THE SUN’LL COME OUT TOMORROW – BUT THE STARS COME OUT AT NIGHT AS ANNIE CLOSES OUT THE SPRINGFIELD MUNI SEASON

The Springfield Muni Opera’s season of leading ladies comes to a close starting Friday, August 3, with the youngest of the group – the beloved orphan Annie.

Based on the adventures of the plucky comic strip heroine Little Orphan Annie, this timeless favorite tells the story of little Annie (Caroline Dahlquist), who toils away in the orphanage run by mean Miss Hannigan (Tiffany Williams), but who never loses sight of her dream to find her real parents. Annie’s plans take an unexpected twist when billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks (Gus Gordon) decides to spend the Christmas holiday with an orphan. His assistant Grace (Kristen Wolfe) thinks Annie would be the ideal choice, and her arrival in Warbucks’ life will change them both forever.

This Tony Award-winning musical first appeared on the Broadway stage in 1977, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin and book by Thomas Meehan. It features some of the most popular songs ever to emerge from a stage production, including “Tomorrow” and “Hard-Knock Life.” Director Carly Shank says her goal with this production is to emphasize that families come in many different forms.

Annie is sponsored by RSM. The show runs August 3-5 and 8-12. Please note the early start time for this production with curtain time is 8:00 p.m. each night. Reserved seats are available in advance by calling (217) 793-MUNI or visiting the Sangamon Auditorium box office. Tickets (both reserved and general admission) are also available on show nights at the box office at the Muni site.

Even after the regular season is done, there is still more fun to come at the Muni before summer ends. The Muni Incredibles! will feature children who have taken part in the Muni’s Children’s Audition Program. Children have spent the summer learning what it takes to be a part of the magic of a Muni production. They will show what they have learned in two performances on Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18 at 8 p.m.

Tickets for these special performances are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3-18. Kids two and under are free. All tickets will be available on show night at the Muni box office, and all seats are general admission; audience members may sit in the reserved seating section or may bring lawn chairs.

Get more details at themuni.org.