Annie Part I

I have costumed big shows, little shows, parts of shows, and mid-size shows. For the 4th summer in a row, I costumed Hawthorne Players big summer musical. So far, I've done Oklahoma, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Producers and Annie. They all have had their particular challenges, and they were all fun to do! Of course, the whole month of June and July is filled with fabrics, trims, thrift store finds, and every day had a plan to further along the gathering and building of costumes for the many characters.

This past summer's show, Annie, was different in its approach, because half the cast was dressed in rags, and the other half lived in a BILLIONAIRE'S mansion! The contrast was the big thing in this show. Here is Annie's journey from orphan to adopted daughter of one of the richest men in the world!

Here's the story as it was told on stage----

Annie runs away from the orphanage to find her parents. The local NYC officer wants to take the dog to the pound, but Annie convinces him that it is her dog, Sandy. Annie is dressed in her thin, raggy orphan clothes. Lt. Ward's officer's outfit was built from a man's double breasted suit, resplendent with $25 of gold buttons! Director distinctly wanted Lt. Ward's outfit to look authentic to the '30s. This is as close as I could come to authentic!

Grace, Oliver Warbucks' secretary, goes to the orhpanage to find an orphan for Oliver Warbucks to lavish his generosity on for Christmas. She picks Annie, who gives Miss Hannigan, the orphanage overseer, lots of trouble!
As Annie enters Warbucks' mansion for the first time, she reluctantly gives up the first coat she has ever owned, which reveals this cute little number. It is tan and grey plaid, with grey trim and a white sweater. Grace, Warbucks' secretary is wearing her Simplicity vintage pattern suit in this scene.
Annie appears on the "Hour of Smiles" radio show, hosted by Bert Healy. She sings "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile", and asks if her parents are listening, they should contact Oliver Warbucks.

Rooster and Lily plan to pretend to be Annie's parents, and convince Miss Hannigan to help them in their plot to try to get Annie, and of course, the reward for finding her!