THEATER REVIEW:’Annie’ doesn’t look a day over 30

FOR THE RECORD

A theater review Friday, “ ‘Annie’ doesn’t look a day over 30,” should have said a two-for-one deal was available for tickets to the performance at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, not for the matinee show.

*****

Those sly satirists who created “Forbidden Broadway,” lampooning the musical theater, penned one number in which a worse-for-wear actress warbles, “I’m 30 years old / tomorrow / and I haven’t worked since I played ‘Annie’ / when I was 10.”

Well, guess what? “Annie” herself is now 30 — the musical, that is, not the redheaded, comic-strip moppet who inspired it; she’s been collecting Social Security for years. And to celebrate, the show is in the midst of an anniversary tour that touched down at the Orange County Performing Arts Center this week.

Directed by Martin Charnin, who wrote the show’s lyrics and directed the original Broadway production in 1977, this new, revitalized “Annie” is a winning mixture of high notes and hilarity. No matter how familiar you are with the stage version, or the Carol Burnett movie, you’ll find plenty to chuckle at here.

Broadway’s Daddy Warbucks, Conrad John Schuck (who added that first name somewhere in mid-career), headlines the touring show and lends his rich, robust voice to a commanding character. The bald-headed Schuck is the epitome of the comic-strip zillionaire, and he rules the stage with boom and bluster, tempered by his affection for the little girl plucked from an orphanage to spend the holidays in his mansion.

Annie herself, now in her second year with the current tour, is a splendid mixture of sweetness and sass conjured by Marissa O’Donnell, who’s on the cusp of outgrowing the part, but still melts playgoers’ hearts when she breaks into the show’s optimistic anthem, “Tomorrow.” A strong singing voice and airtight character combine to sell this appealing title role.

If any character in the theater invites — nay, demands — overstatement, it’s the boozy orphanage warden, Miss Hannigan. Here, Alene Robertson glowers and grimaces through the show with a vengeance — and a voice that suggests she gargles with gravel. Her “Little Girls” solo is a particularly crude comic coup.

What scenery remains unchewed after Robertson is through is thoroughly devoured by Scott Willis as her mercenary brother, Rooster, who cock-a-doodles his way through this shifty character with zest and pizazz, striking special sparks while headlining the showcase “Easy Street” number with a goofy Ashley Puckett Gonzales as his partner in crime.

The show is dotted with delightful supporting performances, notably those by Allan Baker as President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Christopher Vettel as the preening radio host Bert Healey, David Chernault as the head household staffer Drake and Harry Turpin as FDR’s cabinet member Harold Ickes, who enjoys his 15 seconds of fame. And a canine known only as Lola is terrific as Annie’s companion Sandy.

Legendary set designer Ming Cho Lee has fashioned the striking, huge scenic backdrops and the abbreviated orchestra, under the baton of Kelly Ann Lambert, registers some great accompaniment for only four pieces and three musicians.

This is an excellent “Annie” for a new generation of youngsters, and a nostalgic treat for the oldsters in the audience. There’s always “Tomorrow” with this property around — and if you don’t mind missing the Super Bowl, you can get a two-for-one deal on Sunday matinee tickets.

IF YOU GO“Annie”

WHAT:

WHERE: Orange County Performing Arts Center

WHEN: At 7 :30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays until Feb. 11.

COST: $25 to $70

CALL: (714) 556-2787