Classic Americana, the Wild West, outlaws and musical classics are some of the treats that are offered in the latest showcase in the Winthrop Musical Theatre.
This upcoming show in Winthrop University’s Johnson Hall is “Annie Get Your Gun” starting on Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. The showcase will feature a story about the tension filed romance of Annie Oakley and Frank Butler, featuring musical selections from prolific American composer, Irving Berlin. Associate theater professor Matthew Ferrell is directing the musical.
“I believe the most challenging aspect has been getting the students to buy into the choice. When the show was announced, many students were upset because they felt it was racist and old-fashioned,” Farrell said. “I think the students cast in the production have really enjoyed performing a show they were unfamiliar with and most have had a change of heart and find the show to be humorous, touching and relevant.”
The play centers around an old western theme.
Senior musical theater major Logan Cosper is playing the role of Dolly Tate, the villain in the show. She is excited to play a character that helps challenge audience members through the core message of the play.
“This play is important to me because it teaches the all-important lesson of not judging a book by its cover. It is all about inclusion, and unapologetic individuality,” Cosper said. “It’s been interesting to see things from my character’s perspective and get into the head of someone who is prejudiced and see the power that ignorance can have and how it can lead to a lifetime of negativity.”
Ferrell had previous experience with directing this play, which especially helped when focusing on choosing the students for the roles and teaming up with the musical department.
“We were looking for a classic American musical and I knew that audiences responded well to this show. I also thought it would be a good choice to introduce our students to the style of this type of musical,” Ferrell said. “I also felt it would be a good choice of a show that could use a big, orchestral sound.”
Cosper is excited for the production to come out in the second week of February, which will allow students and parents to enjoy an entertaining play over Valentine’s Day.
“For students, the play has to offer its amazing music, talented cast, and the overall roller coaster love story of Annie Oakley and Frank Butler. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day weekend,” Cosper said.
Ferrell was impressed and excited to see actors like Cosper challenge herself with the complex subject matter and exploring the thought process of characters in days gone by in Americana, giving students something to think about.
“Logan is taking on a role that many actresses didn’t want to portray because she is mean spirited, and hateful as well as prejudiced towards others. I applaud her bravery in tackling this complex villain,” Ferrell said.
Another key player is Sebastian Sowell, who is playing the protagonist Annie Oakley in her first lead role of a mainstage production at Winthrop.
“Annie Oakley was a woman who was way ahead of her time in her day. The more I learned about her, the more important this role and the show became to me,” Sowell said. “This cast is also just full of great talent that brings this show to life. It’s a heartfelt dramatized love story that is perfect for Valentine’s Day coming up, but it’s also an entertaining adventure for the audience as well as the cast.”
“Annie Get Your Gun opens on Feb. 13.
Sowell’s time in rehearsing for the show has given her, and her castmates, a challenge unlike any they’re used to.
“This show is definitely not the kind of show where you can get by relying on others, and our director, music director, and choreographer have made that very clear to us. We are working very hard as an ensemble and on our own,” Sowell said.
“Sebastian has some of the best work ethic I have ever seen in anyone. It is an honor to share the stage with her. My character hates hers, so that is sometimes difficult, but she is just an excellent cast member, actor, singer, dancer, and friend,” Cosper said.
“Annie Get Your Gun” will seek to entertain Winthrop students about the culture of the Wild West, but also explain the importance of musicals and their power to imitate life and history as a reflection of our own world.
“It’s important for several reasons; the iconic Irving Berlin score is an American classic, the story is based on actual historical events. It’s important that we keep this type of musical alive and continue to tell the story so we can see how far we’ve come, yet how far we need to go,” Ferrell said.
“Annie Get Your Gun” is presented by the Winthrop Musical Theatre in Johnson Theatre. The play will run from Feb. 13–16 at 8 p.m., and Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets for the show for are $10 for students with a Winthrop ID and $15 for the general public.
