Opening Night: DFMS Presents 'Annie Get Your Gun'

 Dobbs Ferry Middle School students will be performing the hit musical Annie Get Your Gun Friday and Saturday evenings at the Ardsey Middle School.    

A cast/ensemble of 26 talented students from fifth through eighth grade and a large student-run stage crew—that also includes some high school students—make up the production team. Middle School art teacher Jeff Gonzalez doubles as set director and designer, and art teacher Dara Goodman is the artistic director. Middle School music teacher Michele Johnson, who has been with the district only since September, serves as music director/choreographer and Dobbs Ferry parent and directing veteran Cheryl Beer returns as the show’s director. The pit band is spearheaded by music teacher Tony Speziale, with accompaniment by former Dobbs Ferry student (class of 2009) Mark Olesko. The Springhurst Singers will also perform.

“The kids did a wonderful job with this production,” said Ms. Johnson. “There were many obstacles this year with the crazy snow schedule and the auditorium re-furbishing.  They were consummate professionals who were able to roll with the schedule, because the show must go on. And after all, There's No Business Like Show Business!”

Annie Get Your Gun first opened at the Imperial Theatre on May 16, 1946, and ran for 1,147 performances. It was the third longest running musical of the 1940s and the biggest Broadway hit of Ethel Merman's career. In 1966, she returned to the role for a revival at Lincoln Center. The 1950 screen adaptation starred Betty Hutton and Howard Keel. The 1999 Broadway revival showcased Bernadette Peters.

The story revolves around Annie Oakley, an illiterate hillbilly with a knack for shooting guns. Persuaded to join Buffalo Bill's traveling Wild West Show, she soon falls hopelessly in love with Frank Butler, the show's featured shooting ace. But when Annie eclipses Frank as the show's main attraction, she realizes she'll have to make some hard choices if she wants to win the man she loves.

The show is scheduled for Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19 at 7 p.m. in the Ardsley Middle School Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and free for senior citizens. Tickets are available through Payschools and can also be purchased at the door.

Cast members are: 

Frank Butler - Collin Wisniewski

Buffalo Billy - Mia Beccerra

Dolly Tate- Beckett Morris

Tommy Keeler - Matthew McCormick

Winnie Tate  -Zoe Halatyn

Charlie - Justin Cohen

Chief Sitting Bull- Gabrielle Rossillo

Foster Wilson/Running Deer - Catherine White

Annie Oakley - Bailey McGillian

Jesse/Shirley Adams - Yukali Okkotsu

Nellie/Lady #1 - Hannah McDade

Little Jane/Mrs. Sylvia Potter-Porter- JaimeRockafellow

Pawnee Billie - Ursula Hansberry

Eagle Feather  - Cara Cuhane

Dining Car Waiter, Car Porter, Messenger/Band Leader- Gus Lane