A new 'Tomorrow': Korean 'Annie' production unveils dynamic choreography for classic musical

Girls in ragged tunics perform cartwheels, do handstands and stomp their way through the Korean dance-heavy production of "Annie," set to open on Oct. 1.

The cast of "Annie" perform "It's The Hard Knock Life" for the press in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Monday. [YONHAP]

Girls in ragged tunics perform cartwheels, do handstands and stomp their way through the Korean dance-heavy production of "Annie," set to open on Oct. 1.

“The songs in 'Annie' are high and aren't easy, but the new choreography is the most difficult part of practice because it is very active with flips and dance breaks. But it is also the part that I enjoy the most, and I can’t wait to actually perform it,” Choi Eun-yeong, cast as the titular Annie, told the press in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Monday.

Two alternating Annies, Kwak Bo-kyeong, left, and Choi Eun-yeong, sing "Tomorrow" for the press in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Monday. [YONHAP]

“It’s a classic piece of theater, and while it retains that timeless character, we’ve rebooted it with upgraded choreography and extra acrobatics,” first-time director and choreographer of the production Shin Seon-ho said.

The musical “Annie” is based on the 1924 daily newspaper comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” by Harold Gray. It follows the namesake character, who is an orphan at a Manhattan foster home, in her search for her birth parents. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1977 with the book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. It has been staged in over 30 countries and made into movies in 1982 and 2014.

The cast of "Annie" perform "It's The Hard Knock Life" for the press in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Monday. [YONHAP]

Two alternating Annies, Choi and Kwak Bo-kyeong, were reportedly cast out of 273 child actors who auditioned for the role.

Choi, 11, has starred in a handful of musicals and plays, including the Korean productions of “Matilda,” where she played the lead, and "Billy Elliott," where she played supporting character Alison Summers. Kwak, 11, is making her musical debut with “Annie.”

Kwak Bo-kyeong cast as Annie, speaks to the press about musical "Annie" in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Monday. [YONHAP]

“It was a little awkward between us at first, but we became close quickly, and now, we are best friends!” said Kwak.

An element of the Annie character that the two actors had to step into was her being an orphan.

“It was something that I found really hard to imagine,” said Kwak. “Not having my parents is something that I never had to think about, so it was new,” added Choi. “But Annie never loses hope and that has been central to our practices.”

Choi Eun-yeong, cast as Annie, greets the press ahead of discussing musical "Annie" in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Monday. [YONHAP]

Eighteen other child actors between the ages 7 and 11 have been cast in the ensemble of “Annie.” Ten appear each night.

A role in "Annie" is often considered a gateway to the professional acting industry and stardom for young, aspiring actors. An example is Hollywood star Sarah Jessica Parker, best known as Carrie Bradshaw in the 1998 television series “Sex and the City,” who was cast as an orphan and then the lead Annie during the show’s run in the late 1970s and early 80s.

Both Choi and Kwak said that they strive to be musical actors when they grow up, pinning other veteran cast members in the musical as their role models.

Billionaire Oliver Warbucks, who adopts Annie, is played by Nam Kyung-joo and Song Il-kook.

Nam Kyung-joo, cast as Warbucks, speaks to the press [YONHAP]

Nam, an industry veteran, starred in Korea’s 1985-86 production of “Annie” as part of the ensemble. “It’s great to be back in the show as Warbucks,” he said.

“It is an honor to be working with Nam Kyung-joo,” said Song. “It is also a joy to be working with 20 young female talents. I’ve always wanted a daughter because, instead, I have been blessed with three sons, as many of you know.”

Song is the father of the famous Dae-han, Min-guk and Man-se brothers, who all appeared on the family reality show “The Return of Superman” in the early 2010s.

Song Il-kook, cast as Warbucks, speaks to the press [YONHAP]

The show’s antagonist, Miss Hannigan, is played by Shin Young-sook and Kim Ji-sun.

The upcoming production of “Annie” is the first show to be produced under Richard Lee of YNK Holdings, sitting as the executive producer of the musical.

“Even though this is my first time producing a musical, I feel confident because of such a talented cast, especially the child actors,” he said. “Their outstanding performances paired with the touching drama, I think, makes for a must-see show for everyone.”

“Annie” runs at Universal Arts Center in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, through Oct. 27. Online tickets open on Tuesday.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]