Questions about the 1999 revival "Annie Get Your Gun"

[David10086]

I didn't see the AGYG revival with Bernadette Peters, but I did see it with Cheryl Ladd (it was a blizzard in NY, my friend and I were staying in Times Square, the performance went on to a 3/4 empty theater and we had great seats at half price). I have to say Ladd was thoroughly enjoyable, as was her costar Patrick Cassidy. Ladd really took control of the show, with a few winks to the audience - it was one of the last performances she did that January. I'm surprised she was never cast in another Broadway musical - she was quite the talent.

That said, how many saw the 199 revival, and what were your thoughts ?  I know Peters got a Tony and rave reviews, and Susan Lucci subbed for her (and got decent reviews). Peters was followed by Ladd for the Fall (1999-2000) and then Reba took over to rave reviews for a few months - then Crystal Bernard. Was this revival planned for Peters or did she win the role over other actresses ? 

Did anyone see all 5 actresses ? Some have said Reba was the best. What are your thoughts ? What did you think of the revival as a whole ? Is it time for another revival ? 

[nealb1]

Yes, BP was specifically picked to star in the revival.  She was wonderful.  I did see Reba, and she was just so good.  She was perfect in the role.  She had the charm, spunk and vulnerability for Annie Oakley.  Both ladies were fantastic.  

[nasty_khakis]

I know Reba got very busy with a successful sitcom for years right after that and I know she makes more money touring for a month than she'd make in months on Broadway, but I'm still shocked she never returned after getting that kind of unanimous praise and welcome. She would have been a great Dolly and I wonder if she was approached and turned it  down. She's definitely a Bette-level name that would have sold the tickets at the prices Rudin wanted. 

[qolbinau]

I didn't see the revival but coincidentally I just read the revised script a couple days ago - while sometimes people claim BP was 'miscast', the show seems to make a lot more sense to me with BP playing the role than Ethel Merman because BP would be able to perfectly transform to a girl described in the lyrics of "The Girl That I Marry", and the score has a number of vulnerable moments that sound almost revolutionary when Bernadette sings it compared to others ("You Can't Get a Man with a Gun" [and reprise]; "Moonshine Lullaby", "They Say It's Wonderful", "I Got Lost in his Arms". In excellent vocal health at this period in her career, "I Got The Sun In the Morning" is a joy to listen to and "Anything You Can Do" is great fun, too.

Plus, part of what appears to make BP so funny in this role is that, especially at the beginning of the show, she is playing a character that is so unlike her real personality in terms of accent & manner that it just adds to the humour. 

Sad that Bernadette does not revisit this show in concerts (anymore, at least). 

[Ravenclaw]

Did not see the '99 revival, but to answer your last question, "Is it time for another revival?" I have to say that I can't see this show appearing again without EXTENSIVE rewrites to the book. I know the '99 production had a revised book, but... it's still got problems.

[Flowerlovestage5]

I saw this revival the first month it opened at the Marquis. The opening number was enchanting as were Tom Wopat’s vocals. The theme of the show within that circus tent was a lot of fun for the opening. Peters gave a star performance in a classic musical. Though not who I would immediately think of as Annie Oakley, Peters soft and pretty looks were a contrast to the backwoods gal she was playing. I found she had a tomboy quality about her and a roll-up-your-sleeves attitude in replace of her usual elegance. If that makes any sense to those of you reading this. I’m talking about the energy she projected from within. She hunted and did all those things as Oakley, keeping up with the boys around her — despite what some might view her (stereotypically) due to her stature and persona. There was a scrappiness about her. I remember the theatre was almost hushed when she sang Moonshine Lullaby. She and Wopat paired together very well. It was an exciting evening.

