Leapin' Lizards! You'll Love Theatre Three's "Annie!"

Thanks to Jeffrey Sanzel and Sari Feldman, a dynamic directing duo, "Annie," the world's most beloved family-friendly musical, kicked off Theatre Three's 55th Mainstage season on a high note. This classic two-act musical, featuring music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan, has become a staple of professional and amateur theaters worldwide.

The endearing character known as Little Orphan Annie has captured the hearts of children of all ages for 140 years. James Whitcomb Riley, the beloved American poet, published a poem in 1885, originally entitled "The Elf-Child." This cautionary tale warned children of the dire consequences of disobeying their parents and was based on the real-life story of an orphan who lived with the Riley family. That well-known poem inspired Harold Gray's 1924 comic strip, "Little Orphan Annie," which in turn became the inspiration for the 1977 Broadway musical, "Annie," a seven-time Tony Award winner.

"Annie" tells the tale of a resilient, street-smart, eleven-year-old orphan living in a bleak Hudson Street Orphanage in New York City during the Great Depression. After being chosen to spend Christmas with the wealthy industrialist Oliver Warbucks, her life changes dramatically for the better, although there are a few bumps along the way.

This show is chock-full of timeless themes that offer healing and hope, such as the idea that goodness is rewarded, evil is punished, love is the true currency of life, tomorrow will be better, and the importance of paying it forward.

There are so many reasons to see Theatre Three's latest production, and Erin Risolo's award-worthy performance in the lead role, Annie, is definitely one of them. Risolo, waif-like and wonderful, opened the show with a pitch-perfect rendition of "Maybe," a wistful ballad in which Annie expresses a melancholic longing for her parents. With heartfelt conviction, Risolo masterfully delivers the musical's signature song, "Tomorrow," conveying its life-affirming message of hope, faith, and the promise of a brighter future. Emmie Rockwell, a delightful Wheaton Terrier mix, made her stage debut as Annie's dog and sidekick Sandy. Patti Rockwell, Emmie's mommy and trainer, also had brief onstage moments!

The multitalented children in the cast are another reason this show is a must-see, including Nora Andersen as July, Adriana Como as Duffy, Ava Day Lugo as Kate, Kathleen Arabelle Han as Tessie, Sadie Mathers as Molly (I loved her backflips across the stage), and Olive Oakes as Pepper. One of the show's highlights was "It's the Hard-Knock Life," a high-energy ensemble piece with mesmerizing dance moves and strong vocals.

Every time Julianne Greaves stepped on stage as Miss Hannigan, the snarky, sadistic, sloshed headmistress of the orphanage, she stole the show with her sultry dance moves and sinister antics. Although she is one of the musical's villains, she provides much of the show's comic relief. Greaves' powerhouse vocals, emotive facial expressions, gestures, and body language made "Little Girls" a dark comedic show tune, an unforgettable onstage moment!

Chris Dufrenoy aced the role of Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks, the self-assured, self-made, sometimes stern billionaire, who turns out to have a heart of gold, especially when it comes to Annie. Dufrenoy's expert delivery of his solo "Something Was Missing" was a high point in the production. The onstage chemistry between Warbucks and his loyal secretary, Grace Farrell, convincingly portrayed by Samantha Fierro, added some romantic sizzle to the show.

Tim Moriates was sensational as President Franklin D. Roosevelt, delivering a "New Deal" just in time for Christmas, and he commanded the stage as Lt. Ward, the police officer who returns Annie to the orphanage.

Will Logan, a natural-born physical comedian, delivered a standout performance as Rooster, Miss Hannigan's swarthy, slimy, scheming brother, and Heidi Jaye convincingly portrayed Rooster's money-hungry, ditzy girlfriend, Lily St. Regis.

According to Sanzel, Sari Feldman, the co-director and choreographer, "Is a veteran of the national tour and brought a wealth of knowledge and experience…" This show features many excellent dance numbers, but the jazzy "Easy Street," performed by Miss Hannigan (Greaves), Rooster (Logan), and Lily (Jaye), was a showstopper.

The stellar ensemble includes Sophie Carpenter, Jaden Chimelis, Sophia Del Carmen, Emilia Guzzetta, Jacob Lesko, Wesley Oakes, Ben Russman, Haley Saunders, Paul Schiller, Andrew Timmins, and Ryan Van Nostrand.

The production's creative team also deserves recognition for its outstanding behind-the-scenes work. Period costumes by Ronald Green III perfectly captured the 1930s era, while Randall Parsons' inventive set designs transported audiences to Depression-era New York. The live orchestra, conducted by Jeffrey Hoffman, brought exuberant energy to the musical numbers.

Toward the end of Act II, when the entire company belted out a heartfelt version of "Tomorrow," I tried to contain my tears as I looked over at my husband, wiping tears from his eyes. There is a certain theatrical magic about this show that penetrates through the layers of human hardness and strikes right to the heart. It is no wonder Saturday evening's performance received a long, thunderous standing ovation.

If you're feeling a little down and out, head to Theatre Three and receive a pure infusion of positive energy from this upbeat show. Trust me, it's good for what ails you! To purchase tickets, please call the box office at 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Connecticut and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of "Grant Me a Higher Love," "Why Good People Can't Leave Bad Relationships," and "Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic." Her full-length Music Drama, "Beethoven, The Man, The Myth, The Music," is published by Next Stage Press. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.