn O'Malley as 'Grace Farrell,' Clarke Thorell as 'Rooster Hannigan' and J. Elaine Marcos as 'Lily St. Regis.'

The Orphans are Madi Rae DiPietro as 'July,' Georgi James as 'Pepper,' Junah Jang as 'Tessie,' Tyrah Skye Odoms as 'Kate,' Taylor Richardson as 'Duffy' and Emily Rosenfeld as 'Molly,' with Brooklyn Shuck as standby for 'Molly,' 'Kate,' 'Tessie,' 'July' and 'Duffy,' Sadie Sink as standby for 'Annie,' 'Tessie,' 'Duffy,' 'July' and 'Kate' and Jaidyn Young as standby for 'Annie,' 'Pepper,' 'Duffy' and 'July.'

The design team includes scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Donald Holder and sound design by Brian Ronan.

The musical is produced on Broadway by Arielle Tepper Madover, Roger Horchow, Sally Horchow, Roger Berlind, Roy Furman, Debbie Bisno, Stacey Mindich, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Daryl Roth/Jane Bergère and Eva Price/Christina Papagjika.

Jane Lynch

Originally published on

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