How to live Scrappily Ever After
Annie Get Yer Gun, great Music Circus show

A Review by Justine tenZeldam
Guest Writer

If you've never been to a show at Sacramento's Music Circus at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, saddle up and get there as quick as you can! No longer in a circus tent, this full featured theater offers all the amenities you'd expect in the way of beverages, food, comfortable seating and, most importantly during a Sacramento summer, air conditioning! And, if tickets to a big show make you gun shy, rest assured you will definitely get a big "bang for your buck" with one of their productions. ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ was no exception, as it told the well-known tale of the odd couple Annie Oakley (played by Beth Malone) and Frank Butler (played by Edward Watts) sharpshooters who “butt heads”, initially, only to fall in love, and later live “Scrappily Ever After” as the line goes. Photo: Beth Malone in Annie Get Your Gun at Music Circus, by Charr Crail

The show was nothing short of amazing, and really gives you a Broadway Show experience, right in downtown Sacramento. Everything from the costumes to the sets to the orchestra were chosen to wow, with performers who bring a broad range of experience, and even "star power" to this intimate venue (seats 2,200).
Photo: Ron Wisniski in Annie Get Your Gun at Music Circus, by Charr Crail

If you do make it to the final performance of Annie Get Yer Gun, you should also be prepared for numerous versions of the song "There's No Business Like Show Business," a familiar tune that was used in many Irving Berlin projects. The lead actress, Beth Malone, has quite a resume and truly harkens a young Reba McEntire (in fact, McEntire has played this part as well, so she's either studied it or it's just a wonderful coincidence). Other credits to this talented young woman include a stint as June Carter in the Broadway show, 'Ring of Fire', based on the life of legendary country music star Johnny Cash. Malone is also slated to appear in the feature film, ‘Hick’, due out this year. In that role, she'll be playing a Nebraska teen gets more than she bargained for when she sets out for the bright lights of Las Vegas. The movie also stars Alec Baldwin, Juliette Lewis and Blake Lively.

Annie's counterpart in the play is Frank Butler, and with his stature and beautiful tenor voice, it's easy to imagine him starring in ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’, amongst many others to his credit. His movie star good looks have not been overlooked by television, either, as he played Judd on As the World Turns, starred in One Life to Live, had a recurring role as a bartender on the popular HBO Series, The Sopranos, and recently appeared on an episode of the popular TV show, Rescue Me. He also pulls off the rhinestone-studded chap look really well, thanks to the amazing costume designs by David Draper, whose work can also be seen on the stage of the renowned American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Photo: Jill Townsend and Michael D. Jablonski in Annie Get Your Gun at Music Circus, by Charr Crail

Ron Wisinksi, who plays Buffalo Bill, really looks, sounds and "feels" the part. It's not the first time he's played the role, though, and he's also carried off FDR and Teddy Roosevelt (and won awards in the process). It's easy to imagine him as a Gold Country native, frozen in time from a bygone age. Paul Ainsley played Chief Sitting Bull, quite true to form, which can be a little tough to watch if you have Native American blood in you (the 1930's, when this was written, were not exactly "politically correct"). One witty barb took aim at Indian Casinos, in a funny and ironic way that was appreciated by at least one member of the audience, said reviewer). Photo: Ron Wisniski (center) and the cast of in Annie Get Your Gun at Music Circus, by Charr Crail

The “Music Circus” which began in a tent over 60 years ago has a long and storied history, and endured through good times and bad. It is a California tradition that, luckily, shows no signs of being broken any time soon. Just ask Paul Ainsley who plays Papa Bill in this production Annie Get Yer Gun. Forty years ago (the last time Annie was produced by the Music Circus) he played the role of Sitting Bull, and just two decades ago, he played the leading man, Frank Butler. With any luck, we will see him and his cohorts on that stage for decades more to come.

Upcoming productions at Music Circus include “I do, I do!” and “Miss Saigon”. Ticket prices start at $42.50, with certain levels of donors granted access the Members Lounge, during performances (a great way to meet those inside the production). There are also discounts for groups of 12 or more. You can purchase tickets by calling (916) 557-1999 808-5181, in Person at the Wells Fargo Pavilion box office at 1419 H Street, Sacramento, at the Community Center Theater box office, 1301 L Street, Sacramento, or online at http://Tickets.com (online fees apply).  More information can be found on the web at www.californiamusicaltheatre.com

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