Flash forward several years later and we went back to see Reba. I remember looking at my mother after the show and telling her that I actually preferred Reba over Bernadette. That said, each person is that of their own. However, Reba truly knocked it out of the park. It was very evident to me that Reba’s true-blue country vibe mixed with her warm earthiness was a perfect fit for the role. I felt like I was watching Reba in her own backyard (that’s a compliment). Even better, the entire cast gravitated to her every move. The energy was electric from performer to audience. Reba is a natural actress and a comedic one to boot. Between dialogue and song, she proved herself a true entertainer of musical theatre.

Bernadette gave us her brassy trumpet of vocals while Reba sang the Berlin songs effortlessly with her “country flare.” Both nuanced, vulnerable, and strong. Reba did give the songs a different life compared to how most musical theatre singers would execute the numbers. She did so without changing the melodies or notes. Just brilliant.

[Demitri2]

I didn't care for the staging of this revival at all. I did see it with Peters and Ladd. I was disappointed that the supporting players two songs were gone by the time Ladd started her run. I recall asking the usher at intermission why the songs were all of a sudden dropped. His reply, "Well, now everyone gets to leave the theatre fifteen minutes earlier."

My all-time favorite production of this show played Los Angeles and San Francisco back in 1977. Gower Champion did a truly magnificent job directing and the star was Debbie Reynolds who at the time was not one of my favorites. She couldn't have acted or sung the role any better. I was fortunate to see her in WOMAN OF THE YEAR years later and once again was impressed by her personal take on the role. I asked a friend why her ANNIE GET YOUR GUN never traveled to Broadway as was planned initially since it got great revues on the West coast. He said Reynolds had played Broadway in her one-woman show titled DEBBIE just a year earlier and it tanked big time opening and closing in the month of September 1976. Whether true or not, he felt she was afraid to test the waters on Broadway so soon after her personal failure. A pity because the audience loved her as Annie.

In summer stock productions many recording, TV, stage, and film actresses attempted playing Annie including Lucie Arnaz, Patti Page, Lee Remick, Barbara Eden, and even a more mature Ginger Rogers (who was just two years younger than the Merm). But once again, IMO Debbie and Gower's production of the show was by far the best I've ever seen. 

 

[ChangingMyMajorToJo]

This revival was my first broadway show so I’m definitely biased (and coming from the mind of a then six year old) but I can look back at it as a well cast, solid revival. The choreography and set design of that opening number is something I vaguely remember to this day. I saw Crystal Bernard but listened to the cast recording obsessively prior to and in the years following and Bernadette’s performance has always been one where if I had a time machine, I’d love to go back and see.

In regards to a revival, my immediate gut reaction is to say yes, however logically it would need a lot of work to fly with a 2021 audience. You would really need to further develop the feminist/independent themes of Annie and keep it more consistent throughout the story and make her relationship with Frank incredibly secondary. Frank as a character would also need to be altered in a way that promotes Annie’s individualism instead of treating her like his subordinate. Jenn Collella immediately comes to mind in terms of the type of casting I think it would need in regards to the type of revival I’m thinking of but I’m sure there are others. This of course is also not even touching the fact that some of the central themes (pro gun, negative representation of Native Americans, overall misogyny) would also need some drastic rewrites. 

 

[Wilmingtom]

I'm in the camp who thinks the invaluable BP was miscast. At the beginning of the show her accent was so thick you'd be forgiven for thinking she was mentally challenged. Annie is from Ohio, not Appalachia. She delivered her ballads as if it was her club act (I'll lay some blame for that at the feet of John McDaniels, whom I adore). Wopat was terrific but the rewrite didn't grab me (with all due respect to the legendary Peter Stone). "There's No Business Like Show Business" is a number you build up to and make the audience wait for, you don't open with it. Reba was to the manner born in every regard. You believed every word she said.  The kid playing Annie's brother, Little Jake, said, "Reba talks just like Annie even when she's offstage!" Early in the process they sent the script to Dolly Parton. After reading it her response was, "Where would I fit in?" At one point k.d.lang was suggested and simply dismissed. The Weisslers had no idea who she was. Even with that fantastic score, I'm afraid it's become a relic and that a major revival is most unlikely. 

