‘Annie Get Your Gun’ goes off with a bang
Open on a dimly lit, bare stage, with only a few scattered characters standing in front of a circus-like tent. A spotlight hits a young man, and his low voice gently sings the iconic lyric “There’s no business like show business….” Thus begins the journey of “Annie Get Your Gun” at Concord First Assembly Academy.
The musical, based loosely on the true story of a post-Civil War sharpshooter and her experiences in show business, preaches that empowerment and individuality are at the core of success. Director Karissa Ross hit this target impeccably.
She threaded together the ideals of equality and personal integrity while creating an aesthetically appealing piece, using tricks such as “gunshots” created by a lighting change accompanied by the single beat of a drum. She also directed a tough yet vulnerable Annie Oakley, played by Madeline Phillips.
Phillips portrayed bright-eyed Annie as a quirky, charming and independent young woman with an ever-present grin. She met the challenge of being a leading lady by dominating the stage and driving her fellow castmates to success.
From her first entrance, Phillips confidently established herself as a powerful female role model, asserting that she “don’t shoot like no girl.” From that moment, Phillips’ presence was infectious, and she deserved every laugh and tear she evoked.
Frank Butler, the leading man of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, lived up to being the “big, swollen-headed stiff” described by Annie. Jackson Campbell’s Butler went from a cool, confident headliner to a tender, gentle man in a seamless transition. That change seemed innate for Campbell, as Frank exposed his true self to Annie, and his melodic voice provided the majority of his most authentic character work.
Other people worth mentioning include Timothy Brausch as Charlie Davenport, the sarcastic and determined manager of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show; Anna Young, who had fine comic timing as Dolly Tate, the ambitiously destructive assistant to Frank Butler; and Jonathan DeJesus, who showed a nearly flawless voice as Tommy Keeler, the talented half-Indian knife-thrower of the Wild West Show.
Because of the bare stage, the production depended on the unity of the ensemble as not only a storytelling team but a set crew. Actors carried set pieces onstage and moved them around in smooth transitions.
Every member of the 20-person ensemble created beautiful illusions and exhibited unusual talents, such as using real rope for lassos, to perpetuate the magic. The energy was electric, reigniting the audience’s passion for theater and show business with every note, every dance move and every line.
This story was originally published May 7, 2015 at 5:24 PM with the headline "‘Annie Get Your Gun’ goes off with a bang."