A quick trip to Stratford Festival’s performance of “Annie” produced one of the most magical moments in the life of my 10-year-old — his introduction to the song, “Tomorrow.”

It reminded me of my reaction to hearing it for the first time in the 1982 film, which starred Aileen Quinn as the moppet in a red dress with a white collar.

Column: The Stratford Festival of theater rediscovers a beating Canadian heart

Annie’s adventures and antics began 101 years ago this week in the New York Daily News.

Here are highlights from her journey that probably was inspired by a folk tale, then found itself in the pages of the Tribune before the curly-haired character burst from the newspaper onto Broadway and then the big screen.

1885

The rhyme “Little Orphant Annie” by “Hoosier Poet” James Whitc

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