Review: Annie at The Capitol Theatre

Review by Michelle Fisher

Opening nights of beloved musicals like Annie are always a bit of a thrill…will it live up to the expectations that nostalgia imposes? What is the new generation of talent going to be like? Will the show have aged well? Will the choreography still excite?

Last night, The Capitol Theatre played host to Opening Night of Annie and if I had to sum up the answers to those questions in two words, it would be YES and WOW. This production of Annie lives up to every expectation and then surpasses.

This is the third time that John Frost has mounted Annie in Australia, having previously produced the show in 2000 and 2012 and it was wonderful to see a whole new generation of young theatre goers together with parents and grandparents who, like me, had probably seen the previous iterations. This show is really one for the family and serves as a perfect introduction to the theatre for young people coming to enjoy this seemingly ageless story.

Stepping into the theatre on an opening night is always an exciting journey - the atmosphere is electric with anticipation, everyone is there to support and many in the audience are the friends, families and loved ones of Company members. At this opening, the audience was glitzed up in their finest ‘red’ features and from the first note of the overture, you could feel the keen engagement of the audience that evidently already knew and loved this music.

As an avid theatre goer and the proud mum of someone who has made theatre her whole life, it is always very exciting to see so many young ones in the audience. This is where love of the theatre starts – in productions like this. A few seats down from me there was a 3 ½ yr old who sat without moving staring at the stage in awe for the entire show (for me a wonderful trip down memory lane as I remembered my own daughter doing this at the age of 3). In other rows it looked as though there were entire dance classes there to support their friends on stage.

And this review needs to start with those friends!! Annie was played on opening night by Dakota Chanel and she was joined by a team of talented youngsters - Camille Nko’o, Cailin Scully, Matilda Teiotu, Skylah McMah, Ellie Lang, Chloe Delle-Vedove and Zoe Reeves are perhaps one of the most talented group of kids I have had the absolute joy of watching on stage. They were flawless- hitting every step and every note and making this more than just a show for kids but for everyone who delights in emerging talent. Many of their numbers were memorable but it was a ‘hard knock life’ that stood out as one of the highlights of the night. Not a beat missed with exciting choreography and a number that really tested them and they shone through it all. Clearly a crowd favourite, at the end of the production it was the cast of children who got the audience to their feet for a well deserved standing ovation.

Shows like this can often feel aged because of the production elements and/or choreography - they tend to be the two real tellers of time. To overcome this potential problem, this production has done away with the old choreography and instead, given the show a new lease on life with fresh dance numbers throughout. At the helm of this is choreographer Mitchell Woodcock who has done a truly extraordinary job. Sharing the spotlight of numbers of the night with the aforementioned ‘Hard Knock Life,’ ‘Easy Street’ performed by the very talented Debora Krizak, Keanu Gonzalez and Mackenzie Dunn is an absolute highlight.

Woodcock has clearly worked very closely with Director Karen Johnson Mortimer to make this production feel just as relevant in 2025 as it was 12 and 25 years ago, and even in 1978 when it was first performed in Australia. Kenneth Foy's set and Craig Wilkinson’s projection designs have done wonders to aid this, whilst still bringing those 1930’s New York City streets to life.

Aside from the children who individually are all stand out stars for me, Debora Krizak in her role as the conniving, awful , hard hearted yet somehow still likeable and funny Miss Hannigan definitely steals most of the laughs for the show. She is perfect in the role, alternating between downright mean and highly comical and Debora has the role nailed. From her impeccable comic timing to her flawless dance routines – Debora is probably one of my most favourite Miss Hannigan's ever and I have seen a few!!

Anthony Warlow brings a much loved and familiar Daddy Warbucks to the stage (he has played this role previously in both Australia and New York). His performance brings a nuanced and warm character to the stage. The billionaire who thinks he has everything until his personal assistant Grace played by Amanda Lea Lavergne picks Annie from the orphanage to spend Christmas with them. Warbucks ends up falling in love with the precocious little red-haired orphan and realises that all the money means nothing if he doesn’t have someone to love and share it with.

Both Warlow and Lavergne deliver beautiful vocals in a performance where I can honestly say that not a note was missed from anyone in the cast. This is an ensemble at its very best. Not only strong individually, most importantly, there is an overwhelming sense of teamwork in this show that means that no one is trying to steal the spotlight. The end result of this - everyone SHINES! It is such a pleasure and a thrill to watch Australian ensembles lead in the global industry and it is fantastic to see new faces of recent graduates on stage. Each ensemble member delivered outstanding vocals, flawless foot work and convincing characterization.

In our current world where things can look a little “grey and lonely” and where the concept of a billionaire being friends with and trying to influence the president are not so funny, this two and a half hours of uplifting entertainment is exactly what we need to clear away the “cobwebs and the sorrow.“ Summed up – thank you to the Cast and Crew of Annie for an evening of pure joy.