ORANGE PARK – Followers familiar with the story featuring the red-headed orphan Annie can expect a few changes to the classic story while maintaining the thread of optimism throughout the show as it prepares to hit the stage at the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts.

The original director of the Broadway musical “Annie,” Martin Charnin, returned as the director of the 2016 iteration and incorporated new lyrics in the song “N.Y.C.”

“One of my favorites, there are new lyrics in the song ‘N.Y.C,’” said Gilgamesh Taggett who plays Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks in a recurring role in which he had to shave his head and beard. “And Martin did the lyrics for the original so he was the one who provided the new lyrics. It’s a moment that is different for people who are familiar with the show might be used to during N.Y.C.”

Taggett said he would not call the changes improvements, but a “continual actualization” of the message of the Tony Award-winning show.

“All of the actors involved and people on the production side are all well-aware of as well, is that hope, that optimism that Annie brings is something people need to hear and need to see in its truest form. I think we’re doing that.”

Taggett said that optimism transferred into Warbucks’ character for this production. Other interpretations of the musical sometimes portray Warbucks in a seriously grumpy fashion.

“I’m, of course, trying to maintain the integrity of the character that was created by our director Martin back in 1977 when we first put this on Broadway, as well as be true to what he directed and what Thomas Meehan wrote in the script,” Taggett said. “We’ve had some fun integrating some humanity into Warbucks that may have been missing in previous incarnations.”

The Feb. 4 and 5 performances of “Annie” at the Thrasher-Horne at 283 College Dr. will still include scores such as “Maybe,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” and the eternal anthem of optimism “Tomorrow.”

Annie’s optimism is what drew Heidi Gray, 11, to play the role of Annie.

“What I love about Annie is that she never gives up and is optimistic,” said Gray, whose favorite school subject is language arts. “Annie is most like me because we are both outgoing and are leaders.”

The cast of the traveling production includes 22 members with two dogs rescued and trained specifically for the role of Annie’s mutt Sandy.

“The dogs, they interchange between Annie and the understudy, so there is a bond between each of the actresses and their particular dog,” Taggett said. “I don’t do a ton of interacting with them on-stage but off-stage they are professionals and they are excellent performers in their own right. They have personalities and need to be cared for. I’m personally thrilled the trainer has only worked with rescues.”

Taggett said he, like Annie, was adopted and hopes audiences connect with the possibility of adoption. “I’m adopted myself and I’m a firm believer in taking care of rescues be they fur covered or human,” Taggett said. “This story specifically speaks about the potential joy from adoption and I hope people give it an opportunity.”

The original production of Annie opened April 21, 1977 and has earned countless awards and accolades from the performing arts community. The show remains one of the biggest Broadway musical hits and ran for 2,377 performances after it first opened. The musical has been performed continuously around the world and in 28 languages for 37 years.  

Taggett said experiencing the musical is a must.

“The musical, in general, needs to be seen and I do use the word need because it really reminds people of what hope and optimism and love are what effect they can have,” Taggett said. “This production specifically, Martin has been doing this show since the ‘70s. He’s always come up with new additions and changes and little things to really actualize the show and every time I’ve come on stage when he comes to see us he has this wonderful grin on and if the man who created it has that happy a look on his face, then that’s reason enough for anybody else to come see it as well.”

For tickets ranging from $54 to $63 and can be purchased online at thcenter.org.