Excellent Performances Make Up For Lack Of Spark

Sat., July 12, 1997

By Jim Kershner jimkershner@comcast.net

“Annie Get Your Gun,” Thursday, July 10, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre

“Annie Get Your Gun,” the premiere show of the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre’s 30th season, shows off most of the strengths that have allowed this professional summer-stock theater to prosper for three decades.

The acting talent is strong not only at the top, but all the way through the supporting roles. The music is exceptionally well-done, with a richness and depth that comes only from an full (18-piece) orchestra. And the choice of show reflects the theater’s long commitment to the Golden Age of Broadway.

This formula always adds up to an enjoyable evening, even if a particular production lacks a bit of spark. And, frankly, in this “Annie,” the gunpowder sometimes seems a bit damp.

All of the components are in place. Judy Ann Moulton is earthy, spunky and full of Merman-esque energy as Annie Oakley. Mark Cotter is possessed of an exceptional singing voice as Frank Butler. The dancing, choreographed by Lorna Hamilton, is enjoyable and watchable. Bobbi Kotula, as the comic villainess Dolly, is brilliant.

Yet, somehow, there’s no spark in “Annie’s” flintlock. That theatrical property known as magic or chemistry seems to elude this production. I wish director Stan Foote would work a little harder on building a little momentum into his musical numbers. There are many enjoyable tunes, but not one big showstopper, nothing that made the audience stomp and whistle and demand more. And let me tell you, if you can’t turn “There’s No Show Business Like Show Business” into a showstopper, then you’re not trying hard enough.

Still, I loved Moulton’s portrayal of Annie. She’s a backwoods hick who can’t even read, but Moulton makes her winning and completely charming. Her singing style comes directly from the Ethel Merman tradition, a tradition that does not demand a strict adherence to pitch but still squeezes every bit of personality into a song.

No wonder Frank Butler falls in love with her. The numbers that Cotter and Moulton do together are the best, especially “They Say It’s Wonderful,” and “Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better).” Cotter’s singing voice is pure, expressive, and ideally suited to such songs as “The Girl That I Marry.”

The supporting cast is consistently excellent, especially Kotula as Dolly, Alex Bernhardt as Charlie and Todd Hermanson as a wonderfully vain and clueless Buffalo Bill. Andy Start, as a waiter, turns a wordless scene-changing interlude into a beautiful bit of silent comedy, finally resorting to drinking the champagne off his tray.

The set design (no credit is given) won’t knock your socks off, but as usual it is ingenious given the limitations of the Schuler Auditorium stage. The Buffalo Bill Wild West Show tent (a painted backdrop) was especially nice.

“Annie Get Your Gun” continues through July 19. Call (800) 4-CDA-TIX.

, DataTimes

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