Music Theater Works Presents “Annie,” Dec. 18 – Jan. 4

Music Theater Works is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the fourth and final production of its 2025 season, Annie, in the George Van Dusen Theatre, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, December 18 – January 4, 2026. Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and book by Thomas Meehan, is directed by Producing Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan, choreographed by Mollyanne Nunn and music directed by Michael McBride. 

For more than a century, audiences around the world have been inspired by the story of Annie, the spunky, red-headed orphan whose unshakable optimism transforms everyone she meets, including billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks. Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Annie shines with some of the most beloved songs in musical theatre history, such as “Tomorrow,” “NYC” and “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.” In this fresh reimagining, a modern city finds new light through Annie’s hope and determination, reminding us that love, generosity and courage can change even the darkest of days … and that home is where the heart dares to hope. 

The cast of Annie includes, in alphabetical order, is Catharina Araujo (she/her, Tessie); Diana Marilyn Alvarez (she/they, ensemble/U/S); Eric Amundson (he/him, ensemble/Sound Effects Man/others); Audrey Bucholz (she/her, Molly); Kristin Brintnall (she/her, ensemble/Bonnie/others, U/S Lily St. Regis); Jenny Couch (she/her, ensemble/Ronnie/others/U/S Grace Farrell); Eric Desnoyers (he/him, ensemble/Henry Morgenthau/others/U/S); Molly Dibble (she/her, Duffy); Riley Dominiak (she/her, ensemble/Connie/others/U/S); Marianne Embree (she/her, ensemble/Mrs. Greer/others); Quinn Frances (she/her, youth ensemble/U/S Molly); David Geinosky (he/him, Rooster Hannigan); Eliza Monté Gilbert (they/them, ensemble/U/S); Desiree Gonzalez (she/her, Grace Farrell); Jimmy Hogan (he/him, ensemble/U/S); Emily Holland (she/her, Lily St. Regis); J’Nae Howard (she/her, ensemble/U/S); Brielle Horwitch (she/her, Pepper/U/S Annie); Rebecca Hutchinson (she/her, youth ensemble/U/S July); Albert Johnston (he/him, ensemble/U/S); Léa Juat (she/her, Kate); Kylie Kaplan (she/her, youth ensemble/U/S Kate); Charlotte Keefer (she/her, youth ensemble/U/S Pepper); Katie Kotila (she/her, ensemble/U/S); Larrah Lambo (she/her, July); Allison Rose Macknick (she/her, ensemble/Mrs. Pugh/U/S Miss Hannigan); Michael Metcalf (he/him, Oliver Warbucks); Jojo Nabwangu (she/her, youth ensemble/U/S Tessie); Asia Posey (she/her, ensemble/Star to Be/U/S); Callan Roberts (he/him, ensemble/Bundles/Bert/others/U/S Rooster Hannigan); Katie Romanski (she/her, youth ensemble/U/S Duffy); Peter Ruger (he/him, ensemble/Drake/others/U/S); Bob Sanders (he/him, ensemble/Franklin D. Roosevelt); Elin Joy Seiler (she/her, Annie); Sarah Smith (she/her, Miss Hannigan); Raymond Cam Truong (he/him, ensemble/U/S); Korey White (he/him, ensemble/Dog Catcher/others/U/S Oliver Warbucks) and Teddy (he/him, Sandy/owner: Jojo Nabwangu).

Annie’s orchestra includes Linda Madonia (she/her, piano); Alison Tatum (she/her, violin/concert master); Emily Fischer (she/her, violin); Annika Porter (she/her), viola); Lewis Rawlinson (he/him, cello); Cara Strauss (she/her, reed 1); Lara Regan (she/her, reed 2); Eva Butcher (she/her, reed 3); Greg Strauss (he/him, trumpet 1); Amy Nelson (she/her, trumpet 2); Stephanie Lebens (she/her, trombone 1); Luke Malewicz (he/him, tuba/trombone 2); Mike Locker (he/him, guitar); Eric von Holst (he/him, bass); Justin Kono (he/him, drums) and Tina Laughlin (she/her, percussion).

Annie’s creative team includes Kyle A. Dougan (any pronouns, director); Mollyanne Nunn (she/her, choreographer); Michael McBride (he/him, music director); Andrew Lund (they/him, assistant director); Amber Wuttke (she/her, intimacy & violence choreographer); Kathy Logelin (she/her, dialect coach); Erin McCarthy (historian and dramaturg); Alex Villaseñor (he/him, youth advocate); Rachel Rock (she/her, stage manager); Carolyn Goldsmith (she/her, assistant stage manager); Jacqueline Penrod (she/her, co-scenic designer); Richard Penrod (he/him, co-scenic designer); Nga Sze Chan (she/her, props designer); Rachel M. Sypniewski (she/her, costume designer); Kristen Brinati (she/her, wardrobe head); Alice Salazar (she/her, hair, wig and makeup co-designer); Melanie Saso (she/her, hair, wig and makeup co-designer); Chelsea Lynn (she/her, master electrician and board programmer); Anthony Churchill (he/him, media designer); Stephanie Farina (she/her, sound designer); Forrest Gregor (he/him, production sound engineer); Will Hughes (he/him, Andersonville Scenic Studios); Ben Lipinski (any pronouns, Andersonville Scenic Studios); Chris Chase (he/him, production manager) and Katie Meine (she/her, company manager). 

Tickets are now on sale from $19.50 to $106 with tickets for guests 25 years old and younger available at half-price at MusicTheaterWorks.com or by calling the Music Theater Works box office at the North Shore Center, 847.673.6300. Group discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more by contacting 847.920.5360.