Optimism.

It is a quality in short supply across the land these days, but if it is something you crave, take a cue from a spunky carrot-topped orphan who inspires optimism in a Depression-era Hooverville of homeless souls as well as in FDR and his presidential cabinet.
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I’m referring, of course, to the musical Annie, currently receiving a near-perfect production at Boca Raton’s Wick Theatre, headlined by an anything-for-a-laugh clown named Sally Struthers as alcoholic, child-detesting orphanage matron, Aggie Hannigan. The Wick has had its troubles over the years injecting box office names into its shows, but Struthers is the casting choice that demonstrates how successful such a commercial strategy can be.

Sally Struthers as a hissy Miss Hannigan and her nemesis “little girls” stole the show at The Wick’s “Annie” opening night.

The Broadway musical runs through Dec. 23 at the professional theater on Federal Highway if you haven’t been there before.

The “All in the Family” actress hisses and whistle blows her way through the Miss Hannigan role. Even her socks are funny. The audience belly-laughed her every move. Worth the ticket price just to see her dismantle a doll.

Executive producer Marilynn Wick told the audience the orphans were locals. That means there’s enough talent here to satisfy an audience used to New York theater. The kids were a great ensemble. But the youngest and smallest, Emily Jewel Hoder, stood out.
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Not to ignore Daddy Warbucks and Annie herself. Both George Dvosrsky and Peyton Ella have major theatrical credits. It shows. His includes Broadway and she was on NBC’s “Sound of Music Live.” Both project good solid voices and stage presence and own their parts in the show.