’ Annie Warbucks: The Sequel’ Entertains Despite Thin Plot

LONG BEACH — There isn’t much in “Annie Warbucks: The Sequel” that differs from its parent, “Annie.” Even President Franklin D. Roosevelt is back. And still no mention is made of Annie’s daddy’s real business as a minor villain making his fortune off war commodities--get it--”Warbucks.”

Not that the show’s similarity to the original is a flaw. A fairly mindless entertainment with a feel-good ending, it has its laughs. And it might even tug at your heart, especially in this revival by Orange County Children’s Theatre.

Under Daniel Halkyard’s bouncy, grinning direction, the young company, always earnest, comports as their elders with a knowing tongue in cheek.

Particularly notable is the Daddy Warbucks of John Blaylock, who played the same role in “Annie” for the theater’s production a few years ago. Blaylock has a fine, rich baritone that’s just right for Warbucks’ mega-CEO image, and it also has plenty of warmth when needed. Cindy Burnett also stands out as the heroine Annie, with a voice almost bigger than she is, and a winning tomboyish smile. April Quinn as Warbucks’ love interest Grace Farrell is a delight, putting over her solo “It Would Have Been Wonderful” with aplomb.

The plot is simplistic to a fault. Warbucks has custody of Annie, but is informed by the nasty child welfare commissioner Doyle (Sarah Koehler) that a single person may not adopt. That’s when Warbucks starts looking for a wife, and he picks one of Doyle’s office workers, Sheila Kelly (Amanda Loomer). What he doesn’t know is that Kelly is Doyle’s daughter, just out of the penitentiary for murdering an elderly man for his money. Will history repeat itself?

Koehler is very good as the unashamedly evil Doyle, with only a few moments in which going overboard fogs her believability. Loomer, on the other hand, is one of the show’s standouts, with a great voice, a true comic sense, and a subtle way with physical humor.

Danny Blaylock and Susie Lewis are notably subtle as the Tennessee couple who care for Annie when she runs away, and follow her to Washington. Donald McGregor plays it safe as FDR, only hinting at his presidential style, and doing it well indeed.

BE THERE

“Annie Warbucks: The Sequel,” University Theatre, Cal State Long Beach, 7th Street and East Campus Drive, Long Beach. Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2:30 & 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Ends Sunday. (714) 502-2244. $6-$8. Running time: 2 hours, 35 minutes.