Goodspeed Musicals returns Annie to East Haddam for 50th anniversary production

Annie the musical at goodspeed opera house october - december 2026

Goodspeed Musicals will close its 2026 season with the 50th anniversary production of Annie at The Goodspeed in East Haddam. The musical originally made its pre-Broadway premiere at the venue in 1976 and returns for a run scheduled from Oct. 30 through Dec. 27, with the official press opening set for Nov. 11.

The production features a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin. The story follows young Annie as she escapes Miss Hannigan’s orphanage, taking along her dog Sandy before eventually finding a home with Oliver Warbucks.

Laiken Jules will star in the title role of Annie, joined by Tony and Drama Desk nominee Emily Skinner as Miss Hannigan and Christopher Swan as Oliver Warbucks. Additional cast members include Julia Nicole Hunter as Grace Farrell, Rhett Guter as Rooster, Kelly Berman as Lily, and a rescue dog named Scotty playing Sandy.

Jenn Thompson, who appeared as Pepper in the original Broadway cast of Annie, will direct the revival. The creative team includes choreographer Patricia Wilcox, Goodspeed resident music director Adam Souza, scenic designer Wilson Chin, costume designer Alejo Vietti, lighting designer Philip S. Rosenberg, and sound designer Jay Hilton.

Performance schedules run Wednesdays through Sundays, with select matinee and evening showtimes alongside altered schedules during Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks. The production is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International, with marquee sponsorship provided by local donors.

Event details

Annie
Goodspeed Musicals • 6 Main St, East Haddam, CT 06423
October 30, 2026 – December 27, 2026
Click here to purchase tickets

Don’t miss

• Twenty hungry guests, one last-minute phone call, and Press Burger to the rescue
• Halloween events and pop-up cocktail bar return to Mohegan Sun this October
• Trans-Siberian Orchestra brings 30th anniversary winter tour to Mohegan Sun

••••••• Message center – Connecticut savings and messages from our sponsors •••••••

Learn to cook this fall with AMG Catering & Events

Upgrade your autumn entertaining with AMG Catering & Events’ fall cooking class series. This season’s schedule features fun new themes—including Dolly Parton favorites and game-day tailgating—alongside popular returning favorites like Oktoberfest and Sushi & Dumplings. Plus, get ready for the festive season with specialized classes focused on Friendsgiving dishes and holiday appetizers paired with cocktails.

Registration is live! Explore the complete class schedule below to secure your spot.

9/30 – Doing it Dolly – Dolly Parton inspired
10/7 – Octoberfest
10/15 – Elevate Your Tailgate
10/21 – Sushi & Dumplings
11/18 – Friendsgiving
12/1- Holiday Apps with Cocktail

To register, click here. Gift certificates are also available by clicking here.

September events at Fairfield Theatre Company

9/18 – FTC’s County Dance Party9/18 – Mystic Dead
9/19 – Sugar Mountain
9/19 – Paula Cole
9/20 – Tom Hamilton
9/24 – Amythst Kiah
9/26 -I’m Your Man: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen

Click here for more information & order tickets.

September events at PeoplesBank Arena

9/ 25 & 26 – Olivia Rodrigo
9/27 – Dom Omar

Click here to purchase tickets.

Connecticut Merch

Finding Connecticut’s patriotic merch celebrates state pride and American spirit, just in time for the lead-up to America 250. Featuring classic red, white, and blue style, the collection is a nod to where we’ve been and where we’re headed. As the nation prepares to mark 250 years in 2026, these pieces are an easy way to show pride in both Connecticut and the broader American story—past, present, and future.

Click here to shop • Shop App • Tiktok Shop

Your ad here

The Message Center on Finding Connecticut appears on every post across the site, giving your message maximum exposure to a statewide audience. Whether you’re promoting an event, business, product, or service, your message will be seen by thousands of engaged readers exploring Connecticut content every day. Placement runs monthly, making it an ideal option for consistent visibility without the need for daily management. With prominent positioning and a streamlined setup process, the Message Center offers an affordable, effective way to get your message in front of locals—right where they’re already paying attention. Reserve your spot today to get noticed. Click here for more information on Message Center ads. Click here for more advertising opportunities.

Gourmet Cookies

Indulge in Keksi gourmet cookies, featuring classic flavors such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, as well as new monthly creations. Made with the highest quality ingredients, each bite is a delicious treat. Perfect for any cookie lover!

Save on CBD!

My name is Jillian, and I am the editor here at Finding Connecticut. When I came across New England Hemp Farm a few years ago, I had recently had my ankle fused. New England Hemp Farm’s Sports Relief Rub and 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil have helped with everyday and weather pain.

Finding quality products that can improve your day-to-day life can be tough, but with New England Hemp Farm, getting a good night’s sleep or relieving your pain and anxiety has never been easier. Plus, using our code Findingconnecticut35, you’ll save 35% on your first purchase. And don’t forget, returning customers can use code Findingconnecticut20 to save 20% on orders. Let us help you find relief and savings with New England Hemp Farm.

Products we use here at Finding Connecticut include Sports Relief Rub • 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil • Pet Drops • Pet Treats

Let’s create with Victory Designs

Need help with your creative needs? Our team has 20+ years of experience with Adobe, Shopify, and WordPress, and we offer affordable graphic design and web services. Let Victory Designs assist you with bringing your ideas to life.

Connecticut with us!

Stay informed with daily news directly in your inbox! Our service is completely free, and we guarantee your privacy – your email and information will never be shared, traded, or sold.

Stay connected with us on social media

Facebook • Instagram • Threads • Tiktok • X • Newsbreak • Bluesky
Join our Reddit community

Share your Connecticut experiences with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram

Click here to return to Finding Connecticut’s home page

Don’t miss our reviews

Concert reviews • Restaurant reviews • Family restaurant reviews

Looking for the latest news by region, topic, and events

Foxwoods welcomes fall with a September lineup of legendary music and comedy

ICYMI: The top 5 stories that Connecticut is reading this week

Goodspeed Musicals returns Annie to East Haddam for 50th anniversary production