Playhouse Merced is bringing the irrepressible comic strip heroine to the stage with their production of “Annie.”
Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, “Annie” has become a worldwide phenomenon, and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, features some of the most iconic musical theater songs including “Tomorrow” and “It’s a Hard-Knock Life.”
 The show at Playhouse Merced opens Nov. 16 and will continue through Dec. 9. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.
Abby Samuelson of Merced, and Zoe Freitas Scott of Modesto are sharing the title role of “Annie,” with Farris Larsen as Miss. Hannigan and Jesse Stofle as Daddy Warbucks. The show is co-directed by Playhouse Merced Interim Artistic Director Corey Strauss, and Playhouse Merced Young Artist Conservatory Alumna Madison Mitchell, with Music Direction by Tammy Borges, and costumes by Cindy Strauss. The show is sponsored by Dr. Vikram and Priya Lakireddy Family.
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Annie finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
 Tickets are $15 to $22, with $10 tickets available through the Box Office for anyone under 18 years old. Tickets and information are available at the Playhouse Merced box office at 452 W. Main St or by calling 209.725.8587, or by going to playhousemerced.com.