Julia Nicole Hunter as ‘Grace Farrell’, Christopher Swan as ‘Oliver Warbucks’ and Hazel Vogel as ‘Annie’ in the 2024-2025 National Tour of ANNIE. Photo by Matthew Murphy, MurphyMade
The National Tour of Annie delighted Baltimore audiences this week, offering a heartwarming reminder of the power of optimism and resilience. From the beautiful overture to the final curtain, the show transported the audience back to the Great Depression, capturing both the humor and heart of this tale as old as time. The iconic story of a little orphan who never gives up hope is as relevant and charming as ever, leaving smiles on faces and perhaps a tear or two in eyes.
At the center of the production is Towson native Hazel Vogel, who played the titular role with remarkable poise and charisma. Vogel’s Annie exudes confidence and warmth with a voice that soars during classics like “Tomorrow” and “Maybe.” Watching a local talent take the Hippodrome stage was an absolute treat for the hometown crowd, and Vogel more than earned the thunderous applause she received. Sharing the stage with such a talented ensemble of young actors, who navigated complex choreography and live-audience energy with ease, proved that talent has no age limit.
This timeless tale features familiar favorites such as “It’s a Hard Knock Life” and “Little Girls,” which showcased Stefanie Londino’s comedic ability and impeccable voice as Ms. Hannigan. Julia Nicole Hunter made me wish that Grace Farrel had more singing lines with a voice that effortlessly commanded the stage, and her chemistry with Daddy Warbucks and Annie grounded some of the show’s most tender moments. Special kudos go to the entire company for bringing the vibrant streets of 1930s New York to life, particularly during “NYC,” where the dazzling set and costumes had the audience so captivated that they thought it was the Act I finale. The attention to detail was stellar, and viewers may even chuckle at spotting a “newsie” in the ensemble.
Annie reminds us that hope and optimism can carry us through even the darkest times, a message that resonates just as strongly today as it did when the show premiered. Between Hazel Vogel’s star turn, the extraordinary professionalism of the young cast, and a production that felt both nostalgic and fresh, this Baltimore stop of the tour was a triumph. Don’t wait until “tomorrow” to buy your tickets!
Annie runs at the Hippodrome through January 12th. For more information, visit www.annietour.com.
FINAL GRADE: A
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