The sun’ll come out tomorrow as “Annie,” a musical for kids of all ages, bursts onto the stage of Stephens Auditorium.

“It is a very popular musical,” said Sandy Clarke, Performing Arts Coordinator at the Iowa State Center. “We knew it would draw a large audience here.”

Annie is well-known for both runs on Broadway and the popular movie version of the musical.

“‘Annie’ celebrated its 20th anniversary in 1997,” Clarke said. “This inspired a revival of the original work.”

Martin Charnin, the original Broadway director and creator, is directing this tour of Annie, which stars Meredith Anne Bull in the title role of the charming and witty orphan.

Annie was originally adapted from Harold Gray’s comic strip, “Little Orphan Annie.” The comic, set in an orphanage during the Great Depression, ran in the New York Daily News beginning in 1924.

The musical was true to the spirit and spunk of the cartoon, including the mean and nasty Miss Hannigan and the cuddly Sandy. The musical gave the world many works of music, including the song “Tomorrow,” which is one of the best known songs in musical history. In this piece the little orphan Annie proclaims goodness and the hope in the days to come.

“Annie” has claimed its fame as it had one of the longest runs on Broadway with more than 2000 performances. The show received seven Tony Awards in 1977.

The performance of “Annie” in Ames is being sponsored by the McFarland Clinic.

“We chose Annie because it is family-oriented,” said Shelley Goecke, Marketing and Public Relations Director for McFarland Clinic.

In addition, the McFarland Clinic is sponsoring a local group, The Kanga Kids Party Entertainment, before the show.

“They are offering some balloon art and word find activities that are associated with ‘Annie,'” Goecke said.

Michelle King, sales coordinator for Iowa State Center, said that the pre-show events should be a lot of fun for the younger members of the audience.

“[The Kanga Kids Party Entertainment] will add an additional element to the show. The kids get an opportunity to interact and to have fun,” Goecke said.

The pre-show entertainment starts tonight at 6:45 in the Celebrity Caf‚, which is located on the ground floor of Stephens Auditorium. The show itself starts at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now at the Iowa State Center and through all Ticketmaster outlets.