‘LITTLE GIRLS’—Sally Struthers as Miss Hannigan reacts to the orphans in Cabrillo Music Theatre’s production of “Annie,” which closes Sun., Oct. 23. ED KRIEGER/Special to the Acorn When Sally Struthers plays the crotchety, cranky orphanage matron Aggie Hannigan in the musical “ Annie,” one gets the feeling her portrayal is influenced by her years acting opposite Carroll O’Connor (as irascible bigot Archie Bunker) on TV’s “All in the Family.”

Struthers is always a joy to watch, but her performance is just one of many exceptional portrayals turned in by the cast of Cabrillo Music Theatre’s “Annie” in its two-weekend run of the classic Broadway show.

In a “ talk- back” session after Saturday afternoon’s performance, Struthers was asked about her “All in the Family” co-stars.

She related how her father had passed away not long before the series began in 1971, and for the duration of the run, O’Connor became a second father to her. (She confesses to calling him “Daddy” even when they were not in character.) After O’Connor died in 2001, Struthers was so distraught she could never bring herself to watch reruns of the show.

As O’Connor did Bunker, Struthers gives the sodden, tyrannical Miss Hannigan a dollop of humanity, emphasizing her loneliness and longing for male companionship. Anyone will do, as she drunkenly flirts with everyone from the laundryman to the neighborhood cop-on-thebeat.

Miss Hannigan dodders about in a drunken haze as if her shoes are two sizes too small; it’s no wonder she detests the motley group of orphans (“Little Girls”) who terrorize her for sport.

The leader of the orphans is, of course, Annie, played by the brilliant Quinn Martin. At 12 years old, Martin has spent much of her young career playing the red-headed, bright-eyed optimist (this is her third turn), but by now, she’s fully fleshed out her character.

Martin’s Annie is feistier and spunkier, not just another orphan, but a leader—one who risks Miss Hannigan’s wrath by escaping to search for her long-lost parents in the dangerous New York City streets and dank Hoovervilles during the Depression.

Her cheery solos on “Maybe” and “Tomorrow” are but two highlights in Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin’s pandemically infectious score. (The only way you might walk out of the theater not humming is because there are too many catchy songs to choose from.)

The orphans are all lovable, sing well and dance terrifically (plaudits to choreographer Heather Castillo) and include Kristina Van Horst, Jessica Quill, Olivia Chambers, Kaitlyn Dorff, Rachel Albrecht, Natalie Esposito, Natalie Jefferson and Antonia Vivino.

Two Actors Equity performers join Struthers in the show: Norman Large as the famously bald- pated billionaire Oliver Warbucks and Dink O’Neal as small-time bunco artist Rooster Hannigan (Aggie’s no-account brother).

Warbucks’ primary solution to end the Depression is to have his own factories saved, but Annie’s sunny presence not only melts his heart but inspires a frustrated President Franklin D. Roosevelt ( the avuncular Ronald Rezac) to instigate his New Deal.

Large exposes Warbucks’ soft side, most notably in the beautiful waltz “Something Was Missing.”

O’Neal’s Rooster is a cartoon villain come alive.

His pas de trois with Miss Hannigan and floozy Lily St. Regis (Noelle Marion) on “Easy Street” is joyous decadence personified.

Warbucks’ faithful secretary Grace Farrell is attractively played by Christanna Rowader, while British butler Drake is played by Australian actor David Gilchrist.

Other familiar Cabrillo faces dot the landscape in multiple roles, including Farley Cadena, Tessa Grady and Gloria Bennett. Even Sandy the dog is played by a veteran “actor”— Oliver, a rescue animal trained by Bill Berloni that has been playing the role across the country since 2008.

Ilana Eden conducted the excellent studio orchestra, and costumer Christine Gibson dressed the cast in garb befitting of the period.

“Annie” finishes its run this Sun., Oct. 23. For tickets, call (800) 745-3000.