By GREGGY V. VERA CRUZ
After the first successful staging in the country last 1980, Annie rekindles its love affair with Filipino audiences while charming new generations with its inspirational story about a charismatic orphan’s optimistic outlook in life against all odds.
The classic Strouse-Charnin musical Annie recently closed its gala night performance to a standing ovation by a very receptive and accommodating theater crowd.
Playing the role of Annie in this recent staging are Krystal Brimmer, Metro Manila Film Festival 2015 Best Child Actress awardee for her role in the indie film Honor Thy Father, and Isabeli Araneta Elizalde, a newbie who hails from one of the entertainment industry’s more prominent families. Krystal and Isabeli bested hundreds of other hopefuls who auditioned for the role.
Starring in the main roles are award-winning actor Michael de Mesa, who plays the wealthy Oliver “Daddy†Warbucks, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Ms. Agatha Hannigan and Jill Pena as secretary Grace Farrell, among others.
“On a broad perspective, the challenge is how do we take Annie’s story and make it relevant to today’s audiences,†says director Michael Stuart Williams, who is also the creative director of RWM’s production outfit Full House Theater Company. “There is something quite universal about it, which is why Annie is fast becoming a modern day classic.â€
With the warm and positive reaction for Annie, RWM’s commitment to revive Philippine theater is on tract as it continues to champion the Filipino talent.
Annie is staged every Friday, Saturdayand Sunday (until Dec. 4, 2016). Tickets are available at the RWM Box Office and at Ticketworld outlets. For details, log onto www.rwmanila.com. Â
 
