She is brash and unrefined. He is handsome and thinks a lot of himself. She speaks her mind. He storms out of rooms in jealous rages. She cleans up nicely and looks stunning in ball gowns. He finds himself weak in the knees whenever she looks his way.
Sound like your last relationship? Not quite — try Annie Oakley and Frank Butler’s torrid love affair. It’s nice to know some things never change, no matter if it’s the 1880s or the 21st century.
It’s also nice to know that Irving Berlin’s rip-roaring tunes — “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Anything You Can Do” — still hold the same appeal today as they did the first time “Annie Get Your Gun” wowed Broadway audiences in 1946.
Foothill Music Theatre has brought Annie and her beau back to the South Bay for some sharp-shooting, wild good times. The community college theatre troupe, under the direction of musical veteran Jay Manley, does not disappoint. The production, which opened last weekend at the campus’ Smithwick Theatre, is full of beautiful singing, spectacular sets and lovely costumes.
Led by Jessica Raaum (Annie Oakley) and Byron Westlund (Frank Bulter), the energy level remains high from start to finish. It’s hard not to feel like you’ve magically been transported to the Wild West. The cast makes sure we have a good time despite the script’s dated, sometimes offense dialogue. The story, a whimsical look at one of history’s most intense love affairs, was written by Herbert and Dorothy Fields and revised in 1999 by Peter Stone (“Titanic,” “1776”), in an effort to tone down the negative portrayal of Native Americans and women.
Stone does a good job of axing all the “Indian” references; however he still has our heroine coming across as a love-struck idiot. This is a real shame. When we first meet Annie, there is so much potential in this messy-haired chipmunk of a girl. We are rooting for her to keep her doe-eyed, independent charm. Alas, this assertiveness all but evaporates the second Frank Butler tips his cowboy hat and grins. (The real Annie Oakley must be turning over in her grave.)
Annie’s near-instant transformation into a bumbling buffoon is still madding no matter how many times you’ve seen the show. Raaum’s interpretation seems particularly clown-like. Thankfully she pulls out of the trance rather quickly with the cheeky “You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun.”
Annie goes on to win Buffalo Bill Cody’s sharp-shooting match outside the Watson Arms Hotel. Frank comes in second and immediately begins to pout. The pout turns into a full-blown tantrum when Buffalo Bill (a cartoonish John Musgrave) announces Annie is going to be the star of his Wild West Show, an honor once held solely by Frank.
Needless to say, the competition heats up. But as those of us know who paid attention during high school history class, things don’t end up sour for good old Frank and Annie.
INFORMATION:
What: Foothill Music Theatre presents “Annie Get Your Gun” by Irving Berlin. Book by Herbert and Dorothy Fields.
Where: Foothill College’s Smithwick Theatre, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills
When: Through Aug. 20, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.
Cost: $10-$24
Contact: Call (650) 948-4444
