Musical “Ms. Warbucks,” Created by Locals, Returns to Lafayette

From Lafayette Travel

LAFAYETTE, La. (press release) – “Ms. Warbucks,” an original, locally written and produced musical, returns for a second run at Cité des Arts in Downtown Lafayette, August 6-9 and 14-16.

Hospice worker and performer Caroline Helm Huval and theater professor Bonny McDonald, two women balancing careers, family and the realities of caring across generations, are the co-creators behind “Ms. Warbucks.” 

Inspired by Harold’s Gray’s cartoon “Little Orphan Annie,” “Ms. Warbucks” is set in 1961 and follows grown-up Annie Warbucks as she visits her former orphanage director in a nursing home.

In this setting, Annie recognizes the same struggles she faced as a child: institutionalization, abandonment and, above all, a longing for family. The senior citizens are the orphans now.

While working in a nursing home as a hospice social worker, Huval, a lifelong fan of the 1982 movie “Annie,” had a vision of the nursing home residents dancing to “It’s a Hard Knock Life.” When she partnered with McDonald to co-write the musical, the show took off. 

The team grew to include songwriters Johanna Divine and Chas Justus. It sold out four shows at the Acadiana Center for the Arts two years ago. They are thrilled to present a revised version, with more songs and drama, later this summer.

“As our population ages, more families than ever are facing hard questions about long-term care, caregiving and what it means to grow old,” said McDonald.

The authors believe it is important to tell stories about aging local communities and societal responsibility to our elders. 

“The show is about our need for connection,” says Helm. “How can we take better care of one another as a community? What does it mean to belong?”

Ms. Warbucks takes up questions of abandonment, resentment and forgiveness as well, the authors say. 

“We hope that our show provides strong, interesting roles for older actors,” said McDonald, noting that the show features 12 senior citizens, ages 70 to 88, singing, dancing and showcasing their talents.

The creative team has big dreams: they want to take this show to Broadway. “We keep imagining Carol Burnett playing Ms. Agatha,” says Helm, referring to Burnett’s incredible performance of Ms. Hannigan, a character named Ms. Agatha in Grey’s cartoon and in “Ms. Warbucks.”

The return of “Ms. Warbucks” is a collaborative effort between the creators, the cast, Cité des Arts and Performing Arts Serving Acadiana (PASA). 

“Ms. Warbucks” promises heartrending songs, big laughs, deep conversations and, as Annie would say, a rootin’ tootin’ good time.