A "Behind-the-Scenes" Look of Annie Get Your Gun

The Blank Canvas!

I recently had the great opportunity to visit the cast of Annie Get Your Gun, and brought back with me a few juicy teasers for your enjoyment!

Rebecca Washko and Abigail Worthing

Once the music rehearsal (led by Music Director Rebekkah Willey) began, I waded through the shadows listening to the sweet sounds of "Moonshine Lullaby" and the vivacious chorus of “There’s No Business Like Show Business”.  I took time to wander around the room and observe the cast attentively as they crooned.  

Brandon Pullen  and  Rebekkah Willey

They all worked hard; Rebekkah often stopping to explain difficult parts of the written harmonies and playing them out slowly on the piano as the cast dutifully followed along in their song books and repeating the verses.  It was obvious that despite the hard work, they were having a total blast. I did my best to remain a wall flower as I listened. I snapped a few pictures and tapped my toe the entire time.  I think it was a true test of my will not to start singing along  to the well known and beloved tunes written by Irving Berlin and simply observe.

I couldn't help but notice that during rehearsal, costume designer Louise Keezer zoomed through the theater bringing down props, gowns, western styled hats and boots from the costume closets.  She took a moment to take a breather and share with me a few of the items she is preparing to try on the cast as "possibles" for the final costumes.  She she also shared with me that she is very excited to be working on this show; though she is still preparing for the undertaking of costuming such an enormous ensemble as this one.  Having worked with Louise in the past as an actress and a costuming helper, I have unmitigated  faith that she will, as always, out do herself and surprise us all with her pure genius.

I continued my meanderings into the box office where Kristi Drew, Producer for the show, was exercising her mutli-tasking skills.  She took a moment from her ever expanding "To Do" list to speak with me.  For those who don't know Kristi, she is a long time veteran of both Lyric Music Theater and Portland Players Theater.  In the past, she has usually been seen on stage, not working on the behind-the-scenes production side of a show.  Annie Get Your Gun will be the first show Kristi has been a producer for, as well as her first time working with director Wil Kilroy.

I asked Kristi what had led her to her wanting to try her hand a producing.  She replied that originally, she had been asked to join the Board of Directors at Lyric.  That is an understandably huge commitment, served purely on a volunteer basis.  Before she endeavored to join the board, she first hoped to learn the production side of theater.  She believes that by producing and experiencing the work that is required to get a show up and running she will be able to better understand the "behind the scenes" people and the effort they have to put into every run of a show that make those performing on stage look amazing.

I continued to ask Kristi if she was nervous attempting her first producing role.  Not only was Wil a director that she had never met or worked with before, but he was also a new director to Lyric. Kristi replied with a big smile stating that "Everyone has different styles and different ways of doing everything.  I was definitely very nervous, but very welcoming to the challenge." She elaborated that it is an equal opportunity to learn new practices of a new director and also gain her footing in the production staff.  Both of which will enrich her knowledge of theater from a perspective other than that of an actress.

I asked her if she has encountered anything (so far) that has been a big challenge for her and has there been anything as equally rewarding.  She laughed softly as she contemplated my questions before saying, "Yes, and I think that it is because I've never been on the other side of things. So scheduling, knowing who needs what nights off and when, has been difficult." She explained that in Community Theater, pretty much every person is there on a volunteer basis.  Those same people work all day and have families. As the producer, you are potentially dealing with a large ensemble of 20 and all of their scheduling needs and conflicts.  As for the reward part of my question, she remarked that the whole experience has been rewarding because you are able learn something new every day. She is, of course, anxious to see how everything from the production side and the performance of the actors merge together to create a final product, but that's just part of the process of getting everything done that needs to be done and ensuring you give the audience a fantastic experience.


My final question  for Kristi was what juicy teasers would she give us about what we could expect from this production, to which she mischievously replied, "All I'm going to say at this point is we have a fantastic ensemble. I think that the audience is going to be pleasantly surprised at the life they've given to this show. We've got a couple tricks up our sleeves, but other than that you'll have to come and see for yourselves what I'm talking about."

If you haven't already bought your tickets, you will want to do so immediately.  Many folks wait for the second or third weekends to attend the show or purchase tickets just before a showing.  As demonstrated with Evita, performances quickly sold out and those folks never got to see the spectacular performance.  So don't wait! Pre-order now online at www.lyricmusictheater.org!

Article and photographs by Crystal Giordano