Questions about the 1999 revival "Annie Get Your Gun"

I didn't see the AGYG revival with Bernadette Peters, but I did see it with Cheryl Ladd (it was a blizzard in NY, my friend and I were staying in Times Square, the performance went on to a 3/4 empty theater and we had great seats at half price). I have to say Ladd was thoroughly enjoyable, as was her costar Patrick Cassidy. Ladd really took control of the show, with a few winks to the audience - it was one of the last performances she did that January. I'm surprised she was never cast in another Broadway musical - she was quite the talent.

That said, how many saw the 199 revival, and what were your thoughts ? I know Peters got a Tony and rave reviews, and Susan Lucci subbed for her (and got decent reviews). Peters was followed by Ladd for the Fall (1999-2000) and then Reba took over to rave reviews for a few months - then Crystal Bernard. Was this revival planned for Peters or did she win the role over other actresses ?

Did anyone see all 5 actresses ? Some have said Reba was the best. What are your thoughts ? What did you think of the revival as a whole ? Is it time for another revival ?

I know Reba got very busy with a successful sitcom for years right after that and I know she makes more money touring for a month than she'd make in months on Broadway, but I'm still shocked she never returned after getting that kind of unanimous praise and welcome. She would have been a great Dolly and I wonder if she was approached and turned it down. She's definitely a Bette-level name that would have sold the tickets at the prices Rudin wanted.

Did not see the '99 revival, but to answer your last question, "Is it time for another revival?" I have to say that I can't see this show appearing again without EXTENSIVE rewrites to the book. I know the '99 production had a revised book, but... it's still got problems.

I didn't care for the staging of this revival at all. I did see it with Peters and Ladd. I was disappointed that the supporting players two songs were gone by the time Ladd started her run. I recall asking the usher at intermission why the songs were all of a sudden dropped. His reply, "Well, now everyone gets to leave the theatre fifteen minutes earlier."

My all-time favorite production of this show played Los Angeles and San Francisco back in 1977. Gower Champion did a truly magnificent job directing and the star was Debbie Reynolds who at the time was not one of my favorites. She couldn't have acted or sung the role any better. I was fortunate to see her in WOMAN OF THE YEAR years later and once again was impressed by her personal take on the role. I asked a friend why her ANNIE GET YOUR GUN never traveled to Broadway as was planned initially since it got great revues on the West coast. He said Reynolds had played Broadway in her one-woman show titled DEBBIE just a year earlier and it tanked big time opening and closing in the month of September 1976. Whether true or not, he felt she was afraid to test the waters on Broadway so soon after her personal failure. A pity because the audience loved her as Annie.

In summer stock productions many recording, TV, stage, and film actresses attempted playing Annie including Lucie Arnaz, Patti Page, Lee Remick, Barbara Eden, and even a more mature Ginger Rogers (who was just two years younger than the Merm). But once again, IMO Debbie and Gower's production of the show was by far the best I've ever seen.

Updated On: 7/17/20 at 01:47 PM

I'm in the camp who thinks the invaluable BP was miscast. At the beginning of the show her accent was so thick you'd be forgiven for thinking she was mentally challenged. Annie is from Ohio, not Appalachia. She delivered her ballads as if it was her club act (I'll lay some blame for that at the feet of John McDaniels, whom I adore). Wopat was terrific but the rewrite didn't grab me (with all due respect to the legendary Peter Stone). "There's No Business Like Show Business" is a number you build up to and make the audience wait for, you don't open with it. Reba was to the manner born in every regard. You believed every word she said. The kid playing Annie's brother, Little Jake, said, "Reba talks just like Annie even when she's offstage!" Early in the process they sent the script to Dolly Parton. After reading it her response was, "Where would I fit in?" At one point k.d.lang was suggested and simply dismissed. The Weisslers had no idea who she was. Even with that fantastic score, I'm afraid it's become a relic and that a major revival is most unlikely.

taragel2 said: "I saw Bernadette, Reba, and possibly also Crystal Bernard? (Not entirely sure on that last one, and if I did see her, she was probably somewhat unmemorable, though I liked her a lot in Wings.) Reba was a perfect fitand my favorite. Peters is Broadway royalty but an odd fit for the role. Performed it very beautifully, but her voice is so distinctive and very not country and.. IDK. When I saw Reba, Dolly Parton was there in the row across from us and gave her a standing ovation. We wonderedat the time if she would take the role next, but sounds like she had already passed and was just there as a spectator. If they were to revive it and cast another country star, I think Miranda Lambert would be perfect. She's even living in NY part-time now."

I'd love to see Miranda sing this score! Back when Waitress had just premiered on Broadway, I thought she and her side band the Pistol Annies would make great stunt casts for the three leading ladies - they had the perfect harmonies and Southern spunk for the roles.

My parents saw the show with Reba for their anniversary, before I was born, and they thought she was absolutely perfect, which seems to be a common opinion. I don't condone filming bootlegs for obvious reasons, but if there was one performance I'd love to see that I never had an opportunity to, as a country music AND Broadway fan, that would be near the top of my list, if not the actual top.

Demitri2 said: "My all-time favorite production of this show played Los Angeles and San Francisco back in 1977. Gower Champion did a truly magnificentjob directing and the star was Debbie Reynolds who at the time was not one of my favorites. She couldn't have acted or sung the role any better. I was fortunate to see her in WOMAN OF THE YEAR years later and once again was impressed by her personal take on the role. I asked a friend why her ANNIE GET YOUR GUN never traveled to Broadway as was planned initiallysince it got great revues on the West coast. He said Reynoldshad played Broadway in her one-woman show titled DEBBIE just a year earlier and it tanked big time opening and closing in the month of September 1776. Whether true or not, he felt she was afraid to test the waters on Broadway so soon after her personal failure. A pity because the audience loved her as Annie.

"

Poor Debbie. It can't have been easy trying to open a show in the middle of the revolution.

AGYG is NOT one of my favorite shows, but due to odd circumstances I saw that revival four times.

With Bernadette, Cheryl Ladd and Reba. I also saw the opening night of the tour in Dallas with Marilu Henner.

Bernadette played it too much like a hick for my liking.

I LOVED Cheryl -- I thought she commanded the stage and you're right, Patrick Cassidy was delightful.

Reba was ABSOLUTELY perfect and that is when the 'replacement Tony' was seriously considered. That performance is a great argument for that Tony.

Marilu Henner was HORRIBLE -- I absolutely hated her in the role. She lacked charisma and didn't sing it well.

How was Susan Lucci? (covering my ears)

I have the OBCR and I really like Bernadette. Some have said she overplays the twang, especially in light of the fact that Annie Oakley was from Ohio, so it just doesn't fit anyway.

But how did Reba play it then? Since there would have been a twang there too, and it's natural for her.

I would think of all of them Reba would be the best. She's got the voice, the look and the attitude for the part. But if a twang doesn't work for the other actresses because AO was from Ohio, how did it work with Reba?

Reba was amazingly authentic where Bernadette was...well, Bernadette.

Had lost of problems with the new, mostly unnecessary book I remember...