Annie: Jane Lynch to play Hannigan from 15 May 2013

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 beginning 15 May 2013, one day earlier then previously announced. Lynch will play 'Miss Hannigan' for eight weeks only, from 15 May - 14 Jun 2013.

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

Annie opened at the Palace Theatre on 8 Nov 2012, following previews from 3 Oct 2012, where it is currently booking through to 05 Jan 2014.

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.