Long John Silver's Reference Website

Statements On Joanna's Firing

Probably the most controversial thing that has ever happened in the history of Annie was when the Producers of the 20th Anniversary production fired twelve-year-old Joanna Pacitti after she had played the title role for 106 performances. Joanna's agent, Patti Claffy, Jon Merrill, and I all had a few things to say about this event.

As many of you know, a lot of rumors have circulated about why Joanna Pacitti was fired from the Twentieth Anniversary production. All of the theories that have been floating around have some credibility, because they seem plausible on the surface. I came up with, shall we say, a unique conclusion. I had been listening to all of the theories, just like a lot of other people had, and to each one I mentally said, Well, that's a very interesting theory, but can it be proven? I wanted to find a theory that could stand up to any scruitiny.

The theory that Joanna had a lack of talent went out the window almost immediately. True, Martin Charnin was not happy with the list of choices, but he had a problem with all of them. He did say, however, on Turning Point that Joanna could act. It was obvious to everyone who heard her that Joanna could sing beautifully. The members of the cast and crew that I talked to all said that Joanna had incredible talent. The newspapers seemed to agree. I read several accounts in major newspapers about how good she was. Not one news article I saw panned her. News media and personal opinions aside, if Joanna lacked talent, why was she hired in the first place? And why was she invited to play in 106 performances? Finally, why did they promote someone who was obviously less talented than Joanna in her place?

Nell Carter has been blamed more times than any other single person for Joanna's dismissal. It is well known that Nell has a short temper, and it has been speculated that she is jealous of others who have more talent than she. While the offers of top billing and a song of her own might support this theory, it could also mean that the producers had to offer her these things to get her to join the cast so they would have a big name in their lineup and therefore (theoretically) sell more tickets.

According to Pat Claffy, then Joanna's manager, shortly after Ms. Claffy was informed of the casting switch, the producers offered to keep Joanna in a split role with Brittny Kissinger. Although Ms. Claffy said on a national talk show that she summarily turned down the offer, there was a possibility that she would accept the split role on Joanna's behalf. Stella Pacitti, Joanna's mother, later stated that Ms. Claffy did not turn down the offer, but merely asked for the offer to be put in writing, after which the producers later rescinded their offer. But why would the producers offer a compromise if they wanted to get rid of her?

It is pretty well accepted by most theoreticians that the producers also did not fire Joanna to bring more publicity to the show. The termination notice was not delivered personally. It was sent by fax at three o’clock in the morning. The producers wanted to keep this as quiet as possible, because they knew that the negative publicity the news would generate would likely ruin them. And, as you know, it did.

In fact, the producers themselves never made any major decisions without consulting Martin Charnin, who was running the show. It would therefore be illogical to assume the producers made the decision to fire Joanna without consulting Charnin first. True, the producers fronted the money for the show, and they had to okay the decisions made by Charnin, and often executed their decisions from a monetary standpoint. But it would be logical to assume, from the relationship that existed between Charnin and the producers, that Charnin himself made the decision to fire Joanna, and not the producers.

So now the question is, Why did Charnin fire Joanna?

More importantly, why did he choose Brittny Kissinger to replace Joanna?

It is important to note that Charnin made some very peculiar decisions while directing the Twentieth Anniversary production. During the audition process, it was obvious that Brittny had some talent. However, she had a short attention span, and would often be in her own little world, according to several witnesses who were present at the auditions. She had to be repeatedly reoriented to the task at hand. Charnin would not normally have hired such a person for the cast. But he hired Brittny.

After Brittny was hired as an orphan, she was later promoted to the title role without an audition. She was just under four feet tall. Charnin has always liked girls between 4'-3" and 4'-9", and, since 1980, between nine and eleven years old. Why did he suddenly hire a girl so small and immature for the title role? There were other, obviously more qualified girls in the existing cast who could have done far better. Why Brittny? And why no audition? Charnin had always conducted auditions before. This was just one more thing that was atypical of Charnin’s decision-making process. The same was true when Charnin hired Jane Bailey Patterson several months after the switch. According to many witnesses, Patterson had little acting talent and a horrid voice. This is not to be critical of Patterson herself, but just to point out that there was something very wrong with the way Charnin was handling the casting process.

Whatever the case, based on this and other information I have accumulated in the four years since this tragic event, the conclusion is now obvious. Brittny was selected from the start, or at least well before the Turning Point episode aired in February, to play the title role, and it was just a matter of waiting for the right time to make the switch. Joanna, her parents, her manager, the cast and crew, had nothing to do with the decision. Joanna was in the way, so she was gotten rid of. It was as simple as that. There may have been more to this than what I have written here, but that's the long and short of it.

All of the pieces fit. The producers didn't know what was going on (or maybe they did), but they went along with the decision. They couldn't tell the press the real reason for Joanna's firing. "Joanna was fired because Martin Charnin suddenly went crazy"? Or, "Joanna was fired because he suddenly decided to let Brittny be Annie"? What would you have said? So they released a lame statement about Joanna not having the right chemistry with the other actors.

