FLUSH with last year’s win of multiple AIMS (Association of Irish Musical Society Awards), Limerick Musical Society steps out with ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ for their 2016 production. Book your seats for the big stage of University Concert Hall for April, show running Thursday April 26 to Saturday 28.
The Society’s PRO Gerry Ryan tells us that this comedy classic Western “is a fictionalised version of the life of sharpshooter Annie Oakley and her romance with Frank Butler. It boasts a score of Irving Berlin gems including ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’, ‘I Got Lost in His Arms’, ‘I Got the Sun in the Mornin’’, ‘Anything You Can Do’ and ‘They Say It’s Wonderful’.”
He forecasts a serious tilt at this production for LMS with 70 on stage and about 130 members operative in props, costume (Pat McGann), stage craft, front of house, lighting and design. In all, “We estimate it is going to cost us to €45,000 to bring ‘Annie’ to the concert hall”.
He describes the “rough and tumble Annie” as “the best shot around” who winds up being plucked from obscurity to join Buffalo Bill and his ‘Wild West Show’.
Frank Butler emerges as her leading man, on stage and off, but their dual relationship is peppered with fire-power.
Casting is by director Des Henn: Annie Oakley, Hilary Orpen; Frank Butler, Richie Hayes; Dolly Tate, Olivia Parkinson; Buffalo Bill, Steven O’Brien; Charlie Davenport, Aodhán Ó Conaill; Pawnee Bill, Pádraig De Bhulbh; Chief Sitting Bull, Glen Carr.
Niamh Twomey is choreographer to this big happy event and Máire Keary-Scanlon returns as musical director. Booking at www.uch.ie
