With a head full of red curls, a hard-knock life and a promise of tomorrow, the adored Annie character has continued to make her way into audiences’ hearts for 30 years after the play “Annie” premiered on Broadway in April 1977.

“Annie,” set in the 1930s, tells the story of an orphaned girl with a hopeful spirit who longingly waits for the day her parents will return. After initially being stuck in a miserable orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan, Annie is eventually placed in the home of Oliver Warbucks. This was done as a publicity stunt, but soon after moving in she wins the hearts of everyone in the Warbucks’ household. Even the heartless billionaire could not resist Annie’s sweetness and charm. With their newly found relationship, Warbucks decides to help Annie look for her parents by offering a reward for those with any information leading to their whereabouts. Miss Hannigan on the other hand, in her conniving and evil ways, tries to ruin Annie’s search by having her brother, Rooster, and his girlfriend, Lily, pretend to be her parents so they can stake claim on the reward money. Before long, the truth about Annie’s parents’ death is revealed and Miss Hannigan’s crew is immediately arrested. All ends happily ever after when Annie is adopted and becomes an official part of the Warbucks family.

“Annie” had a total of 2,377 performances its first run and won the 1977 Tony Award for Best Musical as well as Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Actress in a Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design and Best Choreography, according to the Broadway musical’s Web site. “Annie” also won the Theatre World Award and several Drama Desk Awards in 1977. The production hit the stage again in 1997 with a total of 239 performances.

Along with the phenomenal popularity of the Broadway play, two movies were created to give the public another opportunity to adore Annie’s character. The first released in 1982 starred Carol Burnett and Albert Finney. The second movie starring Alicia Morton and Kathy Bates premiered in 1999.

In this production, “Annie” is making a national tour starring Amanda Balon in the lead role, David Barton as Oliver Warbucks and Lynn Andrews as Miss Hannigan.

Abby Stevens, who plays Grace Farrell, Warbucks’ secretary, has also held the role of Alice in “Alice in Wonderland,” Catherine in “Pippin,” Susan in “Company,” and Hope in “Urinetown.” The Daily sat down with her and had the opportunity to ask her a few questions.

AMUSE: What is your character like?

Abby Stevens: “When things start to go wrong, she knows. She has that woman’s intuition.” She is very organized, graceful and is well on top of herself and what is going on around her.

AMUSE: What’s it been like being a part of the “Annie” production?

AS: Being a part of the “Annie” production has surpassed her expectations as she still has one year left at Pace University to earn her degree in musical theater. “I actually wasn’t even planning on entering the professional world.”

AMUSE: How do you prepare before going on stage?

AS: “I generally have something light to eat before I go to the theater,” Stevens said. “I warm up vocally and usually sing through a few songs on my iPod.”

AMUSE: What do you like about being on a national tour?

AS: “One of the coolest things is we have different vendors dress us between scenes and I like to talk to them to get their stories. A lot of them are former actors and directors. They come from all different walks of life.”

AMUSE: What is your favorite scene in the show?

AS: The Christmas scene because it is very joyful and everything has been resolved. “It’s a happy Christmas scene. Who doesn’t love that?”

AMUSE: What age group do you think the show is tailored toward?

AS: “I think the love between a father and daughter is something everyone can relate to.”

AMUSE: Is there anything special about this national tour?

AS: With the success of the Broadway play in 1977, Stevens said the cast has been fortunate to be able to work with lyricist and director Martin Charnin, who is the original creator of “Annie” and has won numerous awards since 1977 for his work. “He has really good insight to how the show works.”

AMUSE: What do you attribute as the success of the show?

AS: “It’s timeless, a story of hope and love and family. A lot of other plays don’t have that.” Stevens said the play has been successful for so long because of the strong family aspect, the time period the play takes place in, and from the direction Charnin has given.