There's No Business Like Show Business at OMT's Annie Get Your Gun

Irving Berlin, with hits like "Blue Skies," "Puttin' On the Ritz," and "God Bless America," is one of the greatest songwriters in American history. In fact most might agree with composer Jerome Kern who said "Irving Berlin has no place in American music - he is American music." So it should be no surprise that his first situational musical Annie Get Your Gun feels just so derned-tootin American. I had the chance to see it this week at Peery's Egyptian Theater presented by Ogden Musical Theatre and it had me smiling from ear to ear.

Annie Get Your Gun is the story of Annie Oakley and her discovery, rise, and success within Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Annie, after winning a sharp shooting contest against the famous Frank Butler, is thrust into the world of show business and the highs and lows therein. Annie and Frank find love, but will Frank's ego and Annie's stubbornness get in the way of their very own Old Fashioned Wedding?

I really enjoyed this production of Annie Get Your Gun. Even though I'm pretty familiar with the music, this was the first time I've seen a performance of this show. From the really big, beautiful sets and the gorgeous costumes to the super talented cast, Peery's Egyptian Theater was the ideal stage to house the talent and story from this team.

Mickey Larson as Annie was perfect. Her comedic timing was spot on, especially with the bird bit in Scene One and all the hilarious bits during "Anything You Can Do." Her acting and country-girl charm was so believable that if I didn't know any better, I probably would've thought she was the real Annie Oakley time travelled from 1880. But somehow none of this compares to her singing. Every note was so beautifully executed and delivered with such conviction that I was glad that in the grand Golden Age tradition that every song got a reprise (or two).

BJ Whimpey as Frank Butler struck the perfect balance of pomposity and dreaminess. The way he sang about falling in love with Annie during "My Defenses are Down" was the perfect love dope routine and his rich voice really shines in "The Girl That I Marry." The chemistry between Larson and Whimpey was so convincing and I was hooked. Perhaps because of a fun directorial choice at the beginning of the show: When Annie and Frank first see each other, this Disney-ish twinkle sound plays and you know it's fate. Annie and Frank Forever.

The cast was full of fun characters that added to the Wild West atmosphere. Melissa Platt as Dolly Tate was the prettiest dressed villain I've ever seen, Jim Dale as Buffalo Bill had the big voice to match his big mustache, and Annie's siblings Nellie, Jessie and Little Jake (played by Evelyn Stephens, Sophie Riggs, and Sam Marriott) were the cutest sidekicks Annie could've asked for and added to every scene they were in.

This show would not have been as enjoyable or as nice to listen to if it weren't for the direction from Liz Smith or the music direction from Derek Myler. All of the sharp shooting illusions that were pulled off flawlessly were so fun to watch and I enjoyed the tight harmonies of the Cowboy Trio in Moonshine Lullaby. Behind a talented cast is a talented production team and this show was no exception.

The beautiful set pieces from a masterful team of Daniel Simons (Master Carpenter/Technical Director) and Cheryl Jameson (Property Design) were effective in setting each scene with aid from the beautiful, painted backdrops. I especially loved the huge paintings of Frank Butler and Annie Oakley and the Big Top striped curtain. The lighting by Mark Rencher was warm and bright and perfectly showcased the gorgeous costumes by Joanne Hatch and hair and makeup by Lindsey Garside.

This production of Annie Get Your Gun will definitively prove that there really is no business like show business and you don't want to miss your chance to check it out! You can click here for tickets - show runs August 6, 9, 10, and 11!