Just for Fun

If anything can give a musical production wings, it is an incredibly talented, charismatic lead. That would be Catherine Olson as Annie Oakley. Olson thoroughly enjoys the role, and takes the audience with her. That is not to leave the rest of the cast, the director, choreographer and crew on the curb in this crisp version of “Annie Get Your Gun,” at The Center for the Performing Arts at Rhinebeckthis past weekend. Olson is charming as a dirty tomboy with no larnin’ who is transformed into a “lady” and falls in love with nemesis Frank Butler, played by Dean Temple. And when Olson belts out “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” she could be Ethel Merman in the 1946 debut. Director Andy Weintraub keeps his actors sharp, and sets for the tiny stage struck just the right balance between defining the scene and being fussy. The orchestra, the lighting and special effects, and there are quite a few of them, went off without a hitch. Somewhat distracting, however, were the few times the orchestra came close to drowning out those with softer singing voices. It should also be said the volunteers who usher and who run the snack bar and box office were exceptionally friendly. For good measure, I brought along one of my teenage daughters to see what a youngster would think of this 66-year-old musical. She was thoroughly impressed with the production that plays to the strengths of the hokey classic. Another reason to go is the rest of the Oakley family. Annie’s siblings, played by youngsters Tessa Fountain, Maya Schubert and Jonah Carlton are no strangers to the stage, and proved to be triple threats with their appealing acting, singing and squabbling. A couple of heads-ups: the audience is warned before the curtain that the play includes “artificial gunfire,” and after the curtain calls, ChiefSitting Bull (Kevin McCarthy) will be asking for wampum for the center. “Annie Get Your Gun” runs at Rhinebeck’s Center for Performing Arts through Feb. 17, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $24 and $26. Call 845-876-3080.