PHOTO FLASH: Sarah Jessica Parker Helps Honor Creators of Annie At Goodspeed Musicals Gala

Annie debuted at Goodspeed 35 years ago, and its subsequent Broadway production won seven Tony Awards, including for Best Musical, Meehan’s book, and Charnin and Strouse’s score.

The Honorary Chair for the gala was Sarah Jessica Parker, who was on hand to help fete Annie‘s creators. The actress stepped into the title role of the show on Broadway in 1979 and has gone on to international stage and screen stardom.

Conrad John Schuck, who starred opposite Parker as Daddy Warbucks, emceed the event. Also on hand was theatrical animal trainer William Berloni, who adopted and trained the original Sandy, and will be receiving a Special Tony Award this year. In addition, the gala included performances by Danny Gardner, Karen Murphy, and Molly Tynes.

The event raised nearly $300,000 for Goodspeed Musicals’ education programs.

Thomas Meehan, Martin Charnin, and Charles Strouse — the original creative team of the musical Annie — was honored at Goodspeed Musicals’ annual gala, which was held on Saturday, June 4. They each received The Goodspeed Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre in recognition of their extraordinary careers.

Annie debuted at Goodspeed 35 years ago, and its subsequent Broadway production won seven Tony Awards, including for Best Musical, Meehan’s book, and Charnin and Strouse’s score.

The Honorary Chair for the gala was Sarah Jessica Parker, who was on hand to help fete Annie‘s creators. The actress stepped into the title role of the show on Broadway in 1979 and has gone on to international stage and screen stardom.

Conrad John Schuck, who starred opposite Parker as Daddy Warbucks, emceed the event. Also on hand was theatrical animal trainer William Berloni, who adopted and trained the original Sandy, and will be receiving a Special Tony Award this year. In addition, the gala included performances by Danny Gardner, Karen Murphy, and Molly Tynes.

The event raised nearly $300,000 for Goodspeed Musicals’ education programs.