MADISON – Put on a smile or you won’t be fully dressed, this musical insists. Children as young as five years old can join the optimistic cast in “Little Annie.”

Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy is inviting children to join the musical theatre showcase this fall. These young actors will sing, dance and act their way through the streets of New York bringing to life the story of Annie (originally named ‘Little Orphan Annie’).

This retelling of the popular musical keeps the main characters from the standard version. The audience will meet Annie, her dog Sandy, billionaire Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and the despicable Miss Hannigan. Can the cast help Annie in search for her biological parents?

The cast will bring smiles during song-and-dance sets for “Tomorrow” and “It’s a Hard-Knock Life.” Fantasy Playhouse’s Young Musical Theatre showcase is developed specifically for five- to seven-year-old actors who are interested in learning the process of putting on a musical.

Class curriculum focuses on teaching students the basics of acting, building self-confidence and working together through creative collaboration.

To register, visit fantasyplayhouse.org. On the home page, click the “Camps & Classes” link. On the next page, click the “VIEW” button for “Fall Classes 2022.” Click the session for the child to attend. (Another option to register is to visit https://bit.ly/3zjyPIN.)

For example, the selection for “Little Annie Monday Cast – Young Musical Theatre Showcase” has rehearsals on Monday from 4 to 5 p.m. through Nov. 7. Children who are five to seven years old can attend. The prospective actors can select one or more sessions for the show.

The “Little Annie” will rehearse on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. Students should sign up for one day to report for practice. Class will not be held on Sept. 5 and Oct. 3.

Two mandatory Saturday rehearsals will be held Nov. 5 and Nov. 12 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. The performance date will be Nov. 12 at 10 a.m.

This version of the musical was adapted from the book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin. “Annie” won the Tony Award for “Best Musical.”

The current address for Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy is 3312 Long Ave. in Huntsville. Summer office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For general information, call 256-539-6829 or email info@fantasyplayhouse.com. For camp and class information, email Candice Cooper at EducationDirector@fantasyplayhouse.com.