Andrea McArdle, a Tony-nominated actress, known for originating the role of Annie in Broadway’s “Annie, is gearing up for Aspen Theatre’s upcoming production of “Love, Loss and What I Wore. She is set to perform alongside four other Tony-nominated actresses. McArdle first rose to fame at the age of 13, when she became the youngest actor to receive a Tony-nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Annie.

In a recent interview with Aspen Daily News, McArdle shared stories of her early career, including how she landed the role of Annie. Having done several commercials and featuring on a soap opera titled “Search For Tomorrow, she attended an audition for a play called “Orphan Annie on a whim and went on to nab the lead role. Despite her early success, she explained that her career was not always her sole focus, as she had a passion for her family as well. Over the years, she continued to perform in Broadway shows and regional theaters, while raising her daughter, Alexis Kalehoff, who is also a Broadway performer.

McArdle shared that she has enjoyed playing iconic roles in “Cabaret, “Evita, “Grease, and “Beauty and the Beast. She recalled the unforgettable experience of working with Liberace in Las Vegas and the opportunity to bring something unique to well-known roles.

In discussing her upcoming role in “Love, Loss and What I Wore, McArdle confessed her own personal connection with clothes and how they can serve as armor and power. She emphasized her admiration for the play’s co-playwright, Nora Ephron, and her ability to create impactful, women-centric narratives.

“Love, Loss, and What I Wore also stars Sandy Duncan, Krysta Rodriguez, Saycon Sengbloh, and Sarah Stiles. The stage play adaptation from the book by Ilene Beckerman was penned by Norah Ephron and her sister Della. Visit theatreaspen.org for more information.