Hamptons Theater Review: “Annie Get Your Gun” Is A Winner At Bay Street

Bay Street Theater Artistic Director Scott Schwartz once again has a big hit for the 2019 Mainstage season. The opening week audience cheered wildly at Bay Street for this summer’s presentation of Annie Get Your Gun. Alexandra Socha’s amazing voice, along with the songs and music of Irving Berlin, makes for a sensational night of musical theater.

Director Sarna Lapine and Choreographer Sarah O’Gleby have used their specific talents masterfully to utilize the Bay Street Theater stage to razzle, dazzle and entertain the audience.

The Lighting Design of Jiyoun Chang along with Scenic Design of Mikiko Suzuki MacAdams highlights the splendid Costume Designs of Valarie Therese Bart.

But, make no mistake about this show, it is propelled into greatness by the performance of Alexandra Socha, whose talent launches this show into that special place of great theater.

Her voice and her interpretation of the classic Irving Berlin songs lifts the show’s songbook to a new place the audience enjoyed and stood to applaud.

Matt Saldivar wows the audience with his confidence and stage presence. He is a very convincing Frank Butler.

However, I want to give out a special mention to the performance of George Abud as Charlie. I personally enjoyed his fantastic energy, movement and overall professionalism. Mr. Abud commanded the stage with a majesty and demanded you pay attention to his every movement, facial expression and projected his lines, in character yet with a force and a pizzazz of classic old-time theater.

There is an amazing array of talent out on the stage throughout the show. The whole cast includes Alexandra Socha as Annie Oakley (Head Over Heels, Red Oaks), Jennifer Sanchez as Dolly Tate (Pretty Woman: The Musical, West Side Story), Jonathan Joss as Sitting Bull (King of the Hill, Parks and Recreation), Matt Saldivar as Frank Butler (Bernhardt/Hamlet, Junk, Honeymoon in Vegas), George Abud as Charlie, Isa Mooney as Jessie, Meaghan McInnes as Nellie, Oge Agulé as Pawnee Bill, Orville Mendoza as Buffalo Bill, Stephen Lee Anderson as Foster Wilson, Will Hantz as Little Jake, Aidan Ziegler- Hansen as Ensemble, Allison Marie Walsh as Ensemble, Davis Macleod Haines as Ensemble, Erica Spyres as Ensemble and Kara Mikula as Ensemble.

There is a good reason the run of this show is being expanded. It is that good of a production! Annie Get Your Gun at Bay Street is a winner. I can assure you a wonderful energized night of singing, dancing, entertaining live musical theater. This show is everything you want to see when you go to see a live musical and perhaps even more.

Annie Get Your Gun can be seen through September 1. Tickets start at $40.

Bay Street is located at 1 Bay Street in Sag Harbor. For more information, call 631-725-9500 or visit www.baystreet.org.