Behind the Scenes with the Little Orphans of "Annie"
June 25, 2013

Andy Blankenbuehler working with Annie's Emily Rosenfeld and Georgi James Andy Blankenbuehler working with Annie’s Emily Rosenfeld and Georgi James

Some of the year’s biggest Broadway hits, from Matilda to A Christmas Story, are powered by pint-sized stars. This Friday, PBS debuts a documentary featuring the feisty, pre-teen cast of Annie.

“ANNIE: It’s the Hard-Knock Life, From Script to Stage” focuses on the details of prepping a single musical number—”Hard-Knock Life”—for performance, starting with casting and continuing through costuming, set designs, choreography, rehearsal and finally opening night.

Annie choreographer and Tony nominee Andy Blankenbuehler makes an appearance, helping the girls get into scrappy, rebellious character. The documentary’s title song rings true, he says, to every underdog who has ever felt pushed down, himself included. “I’ve had that song in my head my whole life,” he jokes.

Watch this preview of ecstatic child actors accepting their first big roles, then check your local listings for air times!

Watch Casting “Annie” Orphans on PBS. See more from ANNIE: It’s the Hard-Knock Life, From Script to Stage.

Photo courtesy of WNET

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