Sun comes out for 4 ‘Annie’ at Saenger

Allan Ray Baker was days away from visiting New Orleans for the 30th anniversary run of “Annie” when Hurricane Katrina powered her way across the city

Needless to say, plans changed.

That was 2005. Ten years later, the Seanger’s been refurbished and is grander that ever. So, too, is “Annie.”

The original creative team, including director Martin Charnin and choreographer Liza Gennaro, have returned and restored the family favorite to its original luster.

“We watched the events unfolding at an airport in Seattle,” Baker said in a phone interview. “We were waiting to get to our next gig and sat there watching very anxious.”

The cast raised money for those hardest hit by the storm throughout the rest of the tour.

Next week, the delightful musical starring the red head with a heart of gold returns as the sun shines brightly on the Saenger Theatre.

The show runs Tuesday, Feb. 3, through Sunday, Feb 8.

Born in the comics, “Annie” delivers a cast of memorable characters: Daddy Warbucks, the millionaire who takes the orphan in and sees his life change for the better because of it; the despicable Miss Hannigan, who runs the orphanage in which Annie lives; and Pepper, Duffy and the gang at the orphanage.

It’s songs are equally memorable – “Tomorrow,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” and “Easy Street” among them.

Baker is back as President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the same role he played in 2005.

“When I tried out, I thought they would use me as Bert Healy,” Baker said.

It would have seemingly been a natural fit. Baker is, after all, a longtime comedy writer, correspondent, photo-journalist and self-described barbecue aficionado.

He was shocked to learn he’d landed the job of the 32nd president of the United States.

“I love doing Roosevelt. It’s such a great role, an incredible responsibility and an honor,” the barbecue man said. “I take the role seriously.”

In preparation, he watched footage he’d taped on TV, studying FDR’s vocal nuances and movements.

“The music in this show is so beautiful and the songs are so iconic,” Baker said. “It’s a great thrill to play the venues we’ve played. This role and this show are what an actor aspires to when they set out to perform.”

Baker said his favorite moment comes as the cabinet is singing “Tomorrow.”

“There’s a big crescendo where there’s wonderful harmony,” he said. “The musical director came to me during rehearsals. He had me do the last note alone. I do a glorious flat note all by myself.”

The cabinet scene itself “is one of the great times I’ve ever had onstage.”

And the touring “Annie” is drawing a whole new generation of girls.

“It is a wonderful format for girls who see it,” Baker said. “And looking out at the audiences, we see grandmothers, too, who probably saw it when they were young. This show has been entertaining generations of people.”

A “cut-rate Charles Kuralt,” Baker put his life experiences in print in “Slightly Askew.” The self-published eBook is available for $9.99 on Amazon.

“One of my pride and joys is the 30 years of life traveling experiences I’ve enjoyed,” the author said.

The 30 chapters, packed with 300 photos, recounts work he performed covering six World Series, five Super Bowls, four Final 4s (including one in the Big Easy) and 15 championship fights, as well as sites and tales he encountered while writing for Route 66 Magazine.

“The thing about me is that I don’t just go to games,” Baker said. “It go with cars that break down and have smoke coming out of them. The book recounts my misadventures along the way. Believe me, they happen.”

Ironically, it was on a visit to New Orleans, during a stop at a voodoo shop that Baker shelled out a buck with the wish that his book would get published.

“Eventually, I had to do it myself, but the voodoo priestess wasn’t there that day,” he said.

“I can’t complain. I did get to see Eric Clapton that trip.”

Hurricane Katrina cancelled the Broadway tour of “Annie” in 2005. The iconic production of America’s favorite orphan stops at New Orleans’ Seanger Theatre next week. Allan Ray Baker, who plays the 32nd president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, is pictured with Annie (Issie Swickle), Oliver Warbucks (Gil-gamesh Taggett) and members of the cabinet belting out “Tomorrow.”

COURTESY | AMY KATZ