Cynthia Wallis and Cindy Wang light up the stage as part of Annie Get Your Gun.

TLTC Selects Annie Get Your Gun for 2003 Show

nnie Oakley and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show will visit the Northwoods in June when the Three Lakes Theater Company brings to life Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic western musical Annie Get Your Gun. Featuring perhaps some of Irving Berlin’s best music and lyrics, the show is likely to prove that there is indeed ‘no business like show business’ when it takes to the stage on June 19-21 and June 26-28.

In its ninth year of existence, the Three Lakes Theater Company hopes to build upon the success of its previous shows including 2002’s Hello, Dolly!

“Audiences really seemed to enjoy the lighter comedy of Hello, Dolly! so we thought we’d stick with the same genre.  We picked something that would appeal to all ages who would know the tunes.  We want them to leave the show feeling happy,” explained the group’s creative director, MariLynn Garbowiz.

And Annie Get Your Gun will certainly provide several show-stopping numbers including “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly,” and “Anything You Can Do.”

The Storyline  

Originally opening in New York City in May of 1946, Annie Get Your Gun is a highly fictionalized story of Annie Oakley. The best shot around, she supports her siblings by selling the game that she hunts.  When she’s discovered by Col. Buffalo Bill of Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show, the becoming young sharpshooter is persuaded to join the production.

Before long Annie meets the show’s headliner Frank Butler who entertains audiences with what has become the anthem of entertainment, “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” In hopes turning the limelight from Anne to himself, Butler suggests a contest between the two as a publicity stunt for his act, Annie upstages the egotistical star—by both beating him and falling head-over-heels in love with him. 

Meanwhile, Buffalo Bill discovers that his show is going broke because of stiff competition from Pawnee Bill’s popular Far East Show, and in order to bolster his show and recoup losses, Buffalo Bill and Charlie Davenport persuade Annie to do a sensational act which soon overshadows that of her one true love.

Unwilling to be showed up by a female, Frank leaves the show in a fury and joins rival Pawnee Bill as the star attraction.

Annie is heartbroken, but the famous Sioux Warrior Sitting Bull attempts to console her by adopting her as his daughter and putting up money the show needs to continue.  The ensuing European tour is a personal triumph for Anne who returns to the United States with many valuable medals.

The show, however, is in financial trouble and when Pawnee Bill invites Buffalo Bill’s troupe to a welcome home reception, they gladly accept and plan to suggest the two shows merge when they meet at the party.  Unknown to the Wild West Show, Pawnee Bill faces his own financial struggles and is anxious to combine the two groups.

Upon meeting again, Annie and Frank declare their love for each other and Frank presents Annie with his medals inscribed “to the sharpshooter of the world!”  Annie refused to accept his superiority and challenges him to a shooting match to decide the title once and for all, pitting her valuable medals against his modest three.

Matchmakers Sitting Bull and Charlie are determined to make Anne lose the match, but win Frank’s heart.  They tamper with the sights on her gun, causing her to miss each shot. Soon aware of their scheme, and hoping to take the first step toward reconciliation, Anne concedes the match to Frank.

Frank, realizing that Annie has thrown the show, swallows his own pride and offers Annie a partnership.  He then donates his ‘victory prize,’ Anne’s medals, to the two Bills to financially start off the combined shows.

Page last updated on 06/04/2008