If you’re looking for a movie to see in theaters during winter break and just so happen to enjoy heartwarming, uplifting musicals about little orphan girls (or just want to be entertained), “Annie,” a new movie rendition of the popular musical coming to theaters on Dec. 19, could be an option for you. While keeping many parts of the plot the same as the original story, the new movie adds a modern twist to the well-known story about the redheaded orphan girl.           

Many people, such as junior Jessica Abshire, who portrayed Annie in a prior production, are already familiar with the popular musical.

“(I’ve been Annie) just once, but I’ve been in (the production) twice. It was an interesting thing because there are so many movies over it and everything, and then you get to be in it in real life,” She said. “(I’ve) also watched it in classes and stuff. And my mom loves musicals, so she’ll want me to go with her and see (them).”

Seth VanNatter, “Annie” enthusiast and sophomore, has seen both the musical and the movie many times. He said that he loves the story of a little orphan girl getting everything she wants in the world. Director of choirs Kathrine Kouns agrees with this, as she has seen “Annie” with her two daughters, as well as when she was young.

She said, “When I was a little girl growing up, obviously you know, you just get addicted to ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life,’ and there are just very memorable little songs that everyone knows. When I was younger, I found it very entertaining.”

Along with the famous plot about the redhead orphan, many people have grown to love all of the characters. Among these favorite personalities is usually that of Agatha Hannigan, more commonly known as Miss Hannigan. In “Annie,” she is the alcoholic caretaker of the orphanage that Annie lives in. Despite her role as the main antagonist, she is also known for the comedic part of the plot. In the forthcoming movie, actress Cameron Diaz will play the role of Miss Hannigan.

“I love Miss Hannigan,” Abshire said. “I don’t know why, she’s just so sassy. And she always pretends to be mean, but she’s actually pretty nice to (the orphans).”

The upcoming movie has some changes that will give it a modern flair. While VanNatter said he was excited for the new script, Abshire and Kouns said they were worried about what the changes will do to the plot compared to the original story.

Kouns said, “It sounds like they are definitely going to take a completely different direction with the story. Anything that just exposes people to more movie musicals, I am always for. I think it’s great for people to just be aware of musicals and singing and dancing, and for our culture to get exposed to that. But I also really like tradition, and I like for things to stay true for what they originally were intended to be. So some of the modifications that it looks like they have made, from seeing the previews, don’t necessarily go along with what I would probably love. I’m sure I’ll still see it, but I think I’ll probably still be drawn to my old standard.”

Abshire said that she thinks that because the movie is set in the modern day, it will be different from the original plot.

She said, “They won’t have the whole set up of the time during the recession, so they won’t have that whole background of ‘Oh everything is going so bad,’ so they don’t have that whole plot of the story. Maybe, that could take something away. But at the same time, we have to keep in mind that there are also some problems that are going on today too.”

The new “Annie” movie will include many character changes as well, from Oliver Warbucks’ motivations to Annie not being the typical redhead. While Abshire and VanNatter both said that they don’t mind Annie’s hair not being red, VanNatter doesn’t like the portrayal of Warbucks.

“I’m most excited about Annie’s hair because it’s just awesome. And it’s not the stereotypical redhead that everyone is used to,” VanNatter said. “I’m also happy they changed the races. I think they did it because everyone’s used to, ‘Oh she’s a redhead who gets her dreams to come true,’ and they want other races to identify with this story. However, I don’t like that Daddy Warbucks has become more selfish and uses (Annie) for publicity. I also dislike that his name changed to Will Stacks.”

Abshire said she thinks the new movie will be cool to see, as the modern twists will be something new for the audience and those who already love “Annie.”

She said, “It’s just a modern twist; it doesn’t matter what people look like. You can still tell the story no matter what. The story can be used in so many different ways, other than just having the stereotype of (what Annie should look like). It can be told in many different ways, and still get the point across to the audience.”