"Annie," currently playing at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, features Brittny Kissinger in the title role. The ensemble includes a handful of moppet "orphans," who surround Miss Hannigan, played by Sally Struthers.

We caught up with "Annie" sensation Brittny Kissinger during a break in production of the 20th Anniversary show. From her L.A. hotel suite, she regaled Escape with her experiences as the most popular redhead on the Great White Way.

She's currently playing the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, in a return visit to Los Angeles. She's done the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon, which originates from the Southland, as well as performed in Long Beach, Orange County and Costa Mesa.

Asked what she liked best about playing "Annie," Kissinger replied "It's fun." She enjoyed playing Broadway because the rest of the day could be spent "going places in New York and stuff."

With the same enthusiasm that fills her character, she said she liked "Annie" because "I like her optimism and she's really spunky, like me. My favorite songs are "Maybe" and "Tomorrow."

Like any little girl, she enjoys working with Cindy Lou, the mixed-breed dog that plays "Sandy" in the show. She has her own puppy at home, a Shi-tsu and toy poodle mix, considerably smaller than Cindy Lou.

"This is like a dream come true," she said of the role, "I saw the movie 'Annie' when I was little and said I want to be her."

While she was on Broadway, she met a few of the other girls — now women, including Shelly Bruce and Aileen Quinn — who have played the part, but Kissinger said none of them offered any advice on how to do the role.

Outside of her fame as Annie, Kissinger is a typical fourth grader. Her favorite subjects are science and reading and she has high aspirations: she wants to be (in no particular order) a lawyer, psychiatrist and actress.

Since the interview took place before Christmas, we got to ask her what she hoped Santa would bring her. With a delicious giggle, she said "a car, jewelry and a CD." We're assuming she meant music CD, preferably from some of her favorite artists, which include Celine Dion, Shania Twain and Barbra Streisand.

When she has time (certainly not during the show, as she is in nearly every scene) she likes to read.

"My favorites are chapter books, scary books or adventures. I've read so many books I forgot the titles. Sometimes I have time to read backstage, or sometimes I read at night," she said.

She's back, that sassy redheaded sweetheart of an orphan, Annie, and audiences young and old are welcoming her with open arms.

"Annie" is celebrating 20 years of "Tomorrows" and this touring company is direct from Broadway. Brittny Kissinger, a perky 9-year-old from New York, takes the title role and makes it her own. While the other orphans are cute (especially Victoria Pontecorvo, as Molly, who steals our hearts more than once) and well-choreographed, it is Brittny who's head and shoulders above the rest.

While newcomer Kissinger is the last in a long line of Annies, some of the major roles have been taken by stars better known for their television roles. Sally Struthers plays Miss Hannigan, the evil orphanage spinstress and Conrad John Schuck takes the stage as Oliver Warbucks, the tycoon who gets wrapped around Annie's little finger. Audiences hoping to see some of Struthers' "Gloria Stivic" (her character from the 1970's "All In the Family" weren't disappointed, although at times it was distracting as she cavorted around the stage with a baby-doll voice. Schuck, on the other hand, was delightful as Warbucks. He even looks like the Warbucks drawn in the old comics. His voice was strong and evocative, his movements fluid and sincere. He was fun to watch from both my and my younger daughter's perspective.

Supporting cast members include Kay Story as Grace, Warbucks' assistant. She is at once elegant and efficient, the poster girl of Art Deco with her tall figure and finger-curl coiffure. Laurent Giroux played Rooster, Hannigan's no-good brother. He looked the sleazy part, but his voice was often weak and his spirits somewhat flagging. His sidekick, Lily, played by Karen Byers-Blackwell was wonderful. Not only could she whine with the best of them, she was leggy and big — not in the physical sense, but in the way she filled out the character. You felt the steely glare when she was kept waiting and her bliss when "Easy Street" was only a few steps away.

"Annie" veteran Ron Wisniski played F.D.R.; as he has in seven previous productions. His enthusiasm and panache got the rest of his "cabinet" going and he was one of the bright spots throughout the show. One of the best songs in the show was the reprise of "Tomorrow" where he goads Harold Ickes into singing with other officials at the White House, saving a solo for himself, then demands harmony one more time before a blackout.

Of course, any review of "Annie" would be remiss without a mention of her faithful dog, Sandy, played by Cindy Lou. According to the program, Cindy Lou was a severely abused dog who required surgery to remove a collar embedded in her neck after being rescued from a Connecticut pound in 1991. A collective "awwww" came from the audience every time she looked out with her big expressive eyes, and they giggled when she jumped a cue and tried to make a quick stage right exit at the end of "Tomorrow."

The production, which plays through January 17 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, also features elaborate set pieces that fly up and in from the sides with smooth precision. Peter Gennaro's choreography was well-timed and complimented any other movement on the stage (including the changing scenes, designed by Kenneth Foy). Theoni V. Aldredge did a fine job of establishing the fashions and colors of the 1930s with elegant and shabbily-chic costumes. All in all, director Martin Charnin should be proud, as this production will surely win the hearts of yet another generation of theater fans.