Leapin' Lizards! Jenni Barber Takes Over the Role of Grace Farrell in Broadway’s Annie

Welcome to Annie, Jenni Barber! We think you’re gonna to like it here. Barber, most recently seen in The Nance, will take over the role of Oliver Warbucks’ secretary, Grace Farrell, in the award-winning revival of Annie beginning August 20. She steps in for the departing Brynn O’Malley, who leaves the show on August 18 to lead the Broadway-aimed of Jason Robert Brown’s Honeymoon in Vegas at the Paper Mill Playhouse. A production spokesperson said Barber is a "temporary replacement," who is scheduled to play the role through November 3, with O'Malley "expected to return" to the production later in the fall.

Barber has appeared on Broadway in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Performers and The Nance. Her off-Broadway credits include Cactus Flower, As You Like It and From Up Here. From 2009 to 2011, she played the role of Lisa Heffenbacher on TV’s The Electric Company.

Barber joins the current Annie company, which includes Tony winner Faith Prince as Miss Hannigan, Anthony Warlow as Daddy Warbucks, Taylor Richardson and Sadie Sink alternating in the role of Annie, Clarke Thorell as Rooster, J. Elaine Marcos as Lily St. Regis and Sunny the dog as Sandy.

Inspired by the famous comic strip Little Orphan Annie, the features music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin and a book by Thomas Meehan. The production, helmed by James Lapine, opened on November 8 and garnered a Tony nomination for Best Revival and won the Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for Favorite Musical Revival.