It makes you want curly red hair. It makes you want to climb on top of your desk, throw up your arms and belt out a tune. Or it may just make you want a ridiculously wealthy man to lavish gifts upon you.

Whatever your reaction to the beloved musical “Annie,” one thing is highly likely; the Whidbey Playhouse’s rendition will draw plenty of giggles and “awws” from your lips.

“Annie,” directed by Rusty Hendrix, opens at the Playhouse this Friday, June 3. The musical is based on an old comic strip, “Little Orphan Annie.” It takes place during the Great Depression and tells the story of a young, brave and boisterous girl in Mrs. Hannigan’s orphanage who is chosen to spend two weeks at Christmas with billionaire Oliver Warbucks.

The musical is traditionally performed during holiday seasons, but Hendrix said when she was approached about doing the play in the winter, she simply had too much on her plate.

“We still wanted to do it, so we’re doing it now,” she said.

Musically, the show is carried by the strong voices of Daddy Warbucks and Miss Hannigan. Warbucks is played by Oak Harbor resident Paul Kuzina, owner of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service. Kuzina’s acting career began in the early 1990s, and he’s been on stages throughout Washington.

“My singing and acting abilities are God-given gifts,” Kuzina said in his actor’s biography. “Inasmuch as I love the applause of the audience, nothing means more to me than sensing one nod of approval from the Creator God who stooped down to bless me with these talents.”

Warbucks’ gold-digging, dishonest admirer Miss Hannigan is played by Mary Kay Hallen who’s been involved in theatre since sixth grade and acting since birth. Hannigan said her father told her she used to dramatically faint in her playpen when she was a tot just to get attention.

The leading role of Annie is shared between two adorable red-headed islanders, 11-year-old Shelby Montoya and 9-year-old Reed Richards.

Shelby said she really liked the movie “Annie” was she younger and was excited for the opportunity to wear that infamous red dress. She made her debut at the playhouse in 2009 when she played a monkey in a youth production of “Seussical the Musical,” but the orphan will be her first leading role.

“I had to go over the second act like a million thousand times,” Shelby said.

Reed said it was her older sister who encouraged her to go out for the part. Though she’s never been on the playhouse stage before, Reed had no trouble singing in front of her first audience at a full rehearsal last week. She said her favorite song to perform is “It’s the Hard Knock Life.”

“It’s really fun because you get to act like something and someone you’re not,” she said.

Hendrix has the two Annies are scheduled for every other performance. She said they’ve been a pleasure to work with and take direction exceptionally well.

“They’re amazing,” Hendrix said. “These girls are like little sponges. They soak everything up.”

Though last week’s rehearsal saw a few stubborn sets, missed lines and misbehaving sound effects, the cast was able to pull off the performance. And with another two weeks of practice under their belts, Friday night’s performance is sure to shine.

It may be a Christmas story, but a class musical like “Annie” is always in season. So go ahead, get up on that desk and sing out loud. You may find yourself believing the sun really will come out tomorrow. Or at least make a few cameo appearances between showers.