Andrea McArdle is an American singer and actress, best known for for originating the role of Annie in the Broadway Musical, Annie.

Andrea McArdle was born in Philadelphia on November 5, 1963. While studying dance in her early childhood, young Andrea was spotted by a talent agent who got her work in a number of television commercials, eventually leading to her two-and-a-half year stint on the soap opera Search For Tomorrow. Andrea McArdle also appeared on Al Alberts Showcase, a local televised talent show in Philadelphia.

Andrea McArdle’s big break came in 1977 when she was pulled from the chorus of orphans to replace the original Annie in the Broadway Musical Annie, Kristen Vigard, during the show’s Connecticut tryout run.

The show was commercially successful and Annie became the youngest performer ever to be nominated for a Tony Award as Best Lead Actress in a Musical.

Alexis Kalehoff was born on July 24, 1988 to Ed Kalehoff and Andrea McArdle. Alexis kalehoff followed her mum’s stead and is best known for Blues Birthday Adventure (1988) and Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade (2002).

Alexis Kalehoff also continued a family tradition of Broadway Babies as she made her Broadway debut in Les Miserables on Monday, August 19, 1996.