One of America’s female superstars was Annie Oakley. So to be an actress and portray this legend on stage, you need to be someone special.
Village Theatre artistic director Steve Tomkins said he’s found that special person in Vicki Noon, who he cast as Annie in the musical “Annie Get Your Gun.” which opens tonight at Everett Performing Arts Center.
“From the get-go you knew she was something special,” said Tomkins who worked with Noon on “Cats” several years ago. “Her voice is just this incredible instrument and as a girl, she always sparkled on stage. So it’s just been a process of watching her develop those God-given talents and turn into a pro.”
Noon was a Village Theatre Kidstage kid and called a rising star by the Seattle Times in 1998.
Since then, Noon has gone on to star in Village Theatre mainstage shows such as “Cats” in 2006 and “Play it by Heart” in 2005.
Noon is also fresh off a second national tour of the musical “Wicked,” the Wizard-of-Oz-based story where she has played Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba.
Noon’s Annie is paired up with local theater favorite, Dane Stokinger as Frank Butler.
In “Annie Get Your Gun,” Annie, an amazing female sharpshooter, is crazy about Frank Butler, the heartthrob of Buffalo Bill’s traveling show, and he is crazy about her, though both are headstrong and competitive which leads to lots of conflict — funny and some not so funny.
Hugh Hastings, who was in Village Theatre’s production of “Stunt Girl” and “Little Women” plays Buffalo Bill.
“The show is about a relationship and this couple needs to have chemistry and pizzazz and they do,” Tomkins said. “They make the show sparkle.”
Tomkins said the vocal talent in this production is allowing the pop and country feel of the music to be turned up a notch.
“Annie” is enduring for its brilliant musical score by Irving Berlin that includes “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “I Got The Sun in the Morning,” “The Girl That I Marry” and “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better.”
Tomkins said though Village Theatre has found a strong Annie, this production can’t go on without an equally strong Sitting Bull.
Tomkins said he got lucky when he found Johnny Patchamatla to play Sitting Bull. Patchamatla is an American Indian and is from Everett. Tomkins said he’s “got such a presence, he’s very funny and has a great dignity.”
Later stage versions of “Annie Get Your Gun” made the show’s portrayal of American Indians in society much more acceptable to contemporary audiences, Tomkins said.
“It was real important for me to have a Native American who played the role of Sitting Bull,” Tomkins said. “And he’s even more wonderful than I imagined.”
Annie Oakley was a megastar for her sharpshooting ability but also fought for women’s rights. A role model for sure.
“I think every little girl should see this show,” Tomkins said. “Talk about breaking glass ceilings, she shot through them.”
“Annie Get Your Gun” opens at 8 tonight at Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. Shows are 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m. selected Tuesdays and 7 p.m. selected Sundays through Jan. 29. Tickets are $20 to $56. Call 425-257-8600 or go to www.villagetheatre.org.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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