Okay, why didn't Charnin put Brittny in the title role in the beginning instead of putting her in as an orphan first? Obviously because Brittny wasn't ready for it, and the producers knew it. It would have been too obvious that Charnin had an unreasonable preference if he had hired a seven-year-old, 3'-9" girl for the title role, so that was out of the question. - Long John Silver, February 2, 2001

I am still one of Joanna's Managers ... as you know, she also has managers in the record production business for that area which she is pursuing. To write my story as you may well imagine, I would need a number of days to do so. Perhaps in the near future when time allows I can write a condensed version. For now, I will pull out several key points I've noticed.

1) I agree the firing was held off and possibly in the works for some time. I feel to any performer that is unfair. They waited to get the publicity from Turning Point's "Making of A Star". To me, that is one of the most cruel things that took place. It would have been much easier to accept the decision before making Joanna a known public figure and not have to endure the things Joanna did.

2) The firing was made public by the Producers and the Producers only! We (producers reps and I) agreed to a "48 hour press freeze" (parties agree to be silent until both parties agree on press release) the day after I received the fax. This was upon my request that we formulate together a release that would be vague and not label Joanna fired. Although in my heart I knew they had done wrong, my main goal was to spare the child humiliation and harm beyond which she felt just by being fired. At any rate, 25 hours into the 48 hour press freeze I was sitting at my kitchen table still stunned and hurting for Joanna. The New York Times called, then the New York Post, then the Philadelphia Inquirer asking my office staff why Joanna had been fired. My office telephoned me, I telephoned newspapers and asked how they found out about this, the answer to me is verbatim as follows from the reporter: "We just pulled it off the wire (AP). The producers released Joanna's firing as a news item." I could never describe the shock that fell over my body! I could not believe they would do this and break the agreement. They made me a promise to not hurt her anymore and now behind my back told the world and didn't even warn me. My job again was to break Joanna's heart as she was coming in to Philadelphia, the press was all over this. I recall getting on my hands and knees asking God to please give me the strength to be strong for this little girl because I couldn't imagine an event worse in life. Within the next 24 hours hundreds and hundreds of press calls beseiged my office. Certain hot news gossip shows got hold of my and Pacitti's home phone numbers and called continously all night and into the wee hours of the morning trying to get the story! Press and cameras were perched outside of Joanna's home the night through, peering through windows, searching through trash cans. I called and begged them to go away, but they wouldn't. Hence, the media explosion that took place. Then the producers suggested in stories that Joanna couldn't act. That crushed Joanna as we all knew how untrue. We ultimately let Joanna speak and appear to tell her side of the story. This was Joanna's decision to respond to all of the incorrect speculation and rumor. She told me "I want the world to know I am talented and didn't do anything wrong, I got wonderful reviews everywhere. I want to make sure no other little girl ever has to go through this, etc. etc.".

3) Martin Charnin was not the person who made the decision to fire Joanna. Martin did not want Joanna fired from the role of Annie. To my knowledge, he was notified AFTER the letter went out to Joanna that she was terminated! My conversation with Martin the morning after was one that he was stunned at what had happened. He did, however, have a job to continue on in and I understand his support in the production. That's really the truth and I think the facts will be vindicated at some point. (By the way, Joanna is most fond of Martin and has the highest respect admiration of Martin to this day).

4) A split role was never officially offered. There was a contract to which all changes must be placed in writing. I was told proposed changes would be put in writing and received by fax. I expected they would propose to split the role by their variuos ideas, however, I didn't know for sure. You know what follows, instead of the proposal/offer by fax received a notice of firing in the middle of the night. - Patti Claffy, February 2, 2001

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Thank you very much for your message on the Forum clarifying a lot of the controversy surrounding the Joanna firing. We are grateful to you for your input, as you are obviously as close to this issue as anyone and know correct details as to what happened.

Many people on this Forum object whenever the subject of the firing pops up again, saying that it was a long time ago, etc. Actually, what usually happens is that new people come on and ask questions about it, so Long John Silver and I do our best to clarify it to the extent of what we know and believe. LJS and I have a lot of respect for each other and have discussed the subject endlessly by private e-mail, and although we do not agree on many issues, we still approach the subject with the interest inherent in being the Annie historians we are.

In addition, in the past four years I have received scores of private e-mails with queries as well as to what all happened. This is just something that bothered all Annie fans intensely, and something we cannot just forget about. I am a Star Supporter for a community children's repertory company, so I am constantly asked by parents of kids in community theater musicals what my take is on how I feel about kids being in show biz. (I am "all for it," but they must be aware that bad stuff, like what happened to Joanna, does happen in this business.)