[taragel2]

I saw Bernadette, Reba, and possibly also Crystal Bernard? (Not entirely sure on that last one, and if I did see her, she was probably somewhat unmemorable, though I liked her a lot in Wings.)  Reba was a perfect fit and my favorite. Peters is Broadway royalty but an odd fit for the role. Performed it very beautifully, but her voice is so distinctive and very not country and.. IDK. When I saw Reba, Dolly Parton was there in the row across from us and gave her a standing ovation. We wondered at the time if she would take the role next, but sounds like she had already passed and was just there as a spectator. If they were to revive it and cast another country star, I think Miranda Lambert would be perfect. She's even living in NY part-time now.

[MollyJeanneMusic]

taragel2 said: "I saw Bernadette, Reba, and possibly also Crystal Bernard? (Not entirely sure on that last one, and if I did see her, she was probably somewhat unmemorable, though I liked her a lot in Wings.) Reba was a perfect fitand my favorite. Peters is Broadway royalty but an odd fit for the role. Performed it very beautifully, but her voice is so distinctive and very not country and.. IDK. When I saw Reba, Dolly Parton was there in the row across from us and gave her a standing ovation. We wonderedat the time if she would take the role next, but sounds like she had already passed and was just there as a spectator. If they were to revive it and cast another country star, I think Miranda Lambert would be perfect. She's even living in NY part-time now."

I'd love to see Miranda sing this score!  Back when Waitress had just premiered on Broadway, I thought she and her side band the Pistol Annies would make great stunt casts for the three leading ladies - they had the perfect harmonies and Southern spunk for the roles.

My parents saw the show with Reba for their anniversary, before I was born, and they thought she was absolutely perfect, which seems to be a common opinion.  I don't condone filming bootlegs for obvious reasons, but if there was one performance I'd love to see that I never had an opportunity to, as a country music AND Broadway fan, that would be near the top of my list, if not the actual top.

[Fagnes Gooch]

MollyJeanneMusic said: "taragel2 said: "I saw Bernadette, Reba, and possibly also Crystal Bernard? (Not entirely sure on that last one, and if I did see her, she was probably somewhat unmemorable, though I liked her a lot in Wings.) Reba was a perfect fitand my favorite. Peters is Broadway royalty but an odd fit for the role. Performed it very beautifully, but her voice is so distinctive and very not country and.. IDK. When I saw Reba, Dolly Parton was there in the row across from us and gave her a standing ovation. We wonderedat the time if she would take the role next, but sounds like she had already passed and was just there as a spectator. If they were to revive it and cast another country star, I think Miranda Lambert would be perfect. She's even living in NY part-time now."

I'd love to see Miranda sing this score! Back when Waitress had just premiered on Broadway, I thought she and her side band the Pistol Annies would make great stunt casts for the three leading ladies - they had the perfect harmonies and Southern spunk for the roles.

My parents saw the show with Reba for their anniversary, before I was born, and they thought she was absolutely perfect, which seems to be a common opinion. I don't condone filming bootlegs for obvious reasons, but if there was one performance I'd love to see that I never had an opportunity to, as a country music AND Broadway fan, that would be near the top of my list, if not the actual top."


 

Shhhhh. YouTube.

[David10086]

Now I wish I saw both Peters and Reba, too. I thoroughly enjoyed Ladd, thought she was fantastic in the role ( but I’ve since rad the box office dropped considerably with her) and I wish she would do more Broadway musicals.

I’m a fan of Peters, but can’t imagine her doing a country girl. From what I’m reading here it sounds like she most certainly can!

I never could figure out casting Bernard. As for Lucci, the only one I know who saw her and loved her was Regis Philbin. He bragged about her performance on his show every chance he had.

As for Reba, I know there were discussions here about her joining “Dolly” - not sure if it was wishful thinking back then, or based on good rumors from the theater.

