CONWAY — The music department at Central Baptist College wants the community to know “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and invites everyone - young, old and in between - to its upcoming production of Annie Get Your Gun.
Performances will be at 7 p.m. April 20 and 21 and at 2 p.m. April 21. Tickets are $6 each and may be ordered by calling (501) 329-6872, ext. 153, or by visiting the school’s website, www.cbc.edu, clicking on the Calendar of Events. Internet payment is by PayPal or a credit card; a $1 processing fee will be charged.
With music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, Annie Get Your Gun first opened on Broadway on May 16, 1946, with Ethel Merman starring as Annie Oakley, the sharpest sharpshooter in the Wild West Show. The play is based on a book by the same name by Herbert and Dorothy Fields.
“It’s fun for all ages,” said director Ellen Westerman, who is a music instructor at CBC as well as an admissions officer. “It’s the love story of Annie Oakley and Frank Butler, who is the star of the show.”
Patrons will see Annie and Frank compete in the show, singing the song, “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better.” Annie has fallen in love with Frank, and she’s afraid “You Can’t Get a Man With a Gun,” but it seems that true love might prevail.
Members of the cast include the following:
◊Brandy Box, a psychology/counseling major from Mesquite, Texas, appears as Annie Oakley.
◊Devin DiGuilio, a Bible/ education major from Bay Springs, Miss., appears as Frank Butler.
◊David McEuen, a Bible major from Springdale, portrays Buffalo Bill, owner of the Wild West Show.
◊Alex Strayhorn, a psychology and social services major from Searcy, appears as Charlie Davenport, manager of the Wild West Show.
◊Zach Poteet, a worship arts major from Hot Springs, appears as Pawnee Bill, owner of a competing Western show.
◊Jacob Tackitt, a missions major from Sheridan, portrays Foster Wilson, owner of the hotel.
◊Alyssa Wunstel, a music major from Greenbrier, plays Dolly Tate, assistant to Frank Butler.
◊Tim Preuett, a worship arts major from Mountain Pine, appears as Tommy Keeler, the knife-thrower.
◊Erin Turner, an early childhood education major from Greenbrier, appears as Winnie Tate, Dolly’s sister and assistant to the knife-thrower.
◊Darius Tolbert, a music major from Lonoke, appears as Eagle Feather, a Sioux warrior.
◊Meredith Hogue, a missions major with a minor in worship arts from Benton, plays Mrs. Sylvia Potter-Porter, one of the women who is attracted to Frank Butler.
◊Stephen Bogan, a music major from Jacksonville, Texas, is cast in two roles - Running Deer, a Sioux warrior, and Mac, a messenger and Wild West Show worker.
◊Rustin Woods, a music major from Flippin, appears as Chief Sitting Bull, a Sioux warrior and Annie’s adoptive father.
◊Laura Waymire, a psychology major from Sherwood, appears as Jessie, Annie’s sister.
Children in the play are Ashley Turner of Maumelle, who appears as Nellie, and Nate Westerman of Conway, who appears as Little Jake. Both characters are Annie’s other siblings.
Members of the company include Mara Ramirez, a music piano-performance major from Costa Rica; Holly Escueta, an education major from Jacksonville, Texas; JeanAnn Wiseman, a music major from Conway; and Taylor Bell of Conway, who also does the choreography for the show.
Members of the crew are Blake Wickless of Ashdown and Chris Elliott of Conway, who are in charge of the music; Aaron Greenwood of Moore, Okla., who is in charge of sound and lighting; and Elsen Portugal of Hot Springs, pianist.
River Valley Ozark, Pages 147 on 04/15/2012