Leo O. Smith as Buffalo Bill, Shannon Willis Scruggs as Annie, and Scott Stepp as Frank Butler. Photo by Pam Johnson “Ladies, gentleman, and children of all ages. I am Colonel Buffalo Bill Cody, the owner and founder of the most famous Wild West Show on earth. You are now going to see the tempestuous and romantic story of Annie Oakley and Frank Butler, featuring my celebrated troupe of western actors and my fabulous Cowboy Band – and all of it exactly as I’ve presented it over the years, right here under my big top!”

…and thus begins Town’s 2010

production of Annie Get Your Gun.

We’ve got it all – the lure of the Wild West, guns, romance, and some of the most popular tunes to flow from the pen of Irving Berlin. Shannon Willis Scruggs ( Always Patsy Cline) and Scott Stepp ( The Odd Couple) will face off as

Annie and Frank. Lee O. Smith ( Beauty

and the Beast ) and Bobby Bullock (South Pacific) narrate and work “behind the scenes” as Colonel Buffalo Bill and Charlie Davenport. Will Goins Moreau ( West Side Story) and Jane W. Brutto (1983 production of Annie) add humor as Chief Sitting Bull and Dolly Tate. Young love fills the stage too with

Kathleen Jackson ( The Buddy Holly

Story) and Garrett Campbell ( Cats) as Winnie Tate and Tommy Keeler.

This production, staged as a show–within– a–show, is sure to please theatre goers of all ages. Even those who may have seen the show before will want to view this updated production — complete with revised book by Peter Stone and new orchestrations.

Annie Get Your Gun will hit bulls’ eye, ring the bells, and offer one of the most delightful evenings in theatre you can imagine. But don’t just imagine, come see why “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”

Performances will be May 7–29, Wednesday– Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday matinees May 16 and May 23 at 3 pm. Ticket prices are adults $18, seniors 65+/active military/college $15, youth (under 18) $12.

For tickets or information, go to Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter Street, Columbia, call the box office at 799- 2510, or visit www.towntheatre.com.