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Take a shot at seeing 'Annie Get Your Gun'

HOTT Productions is presenting "Annie Get Your Gun," Irving Berlin's musical spectacle that celebrates legendary sure-shot Annie Oakley, through this weekend at Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg.

The show features timeless hits such as "Anything You Can Do," "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun," and "There's No Business Like Show Business."

The musical is a fictional version of the story of Annie Oakley, America's greatest sharpshooter, and her romantic, tempestuous relationship with Frank Butler.

From her humble beginnings in backwoods Ohio, Annie becomes America's first female superstar. When she outshoots Frank Butler, the "Cham-peen Shot of the World," she wins a job with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show - and falls in love at the same time.

But can a man's ego survive being bested by a woman? After Frank quits and tours with a rival show, one final competition will bring the two together again - for better or worse.

"Annie Get Your Gun" features Amy Rodriquez of Schaumburg as Annie Oakley; Brad Kutulas of Algonquin as Frank Butler; Jack Keehan of Elgin as Colonel Buffalo Bill Cody; Ken Slack of Gilberts as Charlie Davenport; Michelle Bayer of Palatine as Dolly Tate; Grace Biernacki of Bloomingdale and Kelly Zea of Rolling Meadows as Winnie Tate; Andrew Luzwick of Schaumburg as Tommy Keeler; and Gene Luzwick of Wheeling as Pawnee Bill.

"Doin' What Comes Naturally" on stage are Annie's younger siblings, portrayed by Ella Biernacki, Alexis Capello, Sam Wickey, Vincent Luzwick, Owen Adamitis, Bryce Grogan and Rachel Wickey.

"The original musical was a product of its time, when women restrained their ambitions to appease their husbands," said producer Chris Seminaro.

The show blends full-scale spectacle with old-time vaudeville, with a cast of more than 50 actors and hit songs. Show times are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 23-24. Tickets are $20, $18 for ages 62 and older and 17 and younger. For reserved seating or information, call (847) 985-0139.

Gene Luzwick as Pawnee Bill shakes hands with Jack Keehan as Colonel William F. Cody, Buffalo Bill. Courtesy of HOTT Productions
Wild West performers, from left, Kelly Zea, Jackie Podgorny, Elaine Hohs and Jamie Podgorny. Courtesy of HOTT Productions
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