Annie Get Your Gun

Reviewed by Paula Citron
August 5th, 2011

Annie Get Your Gun
Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin, book by Herbert and Dorothy Fields
Conducted by Kristen Blodgette
Starring Deborah Voigt, Rod Gilfry, Jake Gardner, Drew Taylor, Klea Blackhurst, Peter Macklin and Nick Santa Maria
Jul. 16 to Aug. 21, 2011
Voigt Lessons
Written by Terrence McNally, musical direction by Kevin Stites
Starring Deborah Voigt
Jul. 29, Aug. 7 and 14, 2011
Both directed by Francesca Zambello
Alice Busch Opera Theatre/Thaw Pavillion

American dramatic soprano Deborah Voigt, one of the greatest Wagnerians of her generation, is full of surprises at Glimmerglass.

First, she is starring as Annie Oakley in Irving Berlin’s 1946 megahit musical Annie Get Your Gun. Second, she is performing her one-woman, warts and all, autobiographical show Voigt Lessons.

Voigt is adorable as Annie, although she has brought her voice down to her middle passage so those famous high notes are missing. Annie is a lot of fun.

Voigt Lessons also presents the soprano at her folksy best. Working with famous playwright Terrence McNally, director Francesca Zambello, and pianist Kevin Stites, Voigt has created an intimate show that is both very poignant and very funny.

The ups and downs chronicle includes her failed marriage, and her battles with weight and alcoholism. On route, she sings 18 songs, from pop music to opera, that illustrate her life in music. The show is an absolute gem.

Glimmerglass Festival continues in Cooperstown, New York until Aug. 23.