'Annie' returns to NYC this holiday season, starring Whoopi Goldberg as Miss Hannigan

Amen for NYC!

The beloved musical "Annie" is making its holiday season return to New York City for the first time in a decade, with Whoopi Goldberg stepping into the cunningly cruel shoes of Miss Hannigan.

“I love the theater, and in my mind, there is no better way to spend the holidays than to get back on stage,” said Goldberg, an EGOT winner and current host of "The View," in a news release. “I can’t wait to step in to the delicious role of Miss Hannigan and perform for the greatest audiences in the world — in my hometown of New York City.”

"Annie" will play The Theater at Madison Square Garden from Dec. 4, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025. Goldberg will play Miss Hannigan from Dec. 11 through the end of the run.

“At its heart, 'Annie' is a story about hopes and dreams, and also a love letter to NYC,” said Charles Strouse, the Tony Award-winning composer of "Annie," which originally opened on Broadway in 1977 and won seven Tonys.

The musical about the optimistic orphan who teaches us "the sun'll come out tomorrow," also features a book by Thomas Meehan and lyrics by Martin Charnin.

“It is a dream come true to bring 'Annie' back home for the first time in 10 years, just in time for the holidays," Strouse said. "And having the iconic Whoopi Goldberg join the company and make her first appearance ever in a production of 'Annie' is a gift to us all! I know Martin and Tom would be thrilled, too.”

The new production of "Annie" is directed by Jenn Thompson, who played Pepper in the original Broadway production when she was 10.

Tickets for "Annie" at Madison Square Garden go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 9.

Tickets start at $39 when purchased in-person at the Ticketmaster box office at Madison Square Garden, 4 Penn Plaza in Manhattan; tickets are $54.50, including service charges, when purchased at msg.com/ANNIE.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Annie with Whoopi Goldberg, comes to Theater at MSG in NYC