ANNIE GET YOUR GUN started life as an idea by writer Dorothy Fields,
who read a magazine article about Annie Oakley in the early 1940’s and
thought it a good character for her friend Ethel Merman. A creative team
was assembled, with Dorothy herself writing lyrics to the music of Jerome
Kern, with a book by Dorothy and her brother Herbert and Rodgers &
Hammerstein serving as producers. Disaster struck when Mr. Kern collapsed
on the street and died shortly afterward.
Left without
a composer, a searchbegan to find a replacement. Irving Berlin, a
name on the musical theatre scene for 30 years, offered his talents but
the production team was wary of his ability to do a “new style” Broadway
musical in the post OKLAHOMA! mold. He came back a few days later
with several character songs written expertly and perfectly for the show,
including the now classic “You Can’t Get a Man With A Gun”. Based on his
“audition pieces”, Irving Berlin landed the job as composer and lyricist,
with Dorothy Fields agreeing to step down as lyricist and serve as co-book
writer only.
The show was
a smash hit for Merman and company, and soon all the great ladies played
the role on the road and around the world, including Mary Martin and
Dolores Gray. MGM started the film version with Judy Garland, but she was
replaced with Betty Hutton after Garland called in sick a few times too
many. Fast forward to the 60’s, when Richard Rodgers produced a new
revised version at Lincoln Center, eliminating several characters and
songs, tweaking the book and adding the last new Berlin song to be
performed on Broadway, “An Old Fashioned Wedding”.
This
production again featured Merman, to which some New York theatre types
re-named the show GRANNY GET YOUR GUN! Over the years the show has been
revived, revised, re-orchestrated and translated for countless Annie’s in
countless productions. A major London revival opened this past month in
London at the Young Vic, starring Jane “Little Voice” Horrocks as
“Annie”. Our version tonight is based on the 1999 Broadway revival,
starring Bernadette Peters as Annie, followed by such diverse women as
Reba McIntyre, Susan Lucci, Marilu Henner, Crystal Bernard and Cheryl
Ladd. But no matter how it is revised, the great score of Irving Berlin
and the raucous book by the Fields siblings (this time augmented by Peter
Stone) have created a musical theater masterpiece, and we are excited to
present the local premiere of this variation of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN.
ANNIE GET
YOUR GUN is presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals:
www.rnhtheatricals.com
Meet the Directors
and Crew
Jason
Fortner
(Director/Choreographer)has directed many musicals here at the
Playhouse, starting back with our very first musical Very Good Eddie.
Since then he has directed such Playhouse productions as Good News,
Babes In Toyland, Dracula The Musical, Naughty Marietta, Rose Marie, She
Loves Me,Meet Me In St Louis, La Cage Aux Folles, How To Succeed…,
Of Thee I Sing, Bells Are Ringing, The Full Monty and others. On stage
he directed and played the title role in our production of Barnum.
Thanks to all who have supported him in local theatre these past 35 years.
Mark
Jelks (Musical
Director) has been a part of nearly every aspect of the performing
arts. He has trained and performed as a dancer internationally and
musically directing the national tours for such shows as Evita, A
Chorus Line and Sweeney Todd. He has been musical director for
The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Man of La Mancha, Oliver!, and Bells
Are Ringing here at the Playhouse.
Rodney
Carpenter
(Associate Musical Director) is very excited to join the Francis Wilson
Playhouse family! Rodney attended West Virginia University as a vocal
performance major. His musical direction experience includes productions
of Cats, Les Miserables, Leader of the Pack, and our upcoming
production of Side Show. Rodney would like to thank Jason, Dianna,
Mark, Ka-Rim and Janet for making this show so great to work with!
Janet
Tucker (Stage
Manager) is so glad to be back at Francis Wilson and with Jason again!
Thanks to him she discovered the theater world 13 years ago and quickly
decided that the “real show” is backstage and has been fortunate enough to
stage manage many, many wonderful show in community theater over the
years. This wonderful show is no exception! Love to my other Jason too!
Ka-Rim
Troyli
(Assistant Stage Manager) is still amazed that she has this opportunity to
work so closely with the dynamic due of Jason and Janet. Thank you both
for you tutelage, humor and good faith….and thank you to Mark, the crew
and the talented cast for sharing their show with me.
