Review: ANNIE GET YOUR GUN at Musical Theater Heritage

Musical Theatre Heritage returns to its radio roots with a revival of the 1946 Irving Berlin musical play, "Annie Get Your Gun." This MTH production stars the huge voice of Shelby Floyd in the title role of Annie Oakley. Baritone Sam Wright plays Annie's true life husband Frank Butler. Jim Korinke, a long time respected Kansas City actor, is the immortal Buffalo Bill Cody.

"Annie Get Your Gun" came into being as an unfinished libretto by the brother and sister team Dorothy and Herb Fields. Dorothy searched for a strong female character around which she could build a show for her 37 year old friend and toast of Broadway Ethel Merman. Annie Oakley was a perfect match. She was an outspoken advocate for women's rights and a tiny woman who would made a huge impact wherever she went.

After seeing several producers, the Fields approached Rogers and Hammerstein to write the music and produce the show. The duo's "Oklahoma" (1943) and "Carousel" (1945) were both enjoying their original Broadway success. The film musical "State Fair" (1945) was just about to be released. "Annie Get Your Gun" seemed too similar for them to get personally involved. Rodgers and Hammerstein did agree to provide funding for a Broadway opening. Jerome Kern was the first choice as composer, but he died unexpectedly in mid-1945. The next choice was 57 year old songwriter Irving Berlin. After having the script in his possession over only a weekend, the producers were amazed when Berlin presented with three completed numbers. The most famous of these "No Business Like Show Business" became the anthem for this show and for all of musical theater.

"Annie Get Your Gun" ran on Broadway for three years and 1100 performances; remarkable for its time. Most of the opening actors (including Ms. Merman) stayed for the entire run of the show. Like many shows of the late 1940s, it would be seen as politically incorrect in 2016. The 1946 "Annie" treated Native Americans with a sense of humor but respectfully attempting to elevate them in the show. A 1999 revision of the original script by Peter Stone addressed these changing sensibilities. The Stone version altered the central conceit of the show, eliminated several songs, and updated it generally.

Another similar show, "Finnian's Rainbow," is a rant against racist, but is not politically correct because of the way it makes its points. It is seldom performed today because of political correctness.

As Annie, Shelby Floyd is a great choice. Her voice is every bit as strong as Ethel Merman ever was. Shelby's voice has better tone and more variation than Ms. Merman ever had. Sam Wright sings a very capable Frank Butler. The original Frank, Ray Middleton, was a strong, classic baritone. He sounded a great deal like a young Robert Goulet. In later years, he can still be heard on the original cast album of "Man of La Mancha" in the role of the Innkeeper. Middleton was also the first actor to don Superman's cape. Phil Blue Owl Hooser, an actual Choctaw Native American, embodies "Sitting Bull" for this production.

Except for the exaggerated conflict between Frank and Annie, the show reflects much of characters' real lives. Frank Butler quickly realized Annie's stage appeal. They enjoyed a long and happy marriage. He worked as her manager. Oddly, Annie did have a shooting competitor, a woman named Lillian Smith. She is not mentioned in the script. They all did join the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. The size and complexity of the show often did leave Bill in financial hot water. Sitting Bull was also a member of the troupe and he did enjoy a friendship with Annie and Frank Butler. Annie became an early campaigner for women's rights. When the Spanish American war broke, Annie offered to form a company of women sharpshooters who would fight in the war. The offer was never acted upon. Annie died in November 1926. Frank followed her to heaven eighteen days later. They had been together 50 years.

The Peter Stone version of "Annie Get Your Gun" imagines a show within a show and re-orders or removes much of the score. It kicks off with "No Business Like Show Business" which had been the show stopping closer. Many of the other Irving Berlin songs enjoyed a life of their own outside the show. Examples are "Doing What Comes Naturally," "You Can't Get A Man with a Gun," "Moonshine Lullaby," "They Say It's Wonderful," "I Got Lost in His Arms," "I Got the Sun In The Morning," "The Girl That I Marry," and "Anything You Can Do."

Audiences will enjoy the MTH take on "Annie Get Your Gun." It is well produced, well sung, and with an extremely enjoyable cast. "Annie Gets Your Gun" continues its run through April 24 on Level III of Crown Center. Tickets are available online at www.musicaltheaterheritage.com or by telephone at (816) 221-6987.

Photo Credit to Musical Theater Heritage.

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