Young Milburn Actress Stars in "Annie" at Walnut Street Theatre

Leapin’ Lizards! ANNIE is at the Walnut Street Theatre this holiday season, starring Tahlia Ellie, a young actress from the Milburn-Short Hills region and a student at Milburn Middle School.

ANNIE is a spunky orphan in 1930s New York City determined to find her parents. In one fun-filled adventure after another, ANNIE foils Miss Hannigan's evil schemes, befriends President Roosevelt and finds a new home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

Tahlia Ellie plays the title role in all weeknight performances of the musical. Annie marks her Walnut debut, but she is no stranger to the stage. She began performing at 5 years old and hasn’t stopped since. In 2015, she performed off-Broadway in Pipeline Theatre’s production of The Gray Man. This summer she performed as Pepper (and covered Kate and July) in Westchester Broadway Theatre’s production of Annie. She has also been a part of the Summer Conservatory Program at Paper Mill Playhouse for the past few summers.

Ellie has performed at Carnegie Hall with the Broadway Youth Ensemble and has recently gathered together singers and founded a group called Singing for a Smile, to perform at local nursing homes, hospitals, and fundraising events.

Ellie is also a member of the Theatre School at Walnut Street Theatre, along with all 25 of her orphan cast-mates.

ANNIE runs at the Walnut now through January 7. For more information visit www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org.

[Photo credit: Tahlia Ellie and Sunny, Photo by Mark Garvin; Photo 2: Paul Schoeffler, Tahlia Ellie, and Rebecca Robbins, Photo by Mark Garvin]