Beloved orphans merit an encore

The 1930s probably were bad enough for youngsters who lived with their families.

Just imagine how much worse times would have been if, instead of parents to guide you through the Depression, you had lazy, selfish, boozy Miss Hannigan making you scrub the orphanage.

It’s enough to make a dozen little girls sing:

“Oh, it’s rough,” said Michael Marone, who is directing “Annie” at the Music Box Playhouse in Swoyersville. “Miss Hannigan’s nasty to all of them. They’re sleeping two and three to a bunk. Some are on the floor. One of them plays with a mouse as a toy.”

But for little red-headed Annie, hard times and hard knocks don’t last. She eventually meets a kind benefactor, Daddy Warbucks, who will try to make her dreams come true.

“Warbucks has the ability to give her the world, pretty much,” Marone said. “Unfortunately, the one thing Annie wants is her real parents back, and it’s the one thing he can’t give her.”

Originally, the Music Box production was scheduled to end this weekend, but due to its popularity, two more shows have been added for March 2 and March 3.

Adding to the charm of the show are the cheerful singing and dancing of the young orphans, led by Abbigail Schultz as Annie.

The cast also boasts a four-footed friend, named Autumn in real life, who portrays Annie’s dog, Sandy.

“It’s the board president’s dog,” Marone said. “She’s a mix, and she’s the stereotypical sandy color. She’s a ham, too. She knows when it’s her time in the spotlight.”