Review: ANNIE GET YOUR GUN at Players Centre

Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun is one of those musicals that can boast a myriad of iconic songs. From the beginning number to the end of the show you will hear toe-tapping show tunes we all love such as, "There's No Business Like Show Business," "You Can't Get A Man With A Gun," "They Say It's Wonderful," "I Got the Sun in the Morning," and "Anything You Can Do." The 1946 Broadway production starring Ethel Merman as Annie was such a hit it spawned film and television revivals and opened the door for more Broadway and touring versions. Other notable "Annies" were Bernadette Peters and Reba McEntire.

Many people don't know the musical is a fictionalized version of the real life of sharpshooter Annie Oakley who starred in Buffalo Bill's Wild West shows. Taking a bit of creative license for entertainment purposes, the story also touches on her romance with sharpshooter Frank E. Butler. Frank used to be the star of Wild Bill's shows until Annie innocently took the limelight. The timeless storyline of female equality is never more poignant than it is today. The newer version of the musical offers a toned down womanizer in Frank Butler that makes his character much more palatable for today's audience.

Eliza Morehouse steps into character and embodies the perky and tenacious tomboy Annie Oakley. Her voice is the perfect match for some of the great numbers in this show. When Annie catches the attention of Buffalo Bill (Thomas Roohr), with her sharpshooting skills and is asked to join his Wild West Show, she becomes quite the attraction. As star of the Wild West Show Annie finds herself as the center of attention and stealing the limelight away from Frank Butler (Mark Athridge), with whom she develops a crush. Frank's male ego is threatened although he appreciates her talents and starts to see her in a new light as she cleans up nicely and tries to win his heart. "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun" becomes her torch song and "Anything You Can Do" is their lovable "fight song".

Thomas Roohr brings a kind Buffalo Bill to life. Mark Athridge as Frank Butler has a great voice for this part. Amanda Heisey as Dolly Tate is funny and vivacious in her role. I liked Mike Kern as Chief Sitting Bull. He added some humorous Yoda-like wisdom and brought believability to his character. Patrick Tancey as Wild Bill's producer Charlie Davenport portrayed his character well, managing Wild Bill's Show and keeping everyone in line.

Although I felt Director Kathy Junkin's production overall was long and dragged in a few places, she allowed her cast to shine. The production numbers, sets by Jeff Weber and be-jeweled costumes by Tim Bentley held your attention. Charlie Logan's choreography, using every inch of the stage, helped moved the show along.

This production had a large cast that made for a great ensemble. The orchestra, led by Musical Director Alan J. Corey, was also large in number and gave the powerful songs in this production the boost they deserve.

Annie Get Your Gun runs through October 7, 2018. For more information on The Players Centre for Performing Arts visit www.theplayers.org.