Notes from the Director
Almost everyone knows of the classic story of Annie: The orphan girl who is
mistreated by Miss Hannigan, and then gets adopted by the billionaire, Mr Warbucks,
and lives happily ever after. Right? It wasn’t until I got asked to direct this show that it
occurred to me that this story could mean something more than that. As I started
envisioning this show, the word “loneliness” kept popping into my mind. A word that has
haunted me for years. To be alone is the scariest thought. To lose the people you love
or to be abandoned. It’s clear that this is Annie’s story as she is an orphan, but the more
I thought about it, the more I realized that every character in this story has a lifetime of
hurt and pain that led him or her to where they are now. Warbucks may be a billionaire,
but has never known how to love until Annie comes into his life. Miss Hannigan may be
the cruel drunk, but beneath that lies a woman who is hurt, abandoned, and miserable.
Everyone has a story and everyone just wants to be loved. Annie tells the story of an
orphan girl who was abandoned at a very young age who is searching for belonging and
being loved, cherished, and wanted. I would love for you to come along on this journey
with us: laugh, cry, and feel with the actors and maybe even walk out of here with a new perspective, new hope, and love for those around you.
Kelly Ann Dunn
