'Annie Get Your Gun' opens at SCT Friday

(Photo submitted) Annie and rival Frank Butler get a little cozy during a scene in SCT's production of "Annie Get Your Gun" which kicks off the 2008-09 stage season at the playhouse Friday, Oct. 10 with a 7:30 p.m. curtain.

"Anything you can do, I can do better."

Or, at least, Irving Berlin can.

"Annie Get Your Gun" has been a blockbuster for more than 50 years, and Irving Berlin's show still knocks out audiences a half century later with one successful revival after another on Broadway.

Northwest Iowa can now share in the fun as SCT presents the latest Tony Award-winning revival version of this Broadway hit in eight performances October 10 through 25.

This is the first show of our 2008 Mainstage Season, which also includes "It's a Wonderful Life," "The Taffetas," and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Season tickets, which offer discounts and preferred seating, are also on sale at this time. For tickets and information please call us at 262-7336.

The story of real-life sharpshooter Annie Oakley falling in love with her rival, Frank Butler, is bursting with non-stop hits: "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better," "Doin' What Comes Natur'lly," "They Say it's Wonderful," and "I Got the Sun in the Morning."

"Annie Get Your Gun" features a large cast of veteran actors as well as actors new to the SCT stage. Making their SCT debuts as the leads of the show are Dr. Bethany Larson and Lucas Koster. Bethany, a professor at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, is Annie Oakley, the na*ve, spunky character around whom the musical revolves.

Lucas Koster of Spencer plays her love interest, and rival Frank Butler; F. Joseph Wilson, also making his SCT debut, is Buffalo Bill; Mark Joenks is Charlie Davenport; Jake Kluver is Sitting Bull; and Barb Larson is Dolly Tate.

The revival version features additional Irving Berlin songs performed by new characters- Tommy and Winnie, played by Ethan Batschelet and Jacqueline Ginger respectively. Twenty-six actors round out the cast, accompanied by a eight-piece live orchestra.

Roger Partridge directs while Deb Mechler serves as Music Director.

Tickets for "Annie Get Your Gun" are on sale now. Tickets may be reserved through the SCT Box Office at 262-7336. Box office hours are 11a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, and 25, with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays, Oct. 12 and 19.

Tickets are $16 apiece.

Saturday, Oct. 11 is a Bargain Night at which all patrons receive a discounted ticket price of $15. Friday, Oct. 17 is Senior Night at which seniors age 62 and over receive a special ticket price of $14.50.

"Annie Get Your Gun" is suitable for all ages.

SCT Playhouse is located one block off Grand Avenue in downtown Spencer at 518- 1st Ave. E. and is accessible to the physically challenged. Reserved parking stalls are located east of the facility.

"Annie Get Your Gun" is made possible with the help of a dual sponsorship from KICD AM 1240/ CD107.7/ Lite 104.9 and Thomas Physical Therapy Professionals.

* For more information, please visit the Spencer Community Theatre website for more information at www.spencercommunitytheatre.com.

Auditions for 'Wonderful Life' Monday and Tuesday

Auditions for the holiday production of "It's A Wonderful Life" are Monday, Oct. 13 and Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the SCT Playhouse, located one block off Grand Avenue in downtown Spencer: 518 1st Ave. E. Auditions begin promptly at 6 p.m. for children (ages 7-13) and 7 p.m. for adults. Please note that it is not necessary to attend both evenings of auditions; one or the other will suffice.

If you want to audition but aren't available during audition times, please contact SCT Artistic Director Cara Gerlock to schedule an alternate time, or come to the theatre Sunday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.

The shows tells the saga of George Bailey, the Everyman from the small town of Bedford Falls, whose dreams of escape and adventure have been quashed by family obligation and civic duty, whose guardian angel has to descend on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to remind him--by showing him what the world would have been like had he never been born--that his has been, after all, a wonderful life. This fine dramatization not only celebrates the faith of the season, it also celebrates the American philosophy of life: hard work, fair play and the love and support of one's family and community will be rewarded.

"It's a Wonderful Life" has a two-week run with performance dates scheduled for Dec. 5-7and 11-13.

The cast includes 12 men, 10 women, two to four boys ages 10-13, and two girls ages 7-10.

There is no need to prepare anything in advance unless you want to, but you may find it helpful to look over the script ahead of time. You're welcome to check out the script beforehand- they're available at the Playhouse between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Rehearsals begin Oct. 19, with no rehearsals during the Thanksgiving holiday. Amount of rehearsal time depends on the size of role.