THE STORY

Have you ever wondered, “Whatever happened to Annie?”

Ms. Warbucks, an original musical adapted from Harold Gray’s Little Orphan Annie cartoon from the 1920s, answers that question in a bold and imaginative way.

Set in 1961, this thoughtful and heartfelt musical explores themes of forgiveness, aging, and coming home. At its core, it is about Annie—but also about all of us, and our relationship with the past, family, and belonging.

Annie is now 39 years old, living alone in New York City. She begins visiting her former orphanage director, who now resides in a nursing home. This “orphanage for the elders” becomes the backdrop for Annie’s next search for home.

In this setting, Annie is confronted with familiar struggles: institutionalization, abandonment, and a deep longing for connection. She discovers that the elderly residents are, in many ways, the new “orphans.” As she becomes involved in advocating for their care, she must also confront her own need for love and belonging in a system that has failed them both.

What began as a seed of inspiration has grown into a homegrown production, shaped by creative collaboration and love.

You can see this original musical at Cité des Arts, August 6–9 and 14–16, 2026.

Ms. Warbucks was written in Acadiana by Caroline Helm Huval and Bonny McDonald. The musical score is by Johanna Divine and Chas Justu.