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DEL.ICIO.USAurora Theatre production hits the bull’s eye
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m sick of High School Musical — Nos. 1 and 2.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m tired of the art form, though, so on Wednesday the Badie Tour took in a local production. “Annie Get Your Gun,” the Irving Berling classic, is running through Sept. 9 at the Aurora Theatre in downtown Lawrenceville. I saw part of the 10 a.m. matinee.
The time slot may sound odd, but it’s based on reason and research. An Aurora intern conducted a survey and found that a morning show would hold great appeal to home-school groups, civic and social organizations and senior citizens. More so than the typical 2:30 p.m. matinee.
“They avoid the traffic, and we offer it at a little lower price point,” said Al Stilo, the theatre’s director of sales and marketing. “They can get good seats as well.”
About 150 attended Wednesday’s show. The bulk of the patrons belonged to a Lawrenceville Red Hatters group and the Winder First United Methodist Church. I sat up front on the left side of the stage where the play begins.
Frank Butler, played by Rob Lawhon, steps onto stage, singing a tempered rendition of “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” Soon he’s joined by the entire company, and before you know it you’re traveling the midwest with Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill, Charlie Davenport and Butler.
It’s a familiar story line. Oakley is a hayseed rifle woman who beats Butler — the star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show — in a sharp-shooting contest. She falls in love with Butler, becomes a huge star and steals the show, becoming its headliner. Butler runs off, distraught. They meet up again, though, declare endless love for each other and in the end become a gun-shooting team.
I missed Act II, the part where they meet up again and rekindle their love because I had to leave for a mid-day interview. During intermission, though, I struck up conversation with several patrons. Without prompting, they said this production of the 1946 masterpiece hit all the clay pigeons and the bull’s eye, too. Especially Natasha Drena, who plays Annie.
Connie and Tim Seidel are a Roswell couple who sat next to me during Act 1. She’s a sharpshooter of sorts herself. Years ago Tim, her husband of 34 years, bought her a handgun for target practice. The play offered respite from day-to-day life. Tim has Parkinson’s Disease, a progressive disorder of the nervous system.
“This is esoteric, but this helps cope with day-to-day life,” Connie Seidel told me. “I like it a lot. And the female lead is wonderful.”
So were the 1880-themed costumes, thanks to Amanda Sutt, the costumes designer. With a budget of $1,500, ingenuity and creativity, she had cast and ensemble looking like something from the Wild Wild West. She recently graduated from Appalachian State University with a bachelor of arts degree in theatrical design.
When I walked into the foyer, Sutt eyed me up and down. She was checking out my size, trying to figure out whether she had any Western-type get-up that would fit. Before Wednesday’s show, Sutt took measurements of my chest, arms and head (for my cowboy hat).
See, it’s time for me to cash in on my 15 minutes of fame. I’ve been asked to do a “walk-on role” in a performance of “Annie Get Your Gun.” Anthony Rodriquez, the producing artistic director who plays Buffalo Bill, will have me do something — at some point, somewhere, somehow — during the show.
Maybe I’ll say a line. Maybe I’ll sing, ala High School Musical. Preferably, I’ll just stand there, in full Western regalia, cowboy cool.
If you can spare the time on Sept. 1, a Saturday, check out the 2:30 p.m. show. Yours truly will be in it.
Trying to be a cowboy.
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail rbadie@ajc.com.
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By Pam
August 23, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
Wow! Rick, if I didn’t have a planned family gathering out of town for that Saturday, I wouldn’t miss your performance. I actually prefer the matinees.
I saw the premiere of Camelot at the Aurora Theater and I’m so glad it’s only five minutes from my home. It’s a welcome addition to downtown Lawrenceville. They do a great job. I’m planning to see the latest production on September 8.
While you are in downtown Lawrenceville, check out the revitalization efforts. There is also some good eating at Little River Grill, Dominicks, Cosmos and Scoops!
Break a leg!!