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AHS seniors Kenny Taggard and Abby Root play the lead roles of Frank and Annie.
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One of Broadway’s
most celebrated musicals, “Annie Get Your Gun,” will return to the stage in
Arkadelphia, presented by the Arkadelphia High School choral department. Full
of familiar Irving Berlin tunes, such as “There’s No Business Like Show
Business” and “Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better),” the show was one of
Broadway’s most popular in the 1940s and has delighted audiences in local
theaters ever since.
The greatest
box-office hit of Berlin’s career, the musical comedy still resonates with
audiences as Annie Oakley tries to outshoot Frank Butler, star of Buffalo
Bill’s Wild West Show. The comedy grows with songs such as “You Can’t Get a Man
With a Gun,” but romance also develops with “They Say It’s Wonderful” and “Who
Do You Love, I Hope?” The show includes larger production numbers, such as
“I’ve Got the Sun in the Morning (and the Moon at Night).”
Seniors Abby Root
and Kenny Taggard play Annie and Frank. Both are in their fourth AHS musical.
Another veteran performer is senior Rae’Vyn Britt, who plays Charlie Davenport.
Senior Shavonica Wilson is a student director and member of the chorus, while
senior Rachel Flowers plays Mac. Other key figures are Preston Jones (Buffalo
Bill), Jessica Cornelius (Dolly), Seth Daniell (Tommy), Julie Williams
(Winnie), Emmanuel Cooper (Chief Sitting
Bull) and Katlynn Williams (Wilson). Alexandria Hunter, Cabb Batson and Paige
Bateman play key roles as Annie’s young siblings. Local pastor Roger Cushwa
appears as Pawnee Bill. AHS choir instructor Laura Cornelius directs the
performance.
Other students in
speaking and singing roles include Makayla Bird, Christia Livsey,
Caleb Cornelius, Gabby Hess, Danielle Savage, Camille Tedder, Ashley Prudhome,
Mehkia Wilson, Patience Prince, Rebecca Dobbins, Jazimine Arnold, Ashley
Brittain, Aswa Khan, Tamera Stevens and Halee Newborn.
“Annie Get Your
Gun” opens at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 3, in the AHS Little Theater. There will be
two shows on Saturday, May 4 - a matinee at 2:30 and an evening show at 7. The
final performance will be Sunday at 2:30 p.m. on May 4.
Tickets are $5 in
advance and $7 at the door. Contact the AHS office at 870-246-7373 for more
information.
