THE HANGOVER REPORT – Megan Hilty is smashing in City Center’s gala performance of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN

IMG_5019Last night, I attended City Center’s inspired gala concert performance of Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun and had a grand old time. Indeed, it was one of those nights that I cherish living in this incredible, vital city.

The sassy, big-voiced Megan Hilty headlined the the concert as Annie Oakley, and she was simply smashing in a role she was born to play. Her sexy yet unstoppable renditions of the indestructible Irving Berlin classics (including the eminently hummable “I Got the Sun in the Morning”, “Anything You Can Do”, and of course “There’s No Business Like Show Business”) brought the house down time and time again. Ms. Hilty had a swell Frank Butler in the handsome Andy Karl, who brought undeniable sex appeal and charisma to the role. Their chemistry together was absolutely electric and thrilling to watch because of its inevitability.  The deluxe cast also includes Chuck Cooper, Brad Oscar, Ron Raines, and Judy Kaye – all were in top form.

John Rando refreshingly kept the “staging” simple, letting his stellar cast, the luxurious Encores! orchestra (wonderfully conducted by Rob Berman), and Irving Berlin’s immortal score speak for themselves. Is it too soon to bring Annie Get Your Gun back to the Great White Way (it’s been a little more than 15 years since Bernadette Peters handled the gun on Broadway)? Well, with this cast, I’d say most certainly not.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

 

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN
Off-Broadway, Musical
New York City Center
2 hours (with one intermission)
One more performance on October 28

Categories: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Theater

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