Eleven-year-old Latina Rainier Treviño is the protagonist of this exciting adventure, playing the iconic role of Annie in the musical. For her, embodying Annie meant more than just dazzling on stage; it was an opportunity to explore her own bravery and determination, drawing inspiration from the intrinsic values of her beloved character.
For over 45 years, Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner. The musical is more relevant than ever today as it truly is a celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit and remains the ultimate cure for all of life’s hard knocks.
The little orphan has reminded generations of viewers that the sun is always just around the corner, and now the most beloved musical of all time returns to Orlando with a new production.
Annie, directed by Jenn Thompson, features the iconic book and score written by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse, and Martin Charnin. This celebration of family, optimism, and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all of life’s hard knocks.
The musical will be presented from October 24th to 29th at the Dr. Phillips Center’s Walt Disney Theater at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 8 p.m.
“Playing the role of Annie has been an incredible experience for me,” explained Rainier. “I’ve enjoyed stepping into Annie’s shoes and bringing her story to life on stage. She’s such a strong and brave character, and I’ve learned a lot from her optimism and determination. It’s been a pleasure to share her journey with the audience and be a part of such a beloved musical.”
Residing in Chesapeake, Virginia, Rainier comes from a musical family with strong Hispanic roots in San Antonio, Texas. From a young age, she has been immersed in the world of performing arts, training and performing with the family theater company, the Hurrah Players. Her dancing steps began at the age of 3, and since the age of 4, she has delighted audiences with her talent and stage presence, participating in various regional theater productions.
“I’ve always enjoyed singing, dancing, telling stories, and bringing characters to life,” she shared enthusiastically. “Performing in musical theater has given me a platform to express myself creatively in all of the things I love to do. This opportunity has reinforced my dream to continue pursuing musical theater.”
When asked if she had any special advice for other young aspiring actors, especially those from diverse backgrounds, looking to make their mark in the industry, Rainier responded emphatically: “Always be yourself and never give up. It’s important to believe in yourself, even when it feels like nobody else does. You might hear ‘no’ a lot, but that’s just a step on the way to hearing ‘yes.’ Keep practicing, take classes if you can, and don’t be afraid to try new things. Also, find role models who look like you and who inspire you. They can show you that you can totally make it too. And always remember to have fun! Acting is about telling stories and making people feel stuff, so enjoy it!”
Rainier shared her deep connection with Annie, highlighting her admiration for the character’s bravery and her ability to never give up, even when things get tough. “I can relate to her because sometimes things can be hard, but I try to stay positive like Annie. Also, she’s always dreaming about a better tomorrow, and that’s just like me. I have so many dreams too, and seeing Annie never give up makes me think I can do anything too. When I play her, it feels like I’m bringing out the best parts of me and sharing them with everyone.”
Una versión en español la puede encontrar aquí: Una latina interpreta Annie, la producción de Broadway en Orlando