Andrea McArdle

Andrea McArdle (born November 5, 1963) is an American singer and actress best known for originating the role of Annie in the Broadway musical Annie. McArdle was born in Philadelphia. While studying dance as a child, she was spotted by a talent agent who got her work in a number of television commercials, which led to her two-and-a-half year stint on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow. She also appeared on Al Alberts Showcase, a local televised talent show in Philadelphia. McArdle's break came in early 1977 when she was pulled from the chorus of orphans to replace Kristen Vigard, the original Annie in the Broadway musical Annie, during rehearsals. The show was a critical and commercial smash, and she became the youngest performer ever to be nominated for a Tony Award as Best Lead Actress in a Musical. She lost to co-star Dorothy Loudon—who played Miss Hannigan—but did receive the Theater World and Outer Critics' Circle Awards for her performance. In April 1978, she opened in London's West End production. She appeared several times on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1977-79, on one occasion accompanied by Liberace. She also appeared more than once on the Mike Douglas Show, singing with Kristy McNichol, Stephanie Mills, Liberace and Don Rickles. She also appeared on Welcome Back Kotter, playing Arnold Horshack's younger sister. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies (1999)

On Sept. 28, 1998, some of the greatest divas in musical theater -- including Marin Mazzie, Judy Kuhn and Audra McDonald -- took the stage at New York City's Carnegie Hall to belt out songs that made them famous. Julie Andrews hosted the event. Showstoppers include ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  William Cosel
CAST:  Julie Andrews  •  Elaine Stritch  •  Liza Minnelli  •  Faith Prince

On Sept. 28, 1998, some of the greatest divas in musical theater -- including Marin Mazzie, Judy Kuhn and Audra McDonald -- took the stage at New York City's Carnegie Hall to belt out songs that made them famous. Julie Andrews hosted the event. Showstoppers include ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  William Cosel
CAST:  Julie Andrews  •  Elaine Stritch  •  Liza Minnelli  •  Faith Prince

Broadway's Lost Treasures (2003)

The golden age of the annual Tony Awards ceremony lasted from 1967 to 1986 — the period during which Alexander H. Cohen and his wife, Hildy Parks, were the producers of the show. This film offers a compilation of performances from Tony Award broadcasts during those ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Christopher A. Cohen
CAST:  Julie Andrews  •  Vivian Blaine  •  Yul Brynner  •  Tommy Tune

The golden age of the annual Tony Awards ceremony lasted from 1967 to 1986 — the period during which Alexander H. Cohen and his wife, Hildy Parks, were the producers of the show. This film offers a compilation of performances from Tony Award broadcasts during those ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Christopher A. Cohen
CAST:  Julie Andrews  •  Vivian Blaine  •  Yul Brynner  •  Tommy Tune

Annie (1999)

Things seem pretty bad for a young girl living a "hard-knock life" in an orphanage. Fed up with the dastardly Miss Hannigan, Annie escapes the run-down orphanage determined to find her mom and dad. It's an adventure that takes her from the cold, mean streets of New ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rob Marshall
CAST:  Kathy Bates  •  Victor Garber  •  Alan Cumming  •  Audra McDonald

Things seem pretty bad for a young girl living a "hard-knock life" in an orphanage. Fed up with the dastardly Miss Hannigan, Annie escapes the run-down orphanage determined to find her mom and dad. It's an adventure that takes her from the cold, mean streets of New ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rob Marshall
CAST:  Kathy Bates  •  Victor Garber  •  Alan Cumming  •  Audra McDonald

Rainbow (1978)

The early life and struggles of Judy Garland (portrayed by Andrea McArdle), and of the film star's trials as a youngster in dealing with the movie studio system that held her back while her mother was forever pushing her to excel.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Melville Shavelson  •  Jackie Cooper
CAST:  Andrea McArdle  •  Don Murray  •  Michael Parks  •  Rue McClanahan

The early life and struggles of Judy Garland (portrayed by Andrea McArdle), and of the film star's trials as a youngster in dealing with the movie studio system that held her back while her mother was forever pushing her to excel.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Melville Shavelson  •  Jackie Cooper
CAST:  Andrea McArdle  •  Don Murray  •  Michael Parks  •  Rue McClanahan

On Broadway (2019)

An all-star cast tells the inside story of the Broadway theater, and how it came back from the brink thanks to innovative work, a new attention to inclusion and a sometimes uneasy balance between art and commerce. Legends of the stage and screen—including Helen ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Oren Jacoby
CAST:  Alec Baldwin  •  Christine Baranski  •  James Corden  •  Alexandra Billings

An all-star cast tells the inside story of the Broadway theater, and how it came back from the brink thanks to innovative work, a new attention to inclusion and a sometimes uneasy balance between art and commerce. Legends of the stage and screen—including Helen ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Oren Jacoby
CAST:  Alec Baldwin  •  Christine Baranski  •  James Corden  •  Alexandra Billings

Christmas at Walt Disney World (1978)

Holiday special from 1978 featuring various Disney characters.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steve Binder
CAST:  Robert Shields  •  Lorene Yarnell Jansson  •  Phyllis Diller  •  Andrea McArdle

Holiday special from 1978 featuring various Disney characters.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steve Binder
CAST:  Robert Shields  •  Lorene Yarnell Jansson  •  Phyllis Diller  •  Andrea McArdle

Listen to Her Heart: The Life and Music of Laurie Beechman (2003)

Documentary on the actress & singer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gaylen Ross
CAST:  Laurie Beechman  •  Rosie O'Donnell  •  Dolly Beechman Schnall  •  Claudia Beechman

Documentary on the actress & singer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gaylen Ross
CAST:  Laurie Beechman  •  Rosie O'Donnell  •  Dolly Beechman Schnall  •  Claudia Beechman

Russian Broadway Shut Down (2014)

Citing homosexual propaganda law, Russian government outlaws theatrical performances ; Russian Broadway community responds.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Walton West
CAST:  Stephanie J. Block  •  Laura Benanti  •  Jonathan Groff  •  Andrew Rannells

Citing homosexual propaganda law, Russian government outlaws theatrical performances ; Russian Broadway community responds.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Walton West
CAST:  Stephanie J. Block  •  Laura Benanti  •  Jonathan Groff  •  Andrew Rannells