Annie Get Your Gun
at Fullerton Union

Reviewed on March 20, 2015

Jake Garberg
La Habra High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Fullerton Union does what comes "natur'lly"
written by Jake Garberg, a junior at La Habra High School

Finding love, at times, can be a shot in the dark. Luckily for the cast of Fullerton Union High School's production of "Annie Get Your Gun," the combination of wonderful vocals and dynamic relationships gives them the perfect aim.

In this 1999 re-imagining of Irving Berlin's music and the Fields family's book, the life of famed sharpshooter, Annie Oakley, is followed from the inception of her act to her marriage with partner, Frank Butler. As Annie makes the transition from "hick" to All-American superstar, she struggles to adapt to her new environment, and yet still finds happiness where she most desires it.

Dedicated and enthusiastic, the cast creates realistic and engaging relationships that, in turn, create honest and multi-layered characters.

From rags to riches is the eccentric Annie Oakley, portrayed by the charming Summer Wagner. Armed with a booming voice and ever-present drawl, Wagner creates a lovable and sympathetic protagonist. Wagner's playfulness helps her to contrast greatly with the sternness of the world around her.

Discovering love where he least expects it is Annie's in-act partner, Frank Butler, played by the authoritative Andrew Hatfield. Hatfield's soft, but bold, voice, along with his careless saunter, work to add an unmatched confidence to his character. Hatfield's relationship with Wagner is best put on display in "Anything You Can Do," where the natural back and forth between the two reveals a balance between intense competitiveness and intense romance.

At the center of all the showmanship is Buffalo Bill Cody, portrayed by the charismatic Josiah Haugen, whose powerful demeanor, coupled with his refined and distinct accent, entrance any character coming into contact with him.

Portraying the loving, financially-fortunate Chief Sitting Bull is the hilarious Adam Ritter. Ritter's contract between serious and lighthearted moments work to create a commanding, yet empathizing, father figure for Annie.

The realistic make-up, produced by Caroline Bilger, Shiela Hernandez, Savannah Higginbotham, and Madeline Wilson, easily defines the age and personality of every character, from Buffalo Bill's eccentric goatee to Frank's masculine mustache. The in-sync gunshots are called skillfully by stage managers Katya Beener, Arcadia Eckmeyer, and McKenna Vargas, helping to add to the thrill of the show.

With believable relationships and soothing vocals, "Annie Get Your Gun" proves that some things are worth fighting for.

Siena Brown
SOCSA Dana Hills
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Fullerton Union's "Annie" Hits The Bullseye!
written by Siena Brown, a junior at SOCSA Dana Hills

Bang! Zing! Yee-haw! In a sudden explosion of color, light, and rip-roarin' fun, a troupe of cowboys and Indians floods the stage, wailing their vibrant tribute to entertainment, "There's No Business Like Show Business".

Fullerton Union's new production of "Annie Get Your Gun" is a rootin'-tootin' throwback to the good ole days of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Tour. The classic musical fictionalizes the real life relationship between Annie Oakley and Frank Butler, two headlining sharpshooters in Bill's show who struggle to nurture a blossoming romance in spite of their competitive personalities.

Summer Wagner leads the show as Annie, a feisty young woman who quickly works her way from the backcountry of Ohio to the sparkling world of traveling vaudeville. In her introductory song, "Doin' What Comes Natur'lly", Wagner uses a brassy belt and an exaggerated southern twang to express her silly and spunky personality. Despite her initial scrappiness, Annie's growing elegance is visible in songs like "Moonshine Lullaby", where Wagner sings with a gentle, fluttery tone. Her transition from gawky to graceful is also shown through her walk, which evolves from a high-kneed stride into a soft-footed glide.

Andrew Hatfield delights as Frank, a dashing and confident sharpshooting "champeen". Hatfield moves with a lazy saunter and speaks with a slow, alluring drawl to successfully create an aura of effortless charm. When he finally admits his love for Annie in "My Defenses Are Down", he croons with smooth, suave vocals that perfectly reflect his debonair persona.

Zachary Bane and Grace Weatrowski stand out as Tommy Keeler and Winnie Tate, two young lovers in Buffalo Bill's show. Their steady, youthful relationship is manifested by elated grins and tightly interlocked hands, and provides an interesting contradiction to the show's mercurial main romance.

In a show riddled with spectacular gun work, the sound (Sophia Veasy) and props (Zulemya Oropeza, Alexander Castro, Kendall Wenderlich) work in tandem to create a display that excites both eyes and ears alike. Popping balloons, falling birds, and streamer-shooting fireworks sync up perfectly with gunshots to create tricks reminiscent of the outrageous and outstanding feats of Buffalo Bill's original show.

Fullerton Union's "Annie Get Your Gun" is a hilarious and heart-warming production that takes the audience on a ride as wild as the west itself.

Gabby Romero
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Fullerton Union Right on Target with "Annie Get Your Gun"
written by Gabby Romero, a sophmore from Santa Margarita Catholic High School

As Buffalo Bill Cody strolls across the stage, the show lights up to display a colorful carnival and the cast of Fullerton Union High School's "Annie Get Your Gun" sings, "Let's go on with the show!"

So begins the story of talented sharpshooter Annie Oakley joining Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and traveling the country to perform, challenging Frank Butler's status as a champion shooter and charismatic womanizer.

Summer Wagner brings zest and energy to the titular role, Annie Oakley. She portrays Oakley's down-to-earth personality as she stumbles across the stage and speaks with a thick country twang. Wagner flawlessly balances rivalry and flirtation with Annie's love interest.

Andrew Hatfield perfectly captures the cockiness of the "champeen" sharpshooter Frank Butler. He smoothly saunters onstage as he boasts of his impeccable shooting skills. However, his charming masculinity shifts to competitive childishness when arguing with Annie, both his worst rival and dearest love.

Buffalo Bill Cody, played by Josiah Haugen, guides the show with his ever-present showmanship. With a tip of his cowboy hat and speaking in his captivating drawl, he asserts himself as the leader of the traveling Wild West show.

Adam Ritter shines as the Native American chief Sitting Bull and highlights the comedic qualities of the production. His stoicism is contrasted with a series of hilarious one-liners that balances the energetic humor of the rest of the cast.

The set, designed by Katya Beener and McKenna
Vargas, uniquely and creatively infuses Buffalo Bill's style onto a modern-day stage. At the sides of the stage, portraits of Annie, Frank, Buffalo Bill, and Sitting Bull are lit upon each character's entrance into the scene. The set pieces mimic the appearance of shipping crates, creating a stage that transports the audience to the Wild West.

Zuleyma Oropeza, Alexander Castro, and Kendall Wenderlich collaborate to create props that add vibrancy and excitement to the production. From the colorful balloons to the fireworks that shoot streamers into the air, the props prove that there is indeed no business like show business.

With enthusiasm and whimsy, the cast and crew of "Annie Get Your Gun" demonstrate the thrill and excitement of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.