Playwright: music & lyrics by Irving Berlin, original book by Herbert & Dorothy Fields, revised by Peter StoneAt: Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in LincolnshirePhone: (847) 634-0200; $35-$40Runs through: Feb. 15As many once-popular songs are nowadays shunned by audiences no longer advocating the sentiments expressed therein (you won’t hear ‘Johnny, Get Angry,’ for example, even on the oldies stations), so are many historically significant plays are crippled by plots and motifs reflecting attitudes long discredited in all but the most backward of communities. Thus it has been with Annie Get Your Gun, a romantic comedy speculating on the courtship of Annie Oakley and Frank Butler, the stars of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
The score by Irving Berlin features such American musical classics as ‘Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly,’ ‘I Got The Sun In The Morning’ and that venerable anthem, ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business.’ But then there’s the problem of the climactic sharpshooting contest, which Herbert and Dorothy Fields’ original script requires Annie to deliberately lose in deference to the self-esteem of the man she loves. As with Shakespeare’s Taming Of The Shrew, a happy ending based on the debasement of one lover—the female one, of course—before the other demands some re-shaping to be rendered palatable to our egalitarian sensibilities. Fortunately, Peter Stone’s 1999 revisions, while retaining the fun associated with dueling egos (illustrated in the witty ‘Anything You Can Do [I Can Do Better] ‘), amplifies Annie and Frank’s genuine respect and affection for one another, resolving their differences through mutual acts of unselfishness. Our sense of righteousness appeased (the matter of Anglos playing Native Americans notwithstanding, though Roger Mueller acquits himself with dignity in the role of Chief Sitting Bull, as does James Harms’ Gandalf-lookalike Colonel Cody), we can allow ourselves to be charmed by Marc Robin’s hoot ‘n’ holler staging for Marriott Theatre, his extravaganza—incorporating high-kicking hoe-downs, faux-gunfire stunts, and even a rope dance, courtesy of the Midnight Circus—anchored by Susie McMonagle (making the transition from chirper to belter with ease) as the irrepressible Annie and Edward Watts as a Frank worthy of the adoration bestowed on him.
Stealing their every scene, however, are Abigail and Amy Sparrow, along with 12-year-old Ben Ratscoff, playing a trio of Oakley siblings.