"Annie" photo opt Friday

The sun will come out tomorrow for fans of the popular musical "Annie."

The national tour will roll into the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center 8 p.m. Friday in the Carol Morsani Hall. As a special treat, 11-year-old star Madison Kerth will meet and greet fans from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Friday at WestShore Plaza (250 Westshore Plaza in Tampa), center court. She'll be there with her pooch "Sandy" from the show. Bet your bottom dollar they'll be there.

Youth are encouraged to dress in red dresses and wigs so they can be just like Annie. Parents, be sure to bring the video cameras to capture the special moment.

When I was a kid, I used to read the Little Orphan Annie comics for a time. If I remember right, she was always running away a lot, trying to solve some sort of mystery from her past. And she would run into these weird-looking and often scary characters. The comic was rather strange to me. I enjoyed the more uplifting film version of "Annie" better.

This new Broadway production follows the film's hopeful storyline and has all the great songs such as "It’s the Hard-Knock Life" and the ever-popular "Tomorrow."

TBPAC will offer a special family deal for the opening night show. Purchase a full-price adult ticket and receive a free children's ticket (ages 12 and under). There will also be pre-show family-friendly fun activties. "Annie" will run various times through June 14.

The theater is at 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa. For more information, visit tbpac.org.
- January Holmes