Hope, humor, and heart light up the stage.
A Joyous and Heartfelt Kick-Off to the Holiday Season
Berkeley Playhouse opens its holiday season with a bright and beautifully staged production that reminds us why this story continues to resonate across generations. Directed and choreographed by Megan McGrath, the show balances heart, humor, and a professional polish that brings Broadway energy to the Julia Morgan stage.
Story Line
Annie, Daddy Warbucks, Miss Hannigan, and Sandy the dog star in this heartwarming holiday production.
Set in Depression-era New York, the musical follows Annie, an irrepressible orphan who refuses to give up hope of finding her parents. Her optimism catches the attention of billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, whose generosity transforms not only Annie’s life but his own. Filled with classic songs — “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” and the timeless “Tomorrow” — Annie celebrates courage, love, and belonging.
On Stage
The Annie I saw, Emma Jilizian, delivered a standout performance — confident, natural, and filled with charm. She commands the stage with an ease that makes you forget her age. The role is shared with Cara Impallomeni, another talented young performer alternating as Annie on select nights, continuing Berkeley Playhouse’s long tradition of nurturing exceptional youth talent.
Brendan Simon gives Warbucks both authority and warmth, Melinda Meeng adds grace and poise as his secretary Grace Farrell, and Sarah Bylsma steals every scene as Miss Hannigan — delightfully over-the-top but never cartoonish. The production bursts with charm, laughter, and the timeless message that courage and kindness can change lives.
The musical direction by Daniel Alley and choreography by Hannah Martinez-Crow give the show a professional rhythm and energy. Set design, lighting, and costumes evoke the period beautifully, shifting from the shadowy orphanage to the gleam of Warbucks’s mansion with cinematic ease.
Cast Highlights
Photo Credit: Berkeley Playhouse
This is a large and impressive company. Liam Cody and Maia Campbell bring humor and flair to Rooster and Lily, while Adam Saville adds warmth as President Roosevelt. The ensemble works together with precision and joy, and the alternating youth casts perform with remarkable confidence.
Add in Mac and Penny, the two well-trained dogs alternating as Sandy, and you have a cast of 38 performers — 36 actors and two four-legged scene-stealers.
I went in expecting a cute, good-hearted show — and was completely surprised by the professional quality of the performances and production. The precision of the choreography, the clarity of the vocals, and the level of ensemble discipline are all exceptional. With nearly 40 performers on stage, there are a lot of moving parts here — and it all works!
Berkeley Playhouse consistently brings heart, talent, and high production standards to its stage — and this Annie is a perfect example.
Themes & Takeaway
Beyond the laughs and music, this Annie shines because it feels genuine. It’s about optimism, kindness, and the belief that family can be found in unexpected places. The story may be set in the 1930s, but its message — that hope endures — feels especially welcome now.
Annie reminds us that even in hard times, love and optimism can light the way.
Audiences of all ages will leave the theater smiling, humming “Tomorrow,” and maybe feeling just a little lighter.
Musical Highlights
The show runs two and a half hours with intermission and moves quickly from start to finish. Familiar songs like “Maybe,” “Easy Street,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” and “A New Deal for Christmas” are performed with freshness and style. The orchestra, under Daniel Alley’s direction, gives the score warmth and momentum without overpowering the singers.
Full Song List
▼ click to see
ACT I
Overture — Orchestra
Maybe — Annie, Orphans
Hard Knock Life — Annie, Orphans
Hard Knock Life (Reprise) — Orphans
Tomorrow — Annie
Hooverville — Ensemble
Little Girls — Miss Hannigan
Little Girls (Reprise) — Miss Hannigan
I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here — Grace, Annie, Ensemble
N.Y.C. — Warbucks, Grace, Annie, Star-to-Be, Ensemble
Easy Street — Rooster, Miss Hannigan, Lily
Why Should I Change a Thing? — Warbucks
You Won’t Be an Orphan for Long — Grace, Warbucks, Ensemble
Maybe (Reprise) — Annie
ACT II
Entr’acte — Annie, Orchestra
You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile — Bert Healy, Boylan Sisters
You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile (Reprise) — Orphans
Easy Street (Reprise) — Rooster, Miss Hannigan, Lily
Tomorrow (Cabinet Reprise) — Annie, Roosevelt, Warbucks, Cabinet
Something Was Missing — Warbucks
I Don’t Need Anything But You — Warbucks, Annie, Ensemble
Same Effect on Everyone — Annie
A New Deal for Christmas — Company
Bows — Company
Performances
November 7 – December 21, 2025
Fridays – Sundays + select weekday evenings
Berkeley Playhouse
Julia Morgan Theater
2640 College Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704
Tickets
$29 (previews) • $19 – $55 (regular) + $3.95 vendor fee per ticket
Group rates available for 10 or more people.
Prices subject to change without notice.
Purchase
(510) 845-8542 ext. 351
www.berkeleyplayhouse.org
An outstanding production that blends heart, humor, and Broadway-level professionalism — a treat for all ages.
Each review is created through my proprietary FocusLens℠ method—an original editorial process shaped by firsthand experience, critical insight, and structured narrative design. Original photography, graphics, director quotes, and animated elements are incorporated to enhance reader engagement and visual impact. State-of-the-art scaffolding systems support organization and phrasing, but every sentence and decision reflects my own voice and judgment. These are not AI-generated reviews—they are authored, shaped, and published by me.
