Photo: Virginia Sherwood/NBC

ANNIE LIVE! – Pictured: (l-r) Celina Smith as Annie, Harry Connick, Jr. as Daddy Warbucks, Nicole Scherzinger as Grace Farrell – (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)

Annie Live!went off without a hitch on Thursday, ultimately winning over viewers during its three-hour run.

Live televised musical adaptions are not a new phenomenon asGrease,HairsprayandThe Wizpreviously made a splash on the small screen with star-studded casts.

In many cases, these live productions — includingThe Sound of Music,Peter PanandThe Little Mermaid— have generated mixed reviews from critics and fans alike. But NBC’s production ofAnnieon Thursday — starring newcomerCelina Smithas well asHarry Connick Jr.,Taraji P. Henson,Nicole Scherzinger,Tituss BurgessandMegan Hilty— was a big hit.

Viewers largely provided positive feedback for the musical on Twitter. As one fansaidAnnie Live!was “definitely the best live show in recent memory,” a second viewercalledthe production “outstanding.”

Fans also praised specific performances from the all-star cast.

As Henson, 51, performed “Little Girls,” one Twitter usersaidthe actress was “EATIN [sic] THIS ROLE UP.” Another viewer called Smith “amazing” as she belted out the lyrics to “Maybe,” while a third fan said the young starlet “without a doubt was born to slay this role.”

Scherzinger, 43, “did such a wonderful job playing Grace,” another fantweeted.

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Ahead of the big day, Smith opened up about what “a blessing” it was to be a part of NBC’sAnnieproduction.

“Being introduced toAnnieis probably the best things that ever happened to me acting-wise,” she toldtheGrioon Wednesday. “And I am so excited and so grateful that I’m able to share this role!”

Henson also told the publication that appearing in the live musical marks her return to the stage, which she called “home.”

Virginia Sherwood/NBC

ANNIE LIVE! – Pictured: (l-r) Nicole Scherzinger as Grace Farrell, Harry Connick, Jr. as Daddy Warbucks, Celina Smith as Annie, Taraji P. Henson as Miss Hannigan, Tituss Burgess as Rooster Hannigan, Megan Hilty as Lily St. Regis – (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)

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ANNIE LIVE! – Pictured: (l-r) Megan Hilty as Lily St. Regis, Taraji P. Henson as Miss Hannigan, Titus Burgess as Rooster Hannigan – (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)

“The stage is a spiritual place for me, it really is,” she added. “I feel more at home in a theater on a stage than I do with the foreign cold camera looking at me.”

Annie Live!premiered Thursday on NBC.

source: people.com