Musical with a preteen title character

The answer to this crossword question is ‘ANNIE.’

Annie is a popular Broadway musical that premiered in 1977, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and book by Thomas Meehan. The story is based on the comic strip ‘Little Orphan Annie’ by Harold Gray and centers around the life of an 11-year-old orphan girl named Annie in 1930s New York City. Annie dreams of finding her parents and her chance comes when billionaire businessman Oliver Warbucks takes her in during Christmas. The musical is known for its memorable songs, including ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life,’ and has been adapted into several films and stage productions over the years. Overall, Annie is a heartwarming story of hope, perseverance, and the power of friendship and family.