NBC has revealed the first look ofCelina Smithas Annie in the upcoming production ofAnnie Live, seated beside her iconic dog Sandy. Smith is no stranger to musicals. She played Young Nala in the touring company ofThe Lion Kingand most recently starred as Rebecca inTyler Perry’sYoung Dylanon Nickelodeon, but taking on the role of orphan Annie is going to put her in a national spotlight.
Annie Livealso starsHarry Connick Jr.as Daddy Warbucks,Taraji P. Hensonas Miss Hannigan,Nicole Scherzingeras Grace Farrell,Tituss Burgessas Rooster Hannigan, andJane Krakowskias Lily St. Regis.
Robert Greenblatt,Neil Meron, andAlex Rudzinskiare executive producing the live musical event withLear deBessonetand Rudzinski directing.Sergio Trujillois set to choreograph the musical, with costume designs byPaul Tazewell, production design byJason Sherwood, and music direction byStephen Oremus. The entire production will be produced by Chloe Productions.
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NBC described the musical as:
“Annie” is one of the most beloved and biggest hits in Broadway history and the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It has been licensed and performed in 50 countries and translated into eight languages. Based on the Harold Gray comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” that debuted in 1924, the musical premiered on Broadway in 1977 and initially ran for over four years.
The musical has had plenty of remakes and revivals over the last few decades, but it became a household favorite with the 1982 film starring Aileen Quinn as Annie with a supporting cast ofAlbert Finney,Carol Burnett,Tim Curry, andBernadette Peters. The most recentAnnieremake starredQuvenzhané Wallis,Jamie Foxx, andRose Byrne, but we have yet to see a live-action version of Annie on television.
We have lived throughRent Live!andGrease Live!, but there is something so soothing about Annie’s story that might make this one of the best live-musical broadcasts yet. We all sing along to songs like “Tomorrow” or “Maybe,” and now a new generation will get to celebrate Celina Smith as their Annie. We can’t wait to see her shine in the NBC broadcast ofAnnie Live! After all, it has been a hard knock life for us these past few years.
Annie Live!premieres on NBC on August 13, 2025. Check out the first look at Celina Smith as Annie and Taraji P. Henson as Miss Hannigan below:
