Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) is proud to announce that the U.S. National Tour of “Annie,” will play Nov. 4 and 5, 2016, at the college’s Visual and Performing Arts Center (VPAC) Theater. In an exclusive deal, the “Annie” cast and crew will tech, rehearse, and perform preview shows at OCCC before launching the third year of their nationwide tour.

Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of “Annie” is a brand-new physical incarnation of the iconic Tony Award®-winning original.

“Annie” has a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. All three authors received 1977 Tony Awards® for their work. Choreography is by Liza Gennaro, who has incorporated selections from her father Peter Gennaro’s 1977 Tony Award®-winning choreography.

This classic family musical tells the story of the optimistic orphan Annie, her ragamuffin dog Sandy and her relentless determination to find her parents; Annie positively believes they are still alive and will someday return to claim her. When Annie ends up in the luxurious home of the richest man in America during the Depression-era, self-assured billionaire Oliver Warbucks, both Annie and Warbucks discover a new meaning of family and love. But when Daddy Warbucks asks to adopt Annie, instead, Annie asks for the powerful man to help her find her real parents and he agrees. In the meantime, wretched orphanage matron, Miss Hannigan, Miss Hannigan’s scoundrel brother Rooster and his airheaded girlfriend Lily scheme to kidnap Annie and take the offered reward for themselves. Fortunately, this timeless tale has a happy ending for Annie, Sandy, Daddy Warbucks and the whole gang.

The beloved score for “Annie” includes “Maybe,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You” and the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.”

“Annie” will play at 8 p.m. Nov. 4 and 5. Tickets for the show range from $45 to $75 and are on sale now at tickets.occc.edu, by phone at 405-682-7579, or at the Cultural Programs box office located in the VPAC Theater lobby. For more information, contact OCCC Cultural Programs at 405-682-7579.

OCCC anticipates another great season of popular performances in the VPAC Theater with its 2016-2017 Performing Arts Series. The season includes shows such as Tony Award-winning “Once: The Musical,” the legendary Ben Vereen in “Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen,” and Broadway’s longest running solo play “Defending the Caveman,” and many more. For more information about the Performing Arts Series, visit /pas.

Oklahoma City Community College opened the doors to the 1,049-seat Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater in early 2014. It features a large atrium with three-story high windows, state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment and will allow the college to host larger Broadway-style touring productions. The Visual and Performing Arts Center also houses an art gallery and academic center featuring a rehearsal room, library, six classrooms, seven studios, seven labs and faculty offices.

OCCC enrolls more than 20,000 students and has more than 90,000 participants in its various community programs annually. OCCC offers a full range of associate degree programs that prepare students to transfer to baccalaureate institutions while other degree and certificate programs prepare students for immediate employment. At OCCC, students receive a quality education with small class sizes, dedicated professors and leadership opportunities. Students can choose from more than 80 major fields of study and participate in any of the 40+ clubs and organizations. For more information about OCCC, visit www.occc.edu.