In 1997 I was still the president of the international Annie Fan Club and publishing our newsletter Annie People, so we were in the thick of things right then, especially since we knew many people in the cast. With something as sensitive as this, we tried to be respectful to Joanna and be as objective as we could in our coverage, i.e., our policy was to not publish anything about the firing in Annie People unless it had appeared previously elsewhere in the press. We of course were privy to plenty of "inside information," but we were careful about what to reveal, because we didn't want to be accused of spreading unsubstantiated gossip. This was especially true regarding the reason that Joanna was fired, inasmuch as we believe then, as we still believe today, that the press never did find out exactly what that "missing piece" was. Some things are just a little too sensitive to be discussed in a published newsletter or on a public Forum. Suffice it to say that the producers were successful in pulling off [a big cover-up].

I have argued all along, having known him for many years, that I believed that Martin was NOT responsible for firing Joanna, and I was glad that you put that issue to rest for all of us. In 1986 we did a 2-hour taped interview with Martin which filled three issues of Annie People, so I think we have a pretty good insight as to his personality and how he operates.

One issue which I think confuses people on the Forum is that Martin is the employee of the producers, not the other way around. Martin must go along with what they want; otherwise they could just go out and get another director. It is not the director's place to tell the producers what to do.

I was not aware, until you told us, about the 48-hour gag order and its subsequent violation. It seems weird that the producers would choose to inflict so much negative publicity on themselves, since it ended up backfiring on them so badly. I was also not aware of the extent of the press being such vultures around the Pacittis' house when the story broke. As you said, it would have been much kinder to have done the firing way back when the issue first came up, rather than waiting until after Turning Point aired, two weeks before the Broadway opening.

Thank you again, and please feel free to contact me by private e-mail at jonmerrill@aol.com if you like. It is obvious that other posters on the Forum are tired of all the talk about this overworked but nevertheless extremely important topic and would like to see less about it on the Forum.

I am glad that Joanna has a record deal and I wish her well. I bought her demo and feel that she has a great chance to break into the pop music field. Don't forget, thanks to fans of the show of Annie, like the people on this Forum, she already has a huge fan base the very day her record is released. - Jon Merrill, February 5, 2001

You're welcome if I helped at all. I promise you always the truth as I know it! The reason I always refrained from commentary is that I didn't want to incite more trouble or controversy for anyone. I also did not want to appear whiney, as I'm sure it's perceived that way so often. Now that time has elapsed, I feel that in my heart it is important for fans to be informed and to put things at rest if we can.

Jon, I so understand how you and LJS have varying opinions and that is well-respected. Both you and LJS have acted most honorably in your constant fairness. I respect your efforts, which I know are extensive. I can, however, accept opposing views and always sort of "agree to disagree" with people who feel differently about this subject.

Jon, I am also all for this business. It can be very wonderful. The Feb. 97 events created disaster across the board and one that Joanna, her family and myself want to prevent from ever happening again. My only piece of advice here: go to normal auditions, don't enter contests, competitions or whatever you'd like to call it. But, who knew then? Without the surrounding publicity of winning at Macy's, the Turning Point airing and PR agenda, Joanna's release wouldn't have had such impact. As you know, a lot of harm was done here to so many lives which could've been prevented.

I agree of your mention of cover-up! Someone, somewhere knows the "missing-piece" you reference. (If that someone is reading, please call me!?) [Editor's Note: If you are one such person who believes he or she knows what "the missing piece" is, please send me e-mail, and I will get you and Ms. Claffy in touch with each other.] I have spent almost every day of the last four years trying to figure out what happened and why. I am perhaps no closer at solving the mystery today than I was three years ago. However, I do know that it was not Martin. Of that I am sure. My reference of the press invasion described the events in a very light fashion and just a touch of the events. It was so horrid ... beyond what I believe anyone could imagine unless right there. Those first few days I tried to hide Joanna hoping it would go away and it seemed to make it worse. No one knew what to do and of every experienced person in this business I knew ...they didn't have the answers either. We pleaded with Macy's to intervene and help Joanna (after all she had appeared at Macy's promotional fashion shows and sang for free for them after winning!), but they ignored the pleas! But enough whining about that, huh!

I have no idea why the producers released that statement, in that way and without warning. I can forgive many things, but that part is It was quite uncalled for and unacceptable. I don't think they expected it to backfire, and can only surmise their intentions were to benefit.

So, as you can see .. it has been a diverse and difficult experience. However, I would go through it all again for Joanna or any of my talent. Joanna is one terrific kid and so very well worth it (now young lady). Joanna gave me strength I never knew I had. There is no doubt in my mind that Joanna will soar and succeed in her endeavors! She is one of the most amazingly talented performers I've encountered and has a heart of gold. Her parents were/are wonderful and to this day I have no idea how they withstood the events. Just being the manager through this was perhaps the hardest job I've encountered. The saving grace was you Jon, LJS and thousands of terrific Annie fans, Joanna fans and strangers out there that reached out and were so supportive!!! I received hundreds of letters and Joanna probably received thousands. Your thoughts/actions made a difference and the kindness extended is appreciated beyond words. To those people: You are angels, Joanna would have never made it through without you.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart! - Patti Claffy, February 5, 2001