Lyceum review: 'Annie' is a timely dose of optimism

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

We no longer use the word "depression" to describe present economic hard times (although even a mere recession is still pretty depressing).

"American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" doesn't roll off the tongue as easily and reassuringly as The New Deal.

But in spite of the difference in terminology, there are some parallels between the time period when "Annie" takes place and now.

Hard times are still hard.

And the best way to weather economic storms, according to the musical, may still apply.

In an interview earlier this year, Lyceum directors Quin Gresham and Steve Bertani noted that the line-up for the season was tailor-made to help audiences through the current period of economic woes, and in the case of Annie, help comes as a dose of unquenchable cheer wrapped in catchy, upbeat songs delivered by adorable kids.

According to the musical's title character, a rags-to-riches orphan, no news is so grim that it can't be dealt with by resorting to unremitting optimism. And a bright smile.

The bitterest cynics among us may roll their eyes at the overwhelming sweetness of "Annie," but the character has withstood the test of time, from the 1924 comic strip, the 1930s radio program, comic books, movies and a musical.

As one writer noted, Annie "seems a permanent fixture on the American scene -- proving that whatever she looks like, there'll always a place for grit, cheer, self-reliance, and good ol' pluck."

Judging by the lack of empty seats at the Lyceum for the Sunday, June 21, matinee, there's still an audience for the kind of bright attitude Annie embodies.

The audience was younger than most Lyceum crowds, as kids -- especially young girls -- flocked to see the show.

They were treated to a fine performance, too. The three key characters -- Miss Hannigan, Oliver Warbucks and Annie -- were well-played by Marcy McGuigan, David Girolmo and C.J. Fam, respectively.

McGuigan, who played the evil Velma Von Tussle in the season-opening "Hairspray," took her performance up a notch to portray an appropropriately over-the-top Miss Hannigan.

Girolmo, who starred in the 2006 production of "Kiss Me, Kate" at the Lyceum, was both gruff and sentimental as "Daddy" Warbucks.

And Fam provided a perfect sunny smile and a voice big enough to infect the big crowd with her cheerful disposition.

Although they have less stage-time than the main characters, the orphan ensemble threatened at times to steal the show, performing almost flawlessly some of the most vigorous moves in the musical.

Especially adorable was Elly Scheuerell as the littlest orphan, standing about half as tall as the other little girls.

"Annie" may be almost unbearably cute, but a dose of optimism in the face of adversity may be just the thing during times like these.

As Director David Hemsley Caldwell put it in his program notes, "She saw us through the 'crash of '29,' The Great Depression and even fought the Nazis in WW2."

Perhaps Annie can help us through The Great Recession, too.

Annie runs through June 28: Matinee performances at 2 p.m. on 24, 25, 27 and 28 and evening performances at 8 p.m. June 24, 26 and 27.

Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net

On the Net:
www.lyceumtheatre.org

www.toonopedia.com/annie.htm