After a nine month, coast-to-coast search that had over 5,000 auditions, the new Broadway production of Annie has found it’s Annie.
Eleven-year-old Lilla Crawford will play the title role in the musical that will open in fall 2012 at a Nederlander theatre to be announced.
“Oh, my gosh, it happened! My heart just stopped,” said Crawford, when she heard the news. “I thought it would be so cool just to be a part of Annie, but to actually be playing Annie is a dream come true!”
Crawford made her Broadway debut in 2011, playing Debbie in the closing cast of Billy Elliot on Broadway. She was featured in a workshop production of Craig Wright’s Melissa Arctic. She has also performed in 14 shows with YADA (Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts) in her native Los Angeles.
“We fell in love with Lilla from the moment we saw her,” producer Arielle Tepper Madover said. “When she is in the room you can’t take your eyes off her. She has a gorgeous voice, is a terrific actress, wonderful dancer and a sweet girl. She is everything that we could have ever hoped for in an Annie. We are so happy to have met her and think everyone will fall in love with her the way we did.”
The production will be directed by three-time Tony Award® winner James Lapine and choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler.
