Lynn Andrews was born to play the role of Miss Hannigan.
“It’s one of the most iconic roles and I’m happy to be playing her,” explained Andrews who hails from Denver. I’m completely different than the character. I could never be that mean or hateful.”
For Andrews, the musical “Annie” always existed.
“I remember my sisters and I complaining about cleaning the house and I remember us listening to the songs. It was always there, I didn’t know that someone had to write it,” said Andrews who hails from Denver.
So when she got the opportunity to play the mean and hateful Miss Hannigan for the 37th revival of the musical, “Annie.” She seized it.
“This is my favorite role. I’d play it for the rest of my life,” said Andrews who estimates that she has performed in more than 800 performances of the show. “I’m not tired of it.
There are so many great moments. It permeates your consciousness. People leave the theater singing the songs. This is a family musical about finding love between a father and a daughter and a child and its pet.”
Set in 1933 New York, “Annie” tells the heartwarming story of 11-year-old orphan Annie and how she finds the family she so desperately yearns for with billionaire Oliver Warbucks. It is based on the comic strip “Little Orphan Annie.” The original musical opened in 1977 and ran for six years. The musical was turned into a successful television movie in 1982.
Andrews is following in the steps of fellow actress Nell Carter who portrayed Miss Hannigan in the 20th anniversary of “Annie” on Broadway from 1996-1997.
But Andrews clearly made the role her own.
Her New York accent made you think she was a native and her renditions of “Little Girls” and “Easy Street” showcased her vocal prowess.
“Being on stage singing and acting is the most instantly gratifying job you could have,” said Andrews who will play the role through August of 2015. “When people are laughing while I’m playing Miss Hannigan I know I’m doing it right.”
“Annie” played the Benedum Center from October 28-November 2 as part of the PNC Broadway Across America series. This year’s productions are family-friendly reincarnations of timeless shows that represent the best of Broadway in Pittsburgh.
Andrews said “Annie” will tour Boston, Washington D. C, Philadelphia and her hometown of Denver in the coming months. She is excited that her sisters and nephew will get to see her perform.
“We’ll have to explain to my nephew why Auntie Lynn is being so mean,” she said with a laugh.
“Annie” will be seen by a whole new generation when a movie with an all-Black cast will be released later this year. The role of Annie will be played by “Beasts of the Southern Wild” star, Quvenzhane Wallis.
“All ‘Annie’s’ are supportive of other ‘Annie’s,’ the movie is taking it to a different time and place but the story is still the same. Being a Black girl going to the movies and seeing that can only show Black girls that they can do anything they want. It’s the right time and this is the right actress.”
(For more information on Lynn Andrews check out lynn-andrews.squarespace.com.)
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