The 20th Anniversary production of the hit musical “Annie” found its way to Stephens Thurday night. The auditorium was packed with people of all ages who sat anxiously awaiting for some movement from the dark stage.

Finally, the lights dimmed and the music from “Tomorrow” filled the air. After much anticipation, “Annie” had begun.

Almost everyone has seen at least one version of the musical. To make a certain show special to its audience on any given night takes a lot of determination, especially when the show is so well known. This tour did a fantastic job of doing just that on its one- night visit to Ames.

The young actress chosen to play the title role of Annie was Meredith Anne Bull. Her voice was as pure and clear as it could be. It was refreshing to hear an Annie who actually sounded like a child instead of a 40-year-old opera singer trapped in a pre-teen body. Bull was her own unique Annie and added her own flair to the popular part.

The other orphans did a great job of annoying the ever mean and habitually drunk Miss Hannigan, played by Victoria Oscar. Oscar brilliantly acted the New York Orphanage mistress, complete with many sips of whisky and her hoarse voice proclaiming, “It’s medicine!”

The set was designed by Kenneth Foy, whose skillfully constructed pieces swiftly moved from the orphanage to Oliver Warbucks’ mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York to the White House in Washington, D.C. A lot of set pieces were on wheels so they could be pulled off stage in a matter of seconds without having to close the curtain.

The light design of this run of “Annie” was masterfully constructed by John-Paul Fzczepanfki.

See-through scrim material was used when action was going on back stage, especially in the scenes at Warbucks’ home.

Patrick J. Cogan played Warbucks, the billionaire turned father of little orphan Annie. His rich baritone voice was like melted butter on hot popcorn. Especially impressive was the way the Cogan would go from being powerful and withdrawn to open and warm with Annie.

Martin Charnin, the original Broadway director and creator, directed this tour of Annie. Charnin has much to be proud of. When a show is powerful enough to touch people’s hearts night after night, his creative genius needs to be commended.

Not an unhappy face could be found leaving Stephens. Grandparents, toddlers, families and many college students wishing to escape studying for finals found an escape from everyday life and the courage to chase their dreams. Cheesy as that may seem, Annie, ever the optimist, left the Ames audience with the hope for better days — days that are “only a day away.”