PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The heartwarming and hopeful musical "Annie" is on stage at the Miller Theater in Center City this weekend.
The role has been a dream come true for 12-year-old Ellie Pulsifer. She did the show several times before, but this is her first time as the lead, and her first tour.
"Annie is such an iconic role and I'm just so honored that I get to give my version of this role to the world and get to show it to people all across America," Pulsifer said.
It's a big moment for her, and she connected it to a big moment for her character, a Depression-era orphan who gets taken in by a kindly billionaire.
"Annie is just such a fighter and she's so optimistic and she's just been battling her whole life for a better life," said Pulsifer.
"I feel like in theater, it's the same way. You'll go through a million 'no's until you get your first 'yes.' And I feel like when Miss Grace Farrell comes in and picks up Annie, that's her 'yes.' And this is kind of my big 'yes.'"
Director Jenn Thompson echoed that, saying "Annie" is about "joyfully singing directly into the face of great adversity."
Related
And Pulsifer said she's having a great time on tour getting to know the cast — both human and canine.
"It's just been so much fun because they are all so talented. And the dogs are just so sweet. And when I'm not on stage, I get to hang out with them when I'm not busy."
There are three different dogs that play Annie's dog, Sandy: Addison, Sunny, and Georgie.
Interestingly, the role of Annie has been most closely identified with two area actresses: Philly native Andrea McArdle, who originated the part on Broadway in 1977, and Yardley native Aileen Quinn, who starred in the 1982 feature film adaptation.
This is the final weekend for the family-favorite show in Philadelphia, where it's being co-presented by the Kimmel Cultural Campus and the Shubert Organization.