Harry Connick, Jr. will play Daddy Warbucks on NBC’s Annie Live !, inspired by the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical of the same name.
Harry Connick Jr. has been cast in the pivotal role of Daddy Warbucks in the NBC adaptation of the Broadway musical. Annie, titled Annie Live! This production comes on the heels of other successful live adaptations of stage shows for the network, including The sound of the music, Peter Pan, The magician, Hair spray, Y Jesus Christ Superstar. Annie tells the story of a brave young orphan who is brought to the home of a wealthy and eccentric man to help with her image, much to the chagrin of the orphanage owner, Miss Hannigan, who does not want the girl to be adopted. .
Connick has now been cast as the billionaire, Sir Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, who adopted the girl to enhance his image and, in the end, realized the joy that Annie brought into his otherwise shallow life. In 1977, Reid Shelton originated the role in the Broadway musical. Connick will now join the roster of actors to play the role, which includes Albert Finney in 1982 and Jamie Foxx in 2014. He recently issued a statement, reported by Term, regarding his participation in the musical. Read Connick’s statement below:
I am delighted to have the opportunity to play Daddy Warbucks on ‘Annie Live!’ and working alongside Taraji P. Henson is a dream come true. I love this show, and its musical message of love and hope couldn’t come at a better time.
Connick will be joined by Taraji P. Henson, who will play Miss Hannigan, as the adult presenters of the musical. The production, which features iconic tracks like “Tomorrow” and “It’s A Hard Knock Life,” has been a favorite with Broadway patrons for years. Connick will be able to show off his vocal expertise alongside the show’s child lead in a duet of “I Don’t Need Anything But You.”
A nationwide casting search is still underway to find a young actress for the lead role. Rehearsals will begin in New York sometime in October. The executive producers of Annie Live! They are Robert Greenblatt, Neil Meron and Alex Rudzinsky. Lear deBessonet and Alex Rudzinski will direct. The live production of the musical will air on Thursday, December 2 on NBC.
Source: Deadline
Reference-screenrant.com
