David Barton was a theater teacher in Tennessee when his wife encouraged him to try out for "Annie."
"I thought it would be a neat experience - something I could pass on to my students," Barton said.
"Annie," the little redheaded orphan with a big heart and a bigger voice, has been warming the hearts of theatergoers for 30 years. She will sing about sunshine at Popejoy Hall on Friday.
The family-oriented musical known for its bright spirit and happy ending is on a new national tour. In the musical, the feisty, ever-optimistic redhead keeps looking forward to the bright sunshine of "tomorrow" - even when her skies are dark as she is mistreated in the orphanage by the awful Ms. Hannigan. She is eventually adopted by Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks, an industrial tycoon who decides to open his home to Annie after she successfully opens his heart.
Barton landed the role of the bald, gallant billionaire, and is now seven months into his first nine-month national tour of "Annie" that began on Aug. 20.
"It has turned out to be one of the roles I've most enjoyed," he said. "It's not the most challenging, but it's really fun."
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"Annie," one of Broadway's top 20 longest-running shows and one of the most successful musicals of all time, has been showing off and on since its debut in 1977. The current show is directed by its original director and lyricist, Martin Charnin.
Barton said the show has had a few minor changes but is pretty much the same as the original 1977 version.
"It very much has that classic feel to it," he said.
Barton said his favorite moment in the show is when Daddy Warbucks and Annie are finally united and sing their duet "I Don't Need Anything But You." He said this scene is the most fun for him, even though it's not the climax of the play, because the staunch Warbucks finally becomes open to sharing part of his life with Annie.
Barton said he isn't sure what tomorrow holds for him, but he is open to signing on for another tour.
Barton has lived in Tennessee for 20 years.
"It's hard being away from my family and friends," he said.
However, the experience of being on tour and having the opportunity to perform professionally makes it all worth it, he said.
"I get to work with great people and do what I love most all the time," he said. "It's a dream come true from that aspect. It's definitely something I'd like to continue."
"Annie"
Friday - 8 p.m.
Saturday - 2 p.m. and 8
Sunday - 2 p.m. and 7:30
Popejoy Hall
$32.50-$50
