Annie Oakley to take center stage at The Little Theatre

Josh Cobb/News Tribune photo: Taylor Sinclare as Frank Butler and Natalie Newberry as Annie Oakley rehearse for the play "Annie Get Your Gun" during The Little Theatre's rehearsal on Thursday, May 25, 2023.
Josh Cobb/News Tribune photo: Taylor Sinclare as Frank Butler and Natalie Newberry as Annie Oakley rehearse for the play "Annie Get Your Gun" during The Little Theatre's rehearsal on Thursday, May 25, 2023.

The story of the rough-and-tumble Annie Oakley will come to life on The Little Theatre's stage at the opening of "Annie Get Your Gun."

Telling a fictionalized version of the girl who used her great shooting skills to support her family, this lively musical is filled with familiar songs that people of all ages may recognize, including "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Doin' What Comes Natur'lly," "I Got Lost in His Arms," "I Got the Sun in the Mornin'," "Anything You Can Do" and "They Say It's Wonderful."

After being discovered by Buffalo Bill, Annie joins his Wild West Show and quickly gains a title for herself. What comes next involves competition and romance at every turn.

"Annie Get Your Gun" follows Annie and Frank Butler's journey in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show as they try to find balance between their competitive natures, high egos and the budding romance that simmers between them.

"Annie Oakley was a uniquely talented young woman. She was a symbol of strength and authenticity in a time when women were considered ornamental and were instructed to shut up and look pretty," director Shae Marie Eickhoff said.

Eickhoff is no stranger to directing. During the past four decades, she has directed countless shows and is thrilled to have the opportunity to direct one of her favorite productions.

Working alongside Eickhoff is musical director Abbey Ordway, stage manager Hannah Dolan, choreographer Natalie Wittenberger and assistant director Rebecca Seabaugh.

The cast includes an array of actors from Jefferson City, Columbia, Fulton, the Lake of the Ozarks and more.

Portraying Annie Oakley is Natalie Eickhoff-Newberry. Acting alongside her as Frank Butler is Taylor Sinclair, the second star of the Wild West Show.

Dale Eickhoff will be portraying Buffalo Bill and Peter Lyskowski will be playing his business manager, Charlie Davenport. Rival showman Pawnee Bill will be played by Troy Donehue, while the role of Sitting Bull will be filled by EC Walker.

Other cast members include Rani Foley as Dolly, Claire Huntley and Jack Bundy as Keeler and Tate, and Eleanor Bundy, Allison Amick, Carson Crain and Fisher Jones as Annie's siblings.

This show with its revisions will be performed in a tasteful way, respecting all peoples, according to the director.

"Annie Get Your Gun" opens June 8 and runs through June 10 at the Miller Performing Arts Center in Jefferson City. Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. and the Saturday matinee starts at 2 p.m.

Popcorn and water concessions will be available.

Tickets are available online at tltjc.org until Sunday. 

They are also available at the Miller Performing Arts Center box office. The box office hours are 5-7 p.m. on Monday-Wednesday, 5-7:30 p.m. on Thursday-Saturday, with an additional time frame of noon-2 p.m. on Saturday for the matinee.

  photo  Josh Cobb/News Tribune photo: Natalie Newberry as Annie Oakley performs her part of the song "Anything You Can Do" during The Little Theatre's rehearsal for the play "Annie Get Your Gun" on Thursday, May 25, 2023. The play is being put on by The Little Theater June 8-10 at Miller Performing Arts Center.
 
 
  photo  Josh Cobb/News Tribune photo: Taylor Sinclare as Frank Butler performs his part of the song "Anything You Can Do" during The Little Theatres rehearsal for the play "Annie Get Your Gun" on Thursday, May 25, 2023. The play is being put on by The Little Theatre June 8-10 at Miller Performing Arts Center.