“Annie” Scene 2: A Downtrodden Neighborhood Street

Scene 1: The New York City Orphanage Dogcatcher: You seen any stray dogs around here?

Narrator 1: The time is 1933. Annie: No, sir.

Narrator 2: We’re smack dab in the middle of the Great Depression in Dogcatcher: Good. Then they must be runnin’ wild a few streets over.
the city of New York. Get inside before you catch a cold!

Narrator 3: It is 4 A.M. at the New York City Orphanage. Annie: Oh, I’m alright sir. The cold doesn’t bother me.

(Annie has a flashlight and is trying to run away from the orphanage) (The Dogcatcher exits stage LEFT; Annie notices a dog OFFSTAGE
RIGHT)
Orphans: Annie, what are you doing?
Annie: Hey, there’s one they didn’t get.
Annie: Running away.
(Annie gets down on her hands and knees and signals for the dog to
Orphans: Annie, you’re crazy. Miss Hannigan will catch you. come to her; Sandy, crawling, enters from stage right and crosses to
Annie. Annie reaches into her pocket to find a bit of food to share)
Annie: I don’t care. I’m getting outta here. I gotta find my parents!
Pepper, take care of Molly for me. Annie: They’re after you, aren’t they? Well, they’re after me too. But
don’t worry, I’m not gonna let them get you or me. Everything’s
(Miss Hannigan enters and catches Annie) gonna be fine. For both of us. You’ll see.

Miss Hannigan: Aha! Caught you! (walks into bedroom & blows Tomorrow
whistle) Everybody up! Annie here was trying to run away again. As a
little “welcome home” present everyone gets to clean! Lieutenant Ward: Hey you! Little girl. Come here.

Orphans: But it’s the middle of the night! Annie: Yes, Officer?

Miss Hannigan: I don’t care! Get busy! Make this dump shine like the Lieutenant Ward: You must be that missing orphan they’re talking
top of the Chrysler Building! about at the station. Let’s go little lady.

It’s the Hard-Knock Life (Ward takes Annie by the arm and leads her offstage. As they exit,
Annie motions for Sandy to follow along.)
Narrator 1: While everyone at the orphanage was busy cleaning, Annie
escaped into the streets of New York. Narrator 2: Lieutenant Ward took Annie back to the orphanage.
Scene 3: Back at the orphanage
Narrator 1: But Grace insisted that Annie be the chosen orphan.
Narrator 3: That afternoon, while Miss Hannigan was trying to decide
how to punish Annie, the orphanage received an unusual visitor… Narrator 2: And Annie was off to the Warbucks mansion!

(Grace Farrell enters, carrying a briefcase) (Grace and Annie enter through the door. Annie is wearing a new hat
and a new coat.)
Grace: Good afternoon. I’m looking for a Miss Hannigan?
Drake: Good afternoon, Miss Farrell.
Miss Hannigan: Yes? I’m Miss Hannigan. Who are you?
Grace: Good afternoon, Drake.
Grace: I’m Grace Farrell, private secretary to Oliver Warbucks.
Drake: May I take your coats?
(Grace sits in the office chair, stage left of the desk)
Annie: (clutching hers, suddenly afraid) Will I get it back?
Miss Hannigan: Oliver Warbucks the millionaire?
Grace: (puzzled) Of course, Annie. Anytime you want it. (Annie &
Grace: No, Oliver Warbucks the billionaire. Mr. Warbucks has Grace give Drake their coats) (To everyone) Everyone, this is Annie
decided to invite an orphan to spend the Christmas holidays at his and her dog, Sandy. (To Annie) Annie, this is everyone!
home.
Annie: Hi, everyone!
Miss Hannigan: What sort of orphan did he have in mind? I can be
ready in five minutes. Grace: Now, what do you want to do first?

Grace: I think Mr. Warbucks had a child in mind. (notices Annie Annie: (looking around and thinking for a moment) Mmmm, the
behind Miss Hannigan waving) Let’s see….she should be friendly. floors. I’ll scrub them first; then I’ll start on the windows.

(Annie waves to Grace) Drake: Annie, you won’t have to do any cleaning. You’re our guest!

Grace: And cheerful. Grace: And, for the next two weeks, you’re going to have a swell time.
Now, let me explain how it works:
(Annie laughs & Miss Hannigan notices her. She tries to keep Annie
hidden behind her back) I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here

Grace: And oh, I almost forgot: Mr. Warbucks prefers redheaded

children.

Miss Hannigan: (trying to cover Annie’s hair and push her out of the
way) A cheerful redhead? Sorry, we don’t have any orphans like that.
Scene 4: The Warbucks Mansion (continued) Scene 5: The Streets of New York City

Warbucks: (from offstage right) Where is everybody? (Oliver N.Y.C.

Warbucks enters with his chauffer. Warbucks is carrying a briefcase
and the chauffer is carrying two suitcases.) Ah, there you are. Hello, (All freeze on stage. One by one the 3 Narrators step forward)
everybody.
Narrator 1: This was the beginning of many adventures for Little
Servants: Good evening Mr. Warbucks. Orphan Annie.

Warbucks: Drake, dismiss the staff. Everyone has worked hard getting Narrator 2: The nation may have been depressed that Christmas of
ready for Annie to visit. Grace and I can handle things from here. 1933…

Drake: Yes, sir. (bows slightly & motions for servants to leave) Narrator 3: …but Annie gave everyone she met, rich or poor, the gift
of hope and goodwill.
(The servants, not including Grace, exit; Warbucks turns to speak to
Grace.) (At this time, the servants will put on coat/jackets to look like (Everyone unfreezes)
New Yorkers)
You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile
Warbucks: Well, Annie, I guess we ought to do something special on
your first night. (Has an idea.) Would you like to go to a movie? Curtain call/Bows

Annie: Gosh, Mr. Warbucks, I’ve never been to one.

Warbucks: (Calls offstage left) Drake!

Drake: (from offstage left) Yes, sir?

Warbucks: Get our coats. We’re going to the movies!

Annie: Leapin’ lizards!

Drake: (Enters with three coats) Which car will you be wanting, sir?

Warbucks: Annie’s been cooped up in an orphanage. We’ll walk.

(Drake helps Warbucks into his coat)

Narrator 2: Oliver Warbucks and Grace showed Annie a part of New

York she’d never known before.