Cast
In Order of Appearance
Frank
Butler.................................................. Donald Trey Ryan
Buffalo Bill
Cody...................................................... John Zilles
Annie
Oakley............................................... Christina Capehart
Billy, Annie’s
Brother......................................... Thomas Rowell
Jessie, Annie’s Little
Sister.............................. Shianne Grubbs
Nellie, Annie’s Other
Little Sister........................... Sarah Rowell
Little Jake, Annie’s
Little Brother.......................... Aden Grubbs
Running
Deer.................................................. George Kolitsas
Eagle
Feather...................................................... John Hughes
Sleeping Car
Porter.................................... Austin Hammesfahr
Pawnee
Bill................................................. Christopher Strong
Messenger....................................................... Jonathan
Hecht
Band
Leader........................................................ John Hughes
Mrs. Sylvia
Potter-Porter..................................... Kristen Rowell
Mrs. Schuyler
Adams............................................. Susan Mills
Showgirls / Roustabouts /
Gypsies / Queens / Everybody Else: Colleen Boylan, Margaret Boylan, Moriah
Carpenter, David Edwards, Erin Hamilton-Mullin, Ella Hampton, Pat Hughes,
Melissa Labiak, Ellie LeVine, Mara Martin, Ellen O’Connell, Lisa Victoria
Ohlemann, Jean Omero, Christian Emmanuel Pici, Michael Sporck
Read the Playbill here!
Meet the Cast
Matthew
Barnes (Tommy
Keeler) is so excited to be back at the Playhouse! He was last seen here
in The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker as Horace III. He has also
appeared in Bells Are Ringing, Brigadoon and Hello! Dolly.
Thanks to my loving family and friends who are so supportive of everything
I do.
seen
in The Glass Menagerie (LARY award) at WCP, Joseph and
Fiddler on the Roof at Tarpon Springs PAC, and Six Guns and
Sasparilla at EOT.
Margaret
Boylan
(Ensemble) is pleased to be back at the Playhouse and sharing the stage
with her daughter, Colleen. She was last seen in Pajama Game at
EOT. When not on the stage, Margaret teaches Math and Science to 3rd
graders.
Christina
Capehart
(Annie Oakley) is thrilled to be in her first performance at Francis
Wilson. Past roles include Nancy in Oliver! (Tarpon Springs),
Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (Eight O’Clock), Ado Annie in
Oklahoma! (Tarpon Springs), and Lady Thiang (Lary Award, Tarpon
Springs). She thanks Jason, Mark, and the whole cast and crew for
everything. Love to Mom, Dad, and Sakura for all their support. Enjoy
the show!
Moriah
Carpenter
(Ensemble) is happy to be returning to Francis Wilson Playhouse after her
exciting summer here with Showdown. She has previously been in many other
shows including The Nutcracker, The King and I, and
Oliver. She would like to thank Mark Jelks for being a great teacher
and her friends and family for all the love and support.
David
Edwards
(Ensemble)last
performed at the Playhouse in Man of La Mancha. He has performed
many times for Jason and Mark and is pleased to be on stage again with
them. David last performed in Once Upon A Mattress at Ruth Eckerd
Hall with City Players and is currently performing at Howl O’Scream at
Busch Gardens.
Aden Grubbs
(Little Jake) is in his first show. He is 6 years old and in the first
grade at Safety Harbor Elementary, where he is the class clown. He would
like to thank Jason for the opportunity to appear on stage.
Shianne
Grubbs
(Jessie) is in her second show. She was in Hello Dolly at Ruth
Eckerd Hall, where she also attended a summer workshop. She is 9 years
old and in the 4th grade at Safety Harbor Elementary. She
would like to thank Jason for the opportunity to appear on stage again.
Erin
Hamilton-Mullin
(Ensemble) was last seen in Island Community Theatre’s Crimesof
the Heart as Lenny, for which she received a LARY nomination.
Favorite productions include Proof, Assassins, Sound of Music, and
Jekyll and Hyde. She was an apprentice at Broadway Theatre Project
2009. Erin graduated from FSU’s theatre department, Stetson Law, and is
getting her Master’s in Health Administration at USF. Love to Kyle and
family.
Austin
Hammesfahr (Ensemble) is delighted to return to the Playhouse where he has
appeared as Teddy in The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker and Bells
Are Ringing. He has also worked with Jason in Hello Dolly at
REH, and appeared in Little Mary Sunshine at SPLT, and King
Island Christmas at American Stage. He is a sophomore in musical
theatre at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts, and teen correspondent
for TBPAC. He has been doing children’s theatre since he was 9 with
favorite roles in Urinetown, Oklahoma, Grease, Oliver, Secret Garden
and Willie Wonka. He would like to thank Jason for his creative
guidance and for giving him this opportunity and his family for their
love, support and chauffeuring.
