Harry Connick Jr. Cast in NBC’s Annie Live Musical
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Taraji P. Henson is heading on down to Easy Street. The Golden Globe Award-winning actress will play Miss Hannigan in NBC's star-studded, televised holiday production of the musical, Annie, dubbed Annie Live!
Annie Live! continues the network's tradition of airing live musicals around the holidays. Previous iterations have included The Sound of Music Live! and Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert. Though Henson and Harry Connick Jr. have already been cast, the network is still searching for the musical's titular star.
Below, find everything we know about Annie Live!
Harry Connick Jr. was just cast as Daddy Warbucks.
The multi-Emmy and Grammy-winner and Tony nominee will take on the beloved role of billionaire Sir Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, who opens his heart and home to little orphan Annie. In the 1982 musical film, the character was played by Albert Finney, who famously shaved his head bald for the role. Though it's unclear whether Connick Jr. will take that plunge, he is looking forward to joining the musical.
"I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to play Daddy Warbucks in ‘Annie Live!’ and working alongside Taraji P. Henson is a dream come true,” Connick said in a statement. "I love this show, and its musical message of love and hope couldn’t come at a better time."
The team behind-the-scenes is excited for Connick Jr.'s role. "We are thrilled to have Harry Connick Jr. playing Daddy Warbucks," noted executive producer Robert Greenblatt. "He’s a true entertainer who sings—and dances—with the best of them, and he will bring a completely fresh approach to this character. And he will give Taraji P. Henson’s Miss Hannigan a run for her money for Annie!"
Taraji P. Henson will play Miss Hannigan.
In the Tony Award-winning musical, Miss Hannigan runs the orphanage where the lead character, Annie, lives. However, Hannigan hates all children—Annie, especially. She sings a number of songs, like "Little Girls" ("Some women are dripping with diamonds / Some women are dripping with pearls/ Lucky me, lucky me /Look at what I'm dripping with—little girls!") and "Easy Street." Carol Burnett played Miss Hannigan in the original 1982 film adaptation, while Cameron Diaz took on the role in a more recent, 2014 movie.
“Carol Burnett, who brought Miss Hannigan to life in the classic 1982 movie, is someone I have studied and idolized as far back as I can remember,” Henson said, per Variety. “So when the opportunity came to me to join NBC and this incredible group of producers, I jumped! Carol, I hope to do you proud!”
Henson is best known for her role on Fox's musical drama, Empire, which garnered her a Golden Globe, SAG Award, and Critic’s Choice Award. She also received an Oscar nomination for her role alongside Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett in 2008's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Henson won another SAG award for starring as Katherine Johnson in the critically-acclaimed film, Hidden Figures.
“When we decided to bring back NBC’s holiday musical tradition, we were looking for something that was critically acclaimed and universally beloved—and while that’s definitely the case with Annie, it absolutely applies to Taraji as well,” said Susan Rovner, Chairman of Entertainment Content at NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, per Deadline. “Watching her take on this iconic role will be a thrill that has all the makings of must-watch television.”
The live musical is set to premiere December 2.
Annie Live! will premiere around the holidays, as per tradition. The musical is set to air on Thursday, December 2, 2021.
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