( EW.com ) -- To play the bubbly , optimistic redhead at the center of `` Annie , '' 11-year-old Lilla Crawford does n't have to reach far . Fresh off the announcement today that Crawford will be headlining the Broadway revival of the classic musical ( due in fall 2012 ) , EW caught up with the bright , buoyant young star before she tackles the iconic role as Broadway 's favorite orphan . Entertainment Weekly : Where were you when you found out you got the part ? Lilla Crawford : Well , my manager called up and said that we had to be at the agent 's office to do a video audition , and so we came over and he said it was going to be an interview [ about ] dogs . It was just going to be questions about dogs , so he started asking me a couple of questions about them , and then he finally said , `` How does it feel to be 'Annie ' on Broadway ? '' And I was like , `` What ? What the -- ? '' And he said , `` You 're going to be 'Annie ' on Broadway ! '' And I was like , `` Really ! ? '' That 's what happened . When I found out , oh my gosh , my heart just stopped . I was so amazed and I was so excited to start . EW : Were your parents there with you ? Crawford : My mom was there ! So was my sister , and all of the agents . They were really excited as well . Everyone that I could tell was there . I was supposed to keep it a secret , so I did n't call up anyone , but I wished that I could ! EW : What was the audition process like ? Crawford : Well , when I found out that they were doing a revival of `` Annie , '' I decided to audition just for fun and see how it turned out . So I auditioned and I got a callback , after callback , after callback . And I just wanted to be a part of the show ; I did n't care what role . But I got about five or six callbacks until the last callback , then I got it . EW : Were you ever in a production of `` Annie '' growing up ? Crawford : Yes , I was in another production of `` Annie . '' It was an all-kids production and it was in a little community theater . I think I was about 8 or 9 , and I actually played Bert Healy , so it 's kind of funny . EW : Were you a big fan of the movie ? Crawford : Yes . I 've seen the movie before , and I 've actually seen the show , so yeah , I really did like that show a lot before I became a part of it . EW : What part of being in the show are you most looking forward to ? Crawford : Now that I get to be in it , I 'm really looking forward to everything , but mostly I 'm really looking forward to working with the dogs , and everyone else ! I do like dogs a lot . EW : If you could meet any Broadway star , who would you pick ? Crawford : To meet anyone on Broadway ? I do like Sutton Foster and Kristin Chenoweth a lot , so it would be really fun to like , go to lunch with the two of them . It sounds crazy but ... maybe it 'll happen ! I do n't know ! But I do also like Raul Esparza and Matthew Broderick . Those are really good ones , too . EW : How do you think the message of `` Annie '' will translate for other kids growing up today who might see the show ? Crawford : In the Depression especially , I think you learn to face problems and not run away from them . [ You have to ] always have hope for tomorrow and the sun will come out tomorrow ! And if you have a bad day , just always think that it 'll be a new one and a good one the next day . See the full article at EW.com . CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved .
Lilla Crawford will star in `` Annie '' on Broadway in fall 2012 . Crawford : `` I got about five or six callbacks until the last callback came from a woman who was very excited to be playing Annie. '' Crawford : `` I 'm really looking forward to working with the dogs ''