'Annie' opens at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre Friday, June 19

C.J. Fam (Contributed photo) [Click to enlarge]

The popular musical "Annie" will open Friday, June 19, and will run through Sunday, June 28.

Little Orphan Annie first came on the scene in 1924 when Harold Gray created the comic strip for The Chicago Tribune, according to a news release from the Lyceum.

The comic was originally Little Orphan Otto; however, Gray changed his mind and decided there were many comics about little boys but none about little girls.

David Girolmo will play Daddy Warbucks in the Lyceum production of "Annie," opening Friday. (Contributed photo) [Click to enlarge]

Annie is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan.

In the course of her adventures, Annie befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, billionaire Oliver Warbucks and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

"This is a musical treat for the whole family," said Lyceum Managing Director Steve Bertani.

C.J. Fam of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., will be playing the title role of Annie. An already-seasoned professional at the age of 9, Fam's most recent professional credit is the Asian tour of "The Sound of Music" in which she played Marta.

Marcy McGuigan, who played the evil Velma Von Tussle in the season-opening production of "Hairspray," will play the evil Miss Hannigan in "Annie." (Contributed photo) [Click to enlarge]

Playing the part of evil Miss Hannigan is New York-based actress Marcy McGuigan.

McGuigan was in the season-opening Lyceum production of "Hairspray," playing Velma Von Tussle.

Her many other credits include "Meet Me in St. Louis," "It's A Wonderful Life," "Shanghai Moon" and "42nd Street."

Oliver Warbucks will be played by Lyceum veteran David Girolmo. Girolmo played Fred Graham in the 2007 production of "Kiss Me Kate" and John Hancock in "1776."

Other credits include the Broadway revival of "Candide," "Passion" with Patti LuPone, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Sweeney Todd" and "Phantom of the Opera."

Girolmo is a multiple Joseph Jefferson Award nominee and winner.

Rounding out the adult cast for "Annie" are Len Pfluger as Rooster Hannigan, David Hemsley Caldwell as FDR, Liz Ali as Lily St. Regis, Cary Mock as Bert Healy and Ashlee LaPine as Grace.

"Auditions were held in several cities in Missouri to find the perfect little orphans for our production," said Lyceum Theatre Artistic Director Quin Gresham. "The original script calls for six orphans, but we saw so much talent that we increased the number to 10. Their enthusiasm and energy onstage are thrilling to watch!"

Making her Lyceum debut playing the part of Molly, the youngest orphan, is 6-year-old Elly Scheuerell of Ft. Atkinson, Wis.

Joining her will be Madison Woolsey of Marshall, Shinah McLean of Columbia, Madison Mertz-England of Columbia, Natalie Wittenberger of Jefferson City, Leslie Walker of Columbia, Nora Hennessy of Columbia, Hannah Elizabeth Gerdts of Concordia, Elisabeth Blotevogel of Jefferson City and Evann Twitchell of Columbia.

Last, but certainly not least, rounding out the cast of Annie is Bess Hearst playing Sandy, the loveable mutt and best friend to Annie.

Bess started life as an orphan herself and was united with her current family at the Columbia Animal Shelter in March 2002.

Reflecting on the timeliness of Annie, Director David Hemsley Caldwell said, "Now it seems, there is no better time in our recent history when we can use the inspiration and whimsy of the musical 'Annie.'"

Annie runs June 19-28: Six matinee performances at 2 p.m. on June 20, 21, 24, 25, 27 and 28 and five evening performances at 8 p.m. June 19, 20, 24, 26 and 27.