Cast of 350 chosen for AnnieJr at Arts Theatre

Eight girls have been chosen to star as Annie in a shortened version of the classic musical, AnnieJr., which will play at the Arts Theatre this summer.

The rotating casts for the show, which runs from 29 July to 31 August, will feature a total of 350 children, selected from nearly 3,000 who auditioned.

With music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan, AnnieJr. features the songs "It’s the Hard Knock Life," "Easy Street," "I Don’t Need Anything But You" and "Tomorrow".

Producer/director Matthew Chandler said: "This is a version of Annie specially adapted by the original American creative team to be performed by talented young people. It is a fantastic opportunity for all the youngsters involved – and features one of the greatest child roles ever written."