Director, actors pleased with run of ‘Annie Get Your Gun’
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
After nearly four months of auditions and rehearsal, Westosha Central High School’s musical presentation of “Annie Get Your Gun” came off without a hitch.
The musical, which was performed on three nights last week, had approximately 800 people in attendance.
Westosha Central Drama Director Michael Klimzak said it would not have been possible without the help of multiple directors and nearly 100 students along with their parents.
“There are so many people that helped – countless,” Klimzak said.
Other faculty members helping in the production were musical director Rob Clark, choreographer Kyle Kimberly Baker, band director Adam Scheele and pianist Jennifer Scheele.
Also, Casey Racas assisted with construction of the sets and Rebecca Sym guided the set art while Karen Dietz assisted with the wardrobe.
The production, which was derived from an original book by Herbert and Dorothy Fields, chronicled sharpshooter Annie Oakley and her romantic interest Frank Butler’s adventures in a traveling Old West show.
Playing the role of Annie Oakley was senior Hannah Kunce, who said it was a challenge to perfect Oakley’s southern accent.
“The accent, it was terrible, it was a tough to work on,” Kunce said.
However, Kunce said the performance was an adrenaline rush, noting that performing on stage is her favorite activity
“I really wish we had more time to perform, I love it so much, it is seriously my favorite thing to do,” Kunce said.
The performance also gave Kunce an opportunity to collaborate with Joseph Cambroni, who played Butler.
Both have performed together since the sixth grade, so the partnership was a cinch.
“And to fall in love on stage was a challenge, I love Hannah, but not like that,” Cambroni said.
Additionally, playing a role opposite to his personality was a difficult task.
“I am not Frank Butler and I will never be Frank Butler, so it was a challenge,” he said.
However, the senior noted the performance carried a special meaning for him, giving him an opportunity to come out on top.
“Every year, I got into bigger and bigger roles,” he said. “It just feels good that I ended on a high note.”
The musical also was special for Klimzak, who witnessed the development of Cambroni, Kunce and Alex Otero, who played Charlie Davenport.
“This musical was very special because this is my senior year, I have seen these students pass from freshman year through their senior year,” Klimzak said. “It was great to see how they have grown.”
While the seniors performed their final fall act, there is hope for a solid future, noted by more than 70 ensemble members.
“I thought the ensemble did a great job, and had a lot of freshman,” Kunce said. “A lot of people we did not know, but it turned out well.”
While the musical marks the final fall performance by Cambroni, he said it was worth it.
“It was rewarding. You are tired from the previous night, but you got to come back and do it all over again,” he said.