Ella
Hampton
(Ensemble) was born in Monticello, Florida and attended The Academy
school. She then moved to Georgia and back to Tampa. Tried being a nurse
assistant from 1986 to 2003 and wanted to try something different.
Attended Mary Jo’s Performing Arts Academy in Tampa where she received
experience in monologue and commercials. She is happy for this to be her
first show.
Jonathan
Hecht
(Mac/Prop Man) is appearing in his second stage performance, but first
musical. The fact that you didn’t notice that this is my first musical
shows off the director’s talent.
John
Hughes (Eagle
Feather/Bandleader/Ensemble) is sure that all personnel connected with
this wonderful show are privileged to be on stage with him!!!
Pat
Hughes
(Ensemble) had the pleasure of appearing in a previous production of Annie
Get Your Gun and is glad to get another “SHOT” at it. She enjoys writing
and directing shows for the “Little Theatre” group in Highland Lakes,
however, nothing compares to working with Jason and Mark. They make the
“magic” happen. I’m under your spell. Love ya.
Kayley
Kinports
(Winnie Tate) is excited to appearing in her first performance at the
Playhouse. She has previously appeared in Oklahoma, The King and I,
Urinetown, Oliver, and several ballets. She also performs with the
Ruth Eckerd Hall Teen Choir. Kayley would like to thank her dance teacher
Mark Jelks for his guidance, Jason Fortner for believing in her, and
family and friends for their love and support. Love to you face big sis.
You know who you are!
George
Kolitsas
(Foster Wilson/Running Bear) has much more stage time than in Something’s
Afoot when he was the first character (Clive) to die. Thanks to Jason,
Mark, Janet and this talented cast and crew. Thank you for supporting
live theatre. Enjoy the show!
Melissa
Labiak (Can
Can Girl / Dance Captain) is in her debut performance with Francis
Wilson. Past shows include Big River, Carousel, and Spoon River
Anthologies. She is currently an instructor of Expressions Academy of
Dance and Performing Arts. I would like to thank my family, friends, and
fellow cast mates for their support!
Ellie
LeVine
(Ensemble) was last seen on the Playhouse stage as the grumpy old lady on
the subway in Bells Are Ringing. She always enjoys working with
Jason Fortner and Mark Jelks, and is especially happy to be sharing the
stage with hubby, Mitchell.
Dr.
Mitchell LeVine
(Sitting Bull). Now most people think of Sitting Bull as a famous Sioux
warrior. In fact, he was a Sioux holy man, familiar with ancient
traditions and customs. Part of this tradition was his skill with herbs
and medicines. Therefore, he was better known as a medicine man, and so,
if there is any connection between Sitting Bull and Dr. LeVine, it is
because they are both medicine men, and if you think there is anything
really serious about this relationship, then all I can say is this whole
analogy is just a pile of bull!
Amy
Ludkiewicz
(Dolly Tate) is thrilled to be returning to Francis Wilson Playhouse,
having performed once before as Michelle in Bells Are Ringing.
Favorite regional roles include Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls (EOT),
Laurey Williams in Oklahoma! (TSPAC) and Chiffon in Little Shop
of Horrors (SPLT). Other roles include Carrie Pipperidge in
Carousel, Phillia in A Funny Thing…, Yohan in Children of
Eden and Cinderella in Cinderella with the Hartford Ballet.
Mara
Martin (Queen
Victoria/Ensemble) is happy to return to the Francis Wilson stage. She
was last seen at the Playhouse in A Grand Night for Singing. Other
favorite shows include EOT’s Mame (Gooch) and SPLT’s H.M.S.
Pinafore. Thanks go to Jason, Janet, Mark, Dianna, Ka-Rim and the
cast and crew for making every show magical! And as always I thank my
family and friends for their support, because I couldn’t do this without
you.
Susan
Mills (Mrs.
Schuyler Adams) has appeared in The Deputy (David Carradine).
Legit credits include This was Burlesque (Ann Corio), Go Fight
City Hall, My Favorite Year, What The Butler Saw, Fiorello, Oliver
in Tarpon Springs. She appeared in “The Guiding Light” and recorded for 20th
Century-Fox Records. She was the ASM for the National Company of
Camelot (Robert Goulet). She is very happy to be working Jason
Fortner, and thanks him for this wonderful opportunity.
