"Annie Get Your Gun" Shoots Straight to Your Heart

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents the good old-fashioned American musical, Annie Get Your Gun. This fictionalized version of the life of a sharp-shooting poor country girl Annie Oakley has entertained audiences for decades and continues to do so right in Elmsford, NY.

Annie’s (Devon Perry) ability as a sharpshooter wins her a job in Buffalo Bill's (Gary Lynch) Wild West show. Her brilliant shooting offends the masculinity of the show's star marksman, handsome baritone Frank Butler (Adam Kemmerer), and makes a romance between the pair impossible.

Devon Perry leads the cast as the title character with a vivacity that astounds and a voice that does just the same. The role was originated on Broadway by Ethel Merman has been followed by many other show stopping actresses like Mary Martin, Bernadette Peters and Reba McEntire.  Ms. Perry provides her own powerful take on the role and engages the audience with her honest and heartfelt interpretation. As Annie’s romantic interest, Adam Kemmerer plays a charming Frank Butler. Poor Frank has to come to terms with his love for this woman ahead of her time and her obvious skill that outshines his own excellent marksmanship. There is trouble for this couple that forces them to go on their separate ways and try to find their way back to each other.

One of the highlights of the show is “Moonshine Lullaby” lead by Annie, and featuring a trio of male singers and Annie’s three siblings, played on opening night by Haylie Shea Christiano, Ruby Griffin, and Hannah Jane Moore. The beautiful harmonies and charming staging was a surprising treat considering the musical’s other famous show tunes. Songs such as “There’s No Business Like Show Business”, “The Girl That I Marry” and “Anything You Can Do” are included in this wonderful Irving Berlin score.

By today’s standards, audience members may find the script a bit chauvinist but keep in mind the show premiered on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre in 1946. The choreography is well fitting of the musical style. Of note was the stunning tap number by the talented ensemble at the end of Act One. The ensemble includes Joseph Cullinane, Michael Dauer, James Spencer Dean, Shanna Heverly, Lucy Horton, Ryan Kleinman, Kevin Loreque, Sophie Lee Morris, Lizzy Palmer, Joey Rodriguez and Brittany Williams.

Kilty Reidy returns for his 9th WBT show, as Charlie Davenport.  Sarah Cline stars as Dolly.WBT veteran, Gary Lynch leads the show-within-the-show as the charismatic Buffalo Bill. Kevin C. Loomis appearsas Pawnee Bill. Marshall Factora, an Annie Get Your Gun veteran, makes his WBT debutas Sitting Bull.

Directed & Choreographed by Richard Stafford who has directed many shows at WBT including the recent hit, Saturday Night Fever.; The Musical Director is Shane Parus; Associate Director/Choreographer is Krystin Pope.

Annie Get Your Gun is presented September 14 - November 26, 2017 and then will take a break for WBT’s The Christmas Voyager, which is present from November 30 - December 23, 2017. But don’t worry, Annie Get Your Gun will return December 28, 2017 - January 28, 2018.

Dinner & Show range between $56.00 and $84.00. For reservations or more information, call (914) 592-2222 or visit www.BroadwayTheatre.com    

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Submitted by Brewster, NY

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