Actors from ‘90’s ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ wanted for show

RESERVE — St. John Theatre produces a musical each summer featuring members of the community, and 2015 is no exception.

Actors, singers, dancers, musicians and technicians are preparing for the Friday opening night of this year’s show, “Annie Get Your Gun.”

The familiar sound of Irving Berlin’s music and the wholesome wit of the Herbert and Dorothy Field’s book will delight audiences as they take a trip with Annie and the cast as members of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.

Opening weekend of the production will see some added excitement as former thespians return to St. John Theatre for a special celebration.

“Annie Get Your Gun” was first produced by the theater in 1990. This summer marks the 25th anniversary of that production.

Former cast and crewmembers of the original production will gather again to mark the occasion at the July 19 matinee performance.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for those of us who worked on the original production to come together and catch up with old friends,” said Donna Laurent, director of the 1990 production. “So many of us participated in the show every summer with friends or family members. We will be coming back to our theater home for our theater family reunion.”

A networking effort has been under way to locate former cast and crewmembers.

“We would love to see all our former cast and crewmembers attend the reunion,” Laurent said.

Anyone who has been missed can contact Laurent at sjt.agyg25@gmail.com for details and more information. Plans for the reunion include special admission, recognition and a reception.

The original and current productions have some things in common.

Greer M. Millet, director of this year’s production, was in the cast of the original production. Sterling Snowdy was conducting in the orchestra pit in 1990, like he will be doing again this summer.

Laurent said the production team also enjoyed a real life wedding during preparations for the 1990 show.

“Many of us involved in the show were also in the wedding,” Laurent said.

“It was a wonderful, wild summer. I cast Greer (Millet) as Dolly in the play; Kevin, her husband, was in the chorus. Their wedding was in June right in the middle of rehearsals. They took the script on their honeymoon to learn lines and came back to start their married life being in rehearsal at the theater every night.

“I guess it was fate that Greer would be directing this show when it was time to celebrate their 25th anniversary.”

“Annie Get Your Gun” will run July 17-19 and July 22-25 at the St. John Theatre in Reserve. All shows begin are at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of the July 19 2:30 p.m. matinee.

Tickets are $15 for regular admission, $12 for seniors and $10 for children. They may be purchased at the door or in advance at Allied Express.