COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL April 13, 2016
9A
'Annie Get Your
Gun' leads to
laughs
A Blue Moon Towncar Service
BY SAM WRIGHT
The Cottage Grove Sentinel
T
here’s something about a western
comedy that resonates with small-
town American communities, and Cottage
Theatre’s production of ‘Annie Get Your
Gun’ is no exception. As community mem-
bers poured out of the theater after opening
night on Friday, nothing but praises could
be heard.
‘Annie Get Your Gun’ is a playful comedy
set in the late 19th century. The production’s
executive director, Susan Goes, warns that
the play may have a few politically incor-
rect elements to it due to the original play
being written in 1946 and revised in 1999.
However, there were never any truly cringe-
worthy moments, and the play itself served
as an underdog story of a woman becom-
ing empowered and respected (as much as a
play set in the 19th century could be).
The musical follows the story of a woman
who meets a champion marksman working
in show business and upstages him, enter-
ing her own superstardom as the story takes
the audience on a ride of business rivalries
and love lost and found. The story revolves
around Annie Oakley, who struggles through
the everyday oppressions of a woman, while
the whole play’s attitude is masked by quaint
western charm that may contemporarily be
interpreted as southern charm.
Annie is portrayed by Stephanie Philo
Newman, who brings the rambunctious and
independent character to life. Her fi rst num-
ber, “Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly” per-
fectly introduces the character of Annie and
Wine Tours • Airport • Meetings • Business Trips
Free rides for Veterans to/from VA Hospitals
Give Mike a call 541-942-2661 541-895-3322
info@bluemooneugene.com
2015
e Grove
Cottag
er
Chamb
erce
m
m
o
C
of
s
Busines
e
of th
Year
LOW COST
Local & Metro Weekday Trips
Professional Caring Staf
Your Regional Public Transportation Service
No elgibility requirements.
photo by Matt Emrich
Newman and Fairbairn stole the hearts of the audience with their hilarious
love-hate relationship.
her siblings (portrayed by Katie Fairbairn,
Isaiah Techenor and Maia Willhour). The
song establishes that Annie is uneducated
and poor yet completely rich in personality
and emotion. While she’s not a completely
rounded person in the eyes of the more posh,
she’s a very emotionally relatable character:
hopeful and satisfi ed by the simple joys of
life. Annie’s counterpart in the story, Frank
Butler, is a perfect compliment to our hero-
ine.
Ward Fairbairn contributed heavily to the
attitude of the “Putnam County Spelling
Bee,” and his success remains consistent in
“Annie Get Your Gun.” Fairbairn plays the
leading male character Frank Butler. Frank
is a celebrity of sorts. He’s dashing, con-
fi dent, dreamy yet humble, and a success-
ful marksman traveling the country and
challenging anyone to a shooting match.
Throughout the play, Annie is his undoing
and also his salvation. When Frank and An-
nie fi rst meet, Annie is unaware of Frank’s
true identity while she unknowingly insults
him. The dramatic irony is quintessential of
the silly humor that is ubiquitous through-
out the play. However, the core values of
the play are found within the relationship of
Frank and Annie.
Ethics aside, “Annie Get Your Gun” is
a production that fi nds its success through
the impeccable efforts of the entire crew. A
critic’s eye is constantly seeing through the
actor’s emotions, but it is impossible to see
through Newman, as her emotions directly
refl ect her passion for acting. Annie’s smile
is Newman’s true smile because there is no
lie in the facial expression. She is truly pas-
sionate about every step she takes and every
word she says on stage. There was not a sin-
gle aspect of the production that appeared
to be given less attention than another. The
music, costumes, direction and acting from
all parties shows absolute proof that there
is no such thing as slacking at the Cottage
Theatre.
LORANE COUNTRY NEWS
541-942-0456
BY LIL THOMPSON
For the Sentinel
southlanewheels.org
T
here are so many exciting
events happening in our
district schools! Did you know
there is a Family Resource Cen-
ter, that students attended the
Math Fair at LCC last week, that
the green schools club from
Crow Middle/High School trav-
eled to Salem for a summit, the
Drama Club received a $100
grant for lighting or will present
two plays in May? Events can
be checked out on the district
website, located at http://www.
cal.k12.or.us/
Today, Wednesday, April 13
there are two important meet-
ings: One is for parents in regard
to eighth grade-recognition, a
meeting that begins at 6:30 p.m.
in the Library and is planned to
discuss and share thoughts and
ideas.
At the same time, senior par-
ents will meet in Mrs. Hohn-
stein’s room, and attendees are
asked to have at least one parent
at this meeting that will cover
graduation and following party
plus other information about
your senior.
Lorane Grange
Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo is
this Saturday, April 16 starting
at 5:30 p.m. with bingo begin-
ning at 6:30 p.m. This will be
the last one until September.
Applegate Elementary will
host the Distinguished Service
Awards this year on Thursday,
April 21 at 7 p.m. in the Apple-
gate gym. The Applegate Book
Fair is April 25 through April
29. Check with the offi ce at
541-935-2100 for times open to
the public.
The annual Grandparents
Tea at Applegate Elementary is
scheduled for Thursday, April
28 at 1 pm. Parents, friends, and
grandparents are all welcome
to come enjoy tea and a talent
show. Parents are also collect-
ing items for the classroom
baskets that will be auctioned
at the tea, and those interested
can check with the classroom
for the class theme.
Larry Avery from Triangle
Grange performed at the RAC/
Lorane Grange Talent Show
and has invited anyone who
performed to join in their talent
show this Saturday, April 16 at
7 p.m. There is a $3 gate dona-
tion for the local Triangle Food
Box for those coming to enjoy.
Those interested may call Avery
at 1-541-927-3552.
Birch Avenue Dental
Park W. McClung, DDS • Tammy L. McClung, DDS
Where dentistry is our profession but people are our focus
WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS!
Check out our exclusive Birch Avenue Dental Program that provides
all the rewards of dental insurance without the headaches.
For more information please call
541-942-2471
or visit us at
www.birchavenuedental.com
Cottage Grove Community Hospital
Auxiliary is hosting an
Italian Meal
Extravaganza
Friday, April 22 nd 6-8pm • Doors open at 5pm
Choose pasta with chicken or meatballs, with alfredo or
marinara sauce, Caesar salad, French bread and dessert,
coffee and a glass of wine included.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
1029 N 19 th St – Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove
Sentinel
+
Ticket Prices: $20
Tables of 6-$100
Tables of 8-$140
Tickets available at the front desk of CG Community Hospital or
The Bookmine - 319 E Main St Cottage Grove
Come enjoy a great dinner and a silent auction!
All proceeds will help the Auxiliary purchase medical equipment for the
Cottage Grove Community Hospital & Clinics.