Bay Street Proves: There’s No Business Like Show Business!

Irving Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun,” with the book by Dorothy Fields and Herbert Fields, gets a modern revival under the creative direction of Sarna Lapine. This show, one of the most beloved musicals of all times, has been updated to reflect politically correct, 21st century thinking, and it is a treasure to behold.

This family-friendly show is well staged by Ms. Lapine and well choreographed by Sarah O’Gleby. The period costumes are authentic and colorful, and the ever-changing set is thrilling to watch. The live musicians (Shawn Gough, Scott Kuney, Douglas Baldwin, Lizzie Hagstedt, and Ed Chiarello) and the actors themselves who played instruments, add an exciting energy to the show. You’ll find yourself tapping your feet and singing along to the many beloved show tunes, such as: ”Doin’ What Comes Naturally,” There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun,” and “Anything You can Do.”

Alexandra Socha is outstanding in this updated version of Annie Oakley. She is brazen, sure of herself, and strong-willed. Her dancing, acting, and singing were all top-notch, and she never missed a beat. There was great onstage chemistry between Ms. Socha and Matt Saldivar, who gave a most likable performance as her love interest, Frank Butler. Their tender rendition of, "They Say It’s Wonderful,” with Mr. Saldivar playing the guitar, was one of the highlights of the show.

The entire cast works brilliantly together. Jennifer Sánchez is very believable as Dolly Tate, and Jonathan Joss gives a very strong performance as Sitting Bull. George Abud as Charlie, the fast-talking manager of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, seems to steal the show every time he appears on stage. Isa Mooney as Jessie and Meaghan McInnes as Nellie both gave memorable performances, and Will Hantz was delightful as Little Jake. Oge Agulué as Pawnee Bill, Orville Mendoza as Buffalo Bill, and Stephen Lee Anderson as Foster Wilson, were all great. Aidan Ziegler-Hansen, Allison Walsh, Davis MacLeod Haines, Erica Spyres and Kara Mikula, the ensemble members, with their sideshow tricks, dances, instruments, and wisecracks, added to the overall tempo and musicality of the show.

The creative team, includes: Mikiko Suzuki MacAdams (Set Design), Andy Einhorn (Music Director), Jiyoun Chang (Lighting Design), Valérie Thérèse Bart (Costume Design), Jane Shaw (Sound Design), Elizabeth Printz (Wig, Hair and Makeup Design), Lena Forman (Props Design), Erik Della Penna (Orchestration & Music Arrangement), Jane Pole (Stage Manager) and Binder Casting (Casting).

Fiddling, foot-stomping, fiery fun, Bay Street’s “Annie Get your Gun,” is a sure shot winner!

Tickets are on sale now by calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500 open daily 11 am – show time or log on to baystreet.org.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright, and the author of two spiritual self-help books, "Grant Me a Higher Love," and "Why Good People Can't Leave Bad Relationships." Her full-length romantic comedy, "Angel's Mice and Men," just had its world premiere at the Hudson Guild Theater as part of the NY Summerfest 2019 Theater Festival.