[qolbinau]

There is an EP recording of Reba that I’m sure many have heard. There is something authentic about the accent and style of singing.

[sassylash3s]

Demitri2 said: "My all-time favorite production of this show played Los Angeles and San Francisco back in 1977. Gower Champion did a truly magnificentjob directing and the star was Debbie Reynolds who at the time was not one of my favorites. She couldn't have acted or sung the role any better. I was fortunate to see her in WOMAN OF THE YEAR years later and once again was impressed by her personal take on the role. I asked a friend why her ANNIE GET YOUR GUN never traveled to Broadway as was planned initiallysince it got great revues on the West coast. He said Reynoldshad played Broadway in her one-woman show titled DEBBIE just a year earlier and it tanked big time opening and closing in the month of September 1776. Whether true or not, he felt she was afraid to test the waters on Broadway so soon after her personal failure. A pity because the audience loved her as Annie.

"

Poor Debbie.  It can't have been easy trying to open a show in the middle of the revolution.

[yankeefan7]

I saw it with Bernadette Peters and Tom Wopat. It was the first time I ever had tickets in the front row for a show. At one point of the show, Bernadette looked straight at me and smiled. It is one of my all time favorite moments on Broadway - lol. Bernadette was fantastic and Tom Wopat was very good and a surprise to me. I just knew him from "Dukes Of Hazzard" at that time and had no idea how well he could sing.

[Ftworthguy]

AGYG is NOT one of my favorite shows, but due to odd circumstances I saw that revival four times.  

With Bernadette, Cheryl Ladd and Reba.   I also saw the opening night of the tour in Dallas with Marilu Henner.  

Bernadette played it too much like a hick for my liking.  

I LOVED Cheryl -- I thought she commanded the stage and you're right, Patrick Cassidy was delightful.   

Reba was ABSOLUTELY perfect and that is when the 'replacement Tony' was seriously considered.   That performance is a great argument for that Tony. 

Marilu Henner was HORRIBLE -- I absolutely hated her in the role.   She lacked charisma and didn't sing it well.  

 

[CATSNYrevival]

Why didn’t Reba ever headline The Unsinkable Molly Brown on Broadway? Wasn’t that being talked about for a few years after she did Annie Get Your Gun?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

How was Susan Lucci?  (covering my ears)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgr0d4WpCEE  Cheryl Ladd -2000.

[David10086]

Thanks for posting this. Ladd was really good in the role. Too bad she never returned to Broadway.

[henrikegerman]

I remember loving it and being surprised how much I did. The look and lighting were wonderful.  Bernadette was very enjoyable, Tom Wopat's vocals were wonderful. 
I also regret not going back to see it with Reba; every clip I've seen of her is magical.

I believe there is a video of the show with Reba.  Anyone know how to find it.

[theatreguy12]

I have the OBCR and I really like Bernadette.   Some have said she overplays the twang, especially in light of the fact that Annie Oakley was from Ohio, so it just doesn't fit anyway.

But how did Reba play it then?   Since there would have been a twang there too, and it's natural for her.   

I would think of all of them Reba would be the best.  She's got the voice, the look and the attitude for the part.  But if a twang doesn't work for the other actresses because AO was from Ohio, how did it work with Reba? 

[David10086]

theatreguy12 said: "I have the OBCR and I really like Bernadette. Some have said she overplays the twang, especially in light of the fact that Annie Oakley was from Ohio, so it just doesn't fit anyway.

But how did Reba play it then? Sincethere would have been a twang there too, andit's natural for her.

I would think of all of them Reba would be the best. She's got the voice, the look and the attitude for the part. But if a twang doesn't work for the other actresses because AO was from Ohio, how did it work with Reba?"

From what I’ve read, her accent sounded authentic. Even the reviews mentioned that. 

 

[Owen22]

Reba was amazingly authentic where Bernadette was...well, Bernadette.

Had lost of problems with the new, mostly unnecessary book I remember...