The Last Day!

Today, the 30th Anniversary Tour of Annie, The National Tour did it's final performance to a sold out crowd in Schenectady, New York.  It was a bitter-sweet day and one I will cherish for the rest of my life!

For the last two and a half years I have lived the dream of playing the iconic role of "Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks" on this national tour.  It is something that I never really thought I would do and something I can't imagine not having done.  It has been everything I ever hoped and dreamed that would be.  I have traveled to 49 states of our great country and performed in 48 of those.  I have traveled to 5 provinces of Canada.  My best guess is that I have done nearly 600 performances before over one million persons in over 200 cities.  I have played in some of the most beautiful and historic theatres in this country and stood in the footsteps of some of the greatest names to grace the stages of American Theatre.

I have gotten to know some amazing people including the creators of this amazing musical, its producers and presenters, the best stage hands in the business, the greatest management team and the most talented and gifted group of performers you can imagine including 19 little girls and 4 dogs.  I will cherish and remember each and everyone of you ever and ever and I fully intend on seeing everyone of you again and working with as many of you as possible.

Though today we say goodbye to this edition of Annie, I know that she has a long and prosperous life ahead of her and I look forward to visiting her often in the future.  This is not the last you have seen of this "Daddy Warbucks."

I have been asked frequently over the past few months what I will do now.  I don't know what the future holds but I do know that I plan on auditioning for future shows and continuing to work in the wonderful world of theatre.  I love performing and I even love touring.  So you will hopefully see me on the road again in the near future, if not as an actor then perhaps as a stage manager.  One never knows what the future holds.

It is a sad day and it is hard to say goodbye and to move on.  But if there is one thing I have learned from "Annie" it is that there is always a tomorrow and that if you approach that day with hope and optimism you never know what might happen.  And in order for there to be another opening of another show, a show has to close.

So in the words of the immortal "Oliver Warbucks,"  Yes girls, for you, and for all of us, this is going to be the beginning of a WONERFUL, NEW LIFE!