One of America’s most beloved musicals, ANNIE, is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie stars Conrad John Schuck and Mackenzie Phillips, with newcomer Marissa O’Donnell in the title role. Boasting one of Broadway’s most memorable scores, including “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “N.Y.C.,” and the ever optimistic “Tomorrow,” ANNIE is a delightful theatrical experience for the entire family.

With music by Charles Strouse and book by Thomas Meehan, ANNIE is again directed by lyricist Martin Charnin, who brought the original production of ANNIE to Broadway in 1977. Tony Award-winning set designer Ming Cho Lee has created a fresh look for this new production.

Conrad John Schuck, in the role of Daddy Warbucks, began his career at The Cleveland Play House over 40 years ago. Since then he has acted in more than 200 productions across America and Europe. Plucked from San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theatre in 1969 by Robert Altman to play Painless in the original M*A*S*H motion picture, John began what has been a non-stop film and television career. His first screen kiss was with Elizabeth Taylor. He has starred with Charlton Heston, Bette Midler, Richard Burton, Peter Ustinov, Rock Hudson and Donald Sutherland to name a few. His most recent movies are Woody Allen’s, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion! and the award-winning String of the Kite. On Broadway, he played Daddy Warbucks in Annie and reprised the role in the recent Broadway revival. Most recently he was Buffalo Bill in Annie Get Your Gun with the highly acclaimed Reba McEntire. Off-Broadway shows include The Exonerated and We The People. In Los Angeles he just completed Pippin, at REPRISE. Television fans will remember John as Enright in McMillan and Wife, starring Rock Hudson. John has guest starred in over 75 shows, most recently Law and Order: SVU and Star Trek: Enterprise.

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Mackenzie Phillips, in the role of Lily St. Regis, burst onto the acting scene at the age of 12 in the critically acclaimed film American Graffiti. Perhaps best known for her role as Julie Cooper on One Day at A Time, Phillips was just 15 years old when she began her seven-year stint on the popular CBS sitcom in 1975. She most recently completed the feature film The Jacket, playing opposite Adrien Brody and Kiera Knightley. She also starred as “Molly Phillips” on the Disney Channel series So Weird for the 1998-2000 seasons, as well as in the Disney’s Double Teamed. Phillips has also appeared in the feature films Rafferty & The Gold Dust Twins and True Friends, as well as the television movies Katie’s Secret, Miles Before I Go To Sleep, and Eleanor and Franklin. She has guest starred in the television series NYPD Blue, ER, Seventh Heaven, Crossing Jordan, and Without a Trace. Her recent stage appearances include The Vagina Monologues in New York City, as well as a starring role in the national tour of Grease and Same Time, Next Year. She also reprised her role of Rizzo in Grease on Broadway. Born into a legendary musical family, Phillips is also a talented singer and songwriter. Her father, John Phillips, was the founder of the 60’s vocal group The Mamas and The Papas.

Marissa O’Donnell, in the title role of Annie, joins this national tour directly from Off Broadway’s American Girls Revue. She made her professional stage debut two years ago in Miracle on 34th Street at the Westchester Broadway Theatre. Her regional credits include The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Annie Jr. Like Annie, Marissa is 12 and calls New York her home.

The original Broadway production of ANNIE won seven 1977 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Book, and Score. It ran for 2,377 performances and has subsequently been produced all over the world. The original production is one of the longest running shows in Broadway history, and ANNIE continues to be one of the most successful musicals ever.

In addition to Charnin, Meehan, Strouse and Lee, ANNIE’s creative team includes original Broadway musical staging by Peter Gennaro, choreography by Liza Gennaro, lighting design by Ken Billington, costume design by Theoni Aldridge, and sound design by Peter Hylenski. ANNIE is being presented by Executive Producer Ken Gentry.

ANNIE is the third and final show in the 2005/2006 Contemporary Classics Series at the Providence Performing Arts Center, sponsored by Metals Recycling LLC and supporting sponsor Cox Communications.

Performance times for ANNIE, playing May 30 – June 4, are as follows: Tuesday at 7P, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30P, Friday at 8P, Saturday at 2P & 8P, and Sunday at 1P & 6:30P.

Ticket prices for ANNIE range from $65 – $38 and are on sale now; all ticket prices include a $3.00 restoration charge. Tickets for all shows can be purchased at PPAC’s Box Office window, by calling (401) 421-ARTS, and online at ppacri.org. Discounted admission is available for groups of 20 or more; for more information, contact Paul Hiatt at (401) 421-2997 x 3162 or e-mail phiatt@ppacri.org. For more information on the 2005/2006 “Season of Theatrical Treasures” or the 2006/2007 “Wicked Good Season of Broadway Shows,” log onto ppacri.org. For more information about ANNIE, please visit www.annieontour.com.

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