Annie Get Your Gun - Prince Theatre; Philadelphia

I attended the opening of "Annie Get Your Gun" starring Andrea McArdle last night in Philadelphia. Though I will admit the show per se is not one of my favorites, the performances of Andrea McArdle and Jeffrey Coon (Frank Butler) were outstanding. The only time I had seen this show was the dreadful 1999 revival. My main reason for going was to hear Andrea McArdle sing so many of the wonderful songs throughout the show.

I knew I would enjoy her singing, but I was pleasantly surprised by her take on the character. She was both spunky and absolutely charming throughout.

My only complaints are that the first act just seemed to drag. At the beginning of the show, the producer explained the reasons for staying with the original script (as opposed to the edited, politically correct 1999 revival). In light of that, I felt that "I'm an Indian, Too" and the adoption sequence/dance went on for too long.

If they were to make a CD with Andrea as Annie Oakley, I would definitely buy it. I have been a huge fan of hers since I first saw her in Annie (my first Broadway show), and her vocals in the show definitely did not disappoint!

Theatre is alive and well in Philadelphia and how encouraging it was to see the various "shows" logos and advertisements throughout town.

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Updated On: 12/10/06 at 12:00 PM

Dottie, what reasons did the producers give for staying with the original script? And (I guess this is a spoiler request), what was the ending of the 1999 revival? I thought the Prince Theater ending was horribly dated, and I'm wondering if that ending was changed for the 1999 version.

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I know I read somewhere that the Director was working very hard with real American Indians to make sure everything in the production was historically accurate.

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the Director was working very hard with real American Indians to make sure everything in the production was historically accurate. "

Great, but I guess he didn't see the importance of making them look like real native American Indians. I think Sitting Bull looked German/Polish ...anything but native Indian!

BUT Andrea indeed made the production worth the admission price. She was absolutely 'perfect' in this. One of the Barrymore voting members was there...If she doesn't win or at least get a Barrymore Nom.....I'll eat my cowgirl hat!

I will work up a BWW review early this week. Took some pics of the entire McArdle clan. What a wonderful family. Hi Mama McArdle! Yes. Andrea's mom LOVES BWW!

Philly Folks, check out Walnut's42nd Street and AGYG NOW before they're gone!

Dottie, dear. check your pm.

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Updated On: 12/10/06 at 08:09 PM

Yes, yes yes...photos to come!

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Yes it does, DP. They do a nice job if it too.

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Right you are! Her mom said, she is having a ball playing a role she's always wanted to do. Plus Andrea is a Philly, philly.

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In the revival script they tie. She Throws the match by missing, and he does the same thing when he realizes what she is doing. That is how they both find out how much they love each other They make up and say that they are going to stay with the show and continue to have matches to see who is the best.

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American indians didn't find the original offensive?! How many native americans were watching annie Get Your Gun in 1946? I can't imagine it being the most racially sensitive of times.

I saw Andrea do this role at her high school! She was great in that, so I can just imagine how wonderful she is, now. She should have been doing it on Broadway.

I didn't like the Peters revival, so this is good news, indeed!

Great review. At least now I know who to look for next time I'm there. I didn't see any of the McArdle clan even though I was at that same performance.

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Bitter bitter bitter.

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