One of the best musicals to come down the pike is now playing at the Redondo Beach Center for the Performing Arts! "Annie Get Your Gun" is simply one of the most impressive productions you'll ever see and is not to be missed! So grab your boots, hop in the "buggy" and trot on over and catch a show that has it all; great singing, amazing dance numbers, romance, action, and plenty of humor! The original book by Dorothy and Herbert Fields is loosely based on the early years in the life of sharpshooter Annie Oakley when she joins Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show,

Ultimately, "Little Sure Shot" (the name given her by her “adopted” father, Chief Sitting Bull) becomes the star attraction of the show. But more importantly, the “Annie Get Your Gun” follows the story of Annie's love for fellow performer, the reputed best sharpshooter in the world, Frank Butler

Fields had in mind to write the lyrics as well as the book and had chosen Jerome Kern to write the music. Kern’s premature death changed things and Rodgers and Hammerstein (surprisingly not interested in taking it on themselves after their recent successes with "Oklahoma" and "Carousel,” but choosing instead to produce their first musical) replaced Kern with Irving Berlin. The choice was a good one and satisfactory to everyone. One of Kern's often quoted comments was "Irving Berlin has no place in American music. He is American music."

As the story opens, the famous Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show is having a little financial problem. They are going broke! Not only that, they are having to compete with that scruffy Pawnee Bill's troupe almost everywhere they go. In fact, they are almost tripping over each other. In an effort to gain some positive attention to Buffalo Bill's Show, Manager Charlie Davenport (Doug Bilitch) arranges for a shooting match with a $100 prize to any challenger who can outshoot the show's champion sharpshooter, Frank Butler (Kevin Bailey). Enter unkempt Annie Oakley (Misty Cotton) who has made an agreement with Foster Wilson (Jeffrey Landman), the local hotel owner, to shoot against the suave womanizing Butler. Tough as she is, Annie is instantly smitten with handsome, virile Frank and eventually goes out of her way to show him that she can be the kind of woman he prefers, all scrubbed "dimpled and rosy.” But when it comes to shooting, she quips, "I never miss,” asserting she can "shoot the fuzz off a peach." However, Frank doesn't intend to lose, especially to a woman, and he has the medals to prove it. It seems his famous name is only matched by his whopping ego.

Conceived and written by Dorothy Fields (a lyricist of over 400 theatre songs), "Annie Get Your Gun" is a stunning achievement and features a strong female leading character. With Ethel Merman in mind when she wrote it, "Annie" opened at the Imperial Theatre in 1946 and began a long and successful run. It was the biggest hit of Merman's career. She returned to the role for the revival at Lincoln Center in 1966. The show's popularity has spanned more than 60 years with such memorable songs as "There's No Business Like Show Business,” "Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)" and "Doin' What Comes Natur'lly.” The show, as well as the musical score, was updated in 1999 for its revival with Bernadette Peters.
The CLOSBC production sets have been kept simple and they serve their purpose admirably by focusing the audience attention directly on the characters and not the scenery around them. Though the cast showed no problems entering and exiting the stage during the performance, director Jon Engstrom admitted a cautious fear during a pre-show interview. The cleverly-designed set allowed only three entrance points from backstage for the 22 members of the cast. Apparently, the fears existed only in Engstrom’s mind, as opening night blocking was pulled off flawlessly.

As for the acting, the lead is very ably handled by Misty Cotton, whose strong performance is in keeping with her history of admirable stage accomplishments. These include the role of Ellen in Broadway's "Miss Saigon" and starring opposite Donny Osmond on the national tour of the smash hit "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.” She also appeared as Nancy in "Oliver" and most recently in "Sophisticated Ladies" at CLOSBC. Her vivid and convincing portrayal as Annie shows her range while showcasing her singing and dancing abilities. Her physical appearance makes her the perfect choice for the role –Cotton looks like everyone’s idea of Annie Oakley, complete with red hair and a not-too-overplayed Southern accent.

Kevin Bailey also has roots in Broadway productions, appearing as both Frank Butler and Sitting Bull opposite Bernadette Peters in the Tony Award winning revival of "Annie Get Your Gun.” He also “made his mark” as Scar in "The Lion King.” Bailey’s tough good looks made him a very compelling Frank.

Heather Lee gives a performance to die for as Dolly Tate, the "would-be" woman in Frank Butler's life. Her portrayal of an egotistical, husband-seeking "thirty-si...uh, two-year-old" woman is exceedingly funny, as were many of the lines uttered by David Kirk Grant as Chief Sitting Bull.

Excellent performances were given by the entire cast, including Jeff Austin as Buffalo Bill Cody, Travis Davidson as Tommy Keeler and Lisaun Whittingham as Winnie Tate. Mac, the Prop Man was played by Casey Garritano; Annie's two little sisters were portrayed by Chloe O'Shannon and Sarah Brown, along with Brendan Brady as Annie's little brother, Jake. The ensemble cast was equally first-rate.

Jon Engstrom directed and choreographed with the cast performing top-notch precision routines, dancing and acrobatics that are a sight to see in this visually stunning show choc full of wonderful tunes. Musical direction is by Dennis Castellano. Executive Producer is James A. Blackman.
"Annie Get Your Gun" is now playing at the newly remodeled Redondo Beach Center for the Performing Arts, on the corner of Aviation and Manhattan Beach Blvd in Redondo Beach. The play is running through May 20 with performances Tuesday-Saturday at 8 p.m., matinees on Saturday (May 12 and 19) at 2 p.m., and Sunday (May 13 and 20) at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $40-$60 and can be purchased by calling 310-372-4477 or online at www.civiclightopera.com. ER