Act One
The story begins December 1933 in an orphanage in New York City.
One of the orphans, Annie, can't sleep and tells the other girls how
her parents left her there with a locket and will return for her
someday. Woken by the voices, the owner of the orphanage, Miss
Hannigan, demands the girls clean from floor to ceiling, even though
it's the middle of the night. As they finish, Annie escapes in a laundry
basket.
Alone on the streets, Annie encounters a stray dog whom she
names Sandy. She manages to persuade a suspicious police
officer that the dog is hers, but she is soon rounded up and returned
to the orphanage. Miss Hannigan is about to punish her when a
visitor arrives. The visitor is Grace Farrell, personal secretary to
Oliver Warbucks, the billionaire. In an effort to display a positive
image, Mr Warbucks has invited an orphan to spend the holidays at
his mansion. Much to Miss Hannigan's disgust, Grace chooses
Annie.
Annie is amazed by the size of the mansion, and is curious about
the gruff billionaire. She persuades him to show her the city.
Although reluctant at first, Warbucks soon warms to the young
orphan.
