SNAPSHOT REVIEW: 'Annie Warbucks'
THEATER: Flower Mound's 'Annie Warbucks' is rich
08:36 AM CST on Monday, October 31, 2005

THE SHOW: Annie Warbucks, Saturday at Flower Mound Performing Arts Theatre

MORE, PLEASE: It's surprising that this sequel to one of the most popular musicals ever has never made it closer to Dallas than Flower Mound, and only now at that. It's loads of fun in its comic-strip way, mixing political satire in with the cute kids. Charles Strouse's score is more sophisticated than the one he wrote for the original, if not as catchy.

WORTH THE TRIP: At least Flower Mound Performing Arts Theatre does the show justice, squeezing 28 performers onto the tiny stage. The sets are full of tricks, and the costumes waft Depression-era chic. In his first local directing job, Jim Lindsay has made the right hires and kept his people on their toes. Mark Mullino (in most shows offstage leading the band) makes the most winning Daddy Warbucks in memory, although it's surprising that such a trained musician wobbles off-key occasionally.

BOTTOM LINE: As the rivals for Daddy Warbucks' hand, Carrie Slaughter and Stephanie Riggs lead a sensational cast. But it's every actor's nightmare. They're upstaged not only by the talented Annie, Ashton Smalling, but by six other adorable little girls – not to speak of the dog!

Lawson Taitte