Ellen
O’Connell
(Ensemble) is currently studying voice performance at USF under the
tutelage of Dr. Warren Jaworski. She has been involved in productions
since age six, including Guys and Dolls as General Cartwright,
The Sound of Music as Mother Abbess, and Mrs. Harcourt in Anything
Goes. She is forever grateful to her parents for putting her through
piano and voice lessons, and her wonderful boyfriend Rob, for encouraging
her and believing in her.
Lisa
Victoria Ohlemann
(Ensemble) is in her first performance at a community theater. She just
moved from Germany to the United States and is very excited about meeting
new people through this production. Previously, she has enjoyed taking
part in The Apple Tree and The Importance of Being Ernest as
Cecily. A special thank you goes to her boyfriend who encouraged her to
audition.
Jean
Omero
(Ensemble) is so happy to be back at the Playhouse. Since playing Rose
Marie in 2002 she has been performing in Highland Lake Little Theater
productions in various singing, dancing roles. Thanks Jason, for giving
me this opportunity and thank you loving family, for putting up with me.
Christian
Emmanuel Pici
(Ensemble) has been dancing for nine years and this is his first show at
Francis Wilson. He is the youngest of eight kids. He was in City
Player’s production of Once Upon A Mattress back in July. I would
like to thank my parents, dance teacher, sister and family for their love
and support and Jason for this great opportunity.
Tim
Rankin
(Charlie Davenport) After recently playing one of the gangsters in SPLT’s
Kiss Me Kate, Tim re-creates yet another classis Keenan Wynn role
as Charlie Davenport. Tim has performed in theatres in New York, Chicago,
and up-and-down the Eastern seaboard, along with performing in comedy
clubs with D.C.’s well-known “Gross National Product” (political satire),
and as a stand-up on the improvisation comedy club circuit.
Kristen
Rowell (Sylvia
Potter-Porter/Ensemble) is glad to be sharing the stage with two of her
three children. Favorite roles include Mame, Angel City 4 in
City of Angels, Rosa Bud in the Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Mom
to Charles, Thomas, and Sarah. Kristen is glad to be living in Clearwater
again and returning to the Francis Wilson stage. Thanks to her family for
all their help and support. Love you all.
Sarah
Rowell
(Nellie) is 5 years old and in kindergarten at Plumb Elementary. She has
played Gretel in The Sound of Music and Narrator in Aladdin Jr.
Sarah loves to sing, dance, and draw. Thanks to her whole family!
Thomas
Rowell (Billy)
couldn’t wait to get back on stage. He just moved here from Tallahassee
where he played the Genie in Aladdin Jr., Kurt in The Sound of
Music and young Don in Singin’in the Rain. He is in 2nd
grade at Plumb Elementary. He loves to draw and read. Thanks to his
whole family!
Donald
(Trey) E. Ryan III
(Frank Butler) is pleased to be returning to the Playhouse for this
wonderful production. He was last seen on this stage in Man of La
Mancha. More recently audiences saw him as Sky Masterson in EOT’s
production of Guys and Dolls and his LARY nominated performance as
Junior in Dearly Departed. Trey dedicates his performance to his
father. Thanks for everything Dad!!
Michael
Sporck
(Ensemble) is very happy to be back at the Playhouse, having previously
appeared in Mirror Image, A Real Enchanted Musical. He is very new
at theatre and acting. He would like to thank lots of people for giving
him confidence to be an actor: his mother, who has stood behind him the
whole time; Jason, and all of the rest of the directors, who are working
to keep everything on track. He is confident that this will be a great
show.
Christopher
Strong (Pawnee
Bill) has been performing on Bay Area stages for over 28 years, in over 80
shows, has won three LARY awards and is happy to be back at Francis Wilson
in his 7th show. When not “treading the boards” he may be
found creating at Christopher’s own hair salon in St. Petersburg.
John
Zilles
(Buffalo Bill) is delighted to be making his debut with the Playhouse.
While a young man, John sung in many equity musical theater productions
including working with Howard Keel in Kismet. This year he
performed in the St. Petersburg Opera productions of Into The Woods,
La Traviata and Merry Widow. He played Dwight Babcock in
EOT’s recent production of Mame, Senex in Forum and Larry
in Company at Antrum Playhouse in Wesley Hills, NY.
Musical Synopsis
Act I
Prologue: The Big Top “There’s No Business Like Show
Business”
Scene 1: The Front Lawn of the Wilson Arms Hotel In
Cincinnati,
Ohio
“Doin’ What
Comes Natur’lly”..................... Annie,
Wilson & Kids
“The Girl
That I Marry”...................................................... Frank
“You Can’t
Get A Man With A Gun”................................. Annie
