OHS drama teacher Rhonda West is teaching the 48 students participating in this year's musical production that there is no business like show business.
The group will be performing Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun. The musical is a fictionalized biography of Annie Oakley, an American woman who gained fame throughout the world in the 1880s and beyond for her sharpshooting talents. She toured the world with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, a circus-like vaudeville event that presented a romanticized version of the American Old West to spectators.
“Our main actress Hannah Fisher is a brilliant actress that really does well with characters' positions and roles,” said West.
“This play was literally chosen around her because she does such an amazing job with characters.”
West expects the number of students involved in the musical to be between 50 and 55, as her backstage crew keeps growing.
“Opening night is on Nov. 25 so we are coming up very quickly,” said West.
“The students are starting to get excited for opening night, now that we are getting into costumes, scenery and lines.”
She believes that this musical will be one of the best shows the school has ever done.
“I am very excited. This is a lot of input by people that are building, sewing or acting,” said West.
“I think that the input this year is greater than ever.”
Of the 48-and-counting students, many have been involved in previous productions in past years.
“We also have a lot of new Grade 9 students this year that came on board. They are doing great,” said West.
For five Grade 12 students, this will be the last musical they will participate in before graduating.
The show performances will be at the TransCanada Theatre on Nov. 25, 26, 27 and Dec. 2, 3, and 4. Tickets are on sale at the OHS office or by phone at 403-556-3391.
