The utilization of a toy gun in the school musical “Annie Get Your Gun” has brought up a lot of controversy recently over the gun aspect of the show.
The story “Annie Get Your Gun” is based off the life of Annie Oakley, who is the best shooter in the Wild West, and her love for her co-partner, Frank Butler. The story shows that women can do anything that a man can, and can even do it better.
The catch is that Annie is a gun girl, and Frank Butler is a high class shooting man. While there are guns and a slight bit of racism, the show is meant to express the Wild West as it was in the 1800s.
“[Just] as any art, it’s there to stir up discussion and get us connected to what matters to us,” said San Carlos Children’s Theater director Eron Block.
The guns are used not as weapons, but as a sport. Oakley shoots things out of the air in her show; it is never used it as a weapon.
“Bringing guns into a school production may turn heads, but I think if you’re looking at the historical point of view of the show, then the guns are necessary,” said freshman Blake DuBois.
San Mateo High School produced the show “Avenue Q” last year, which is an extremely edgy show that contains racism and swear words, while Sequoia High School did “Cabaret” last year, with provocative dancing and swearing.
Even though this show has guns, there are other shows that could be chosen for production that are worse.
Last year’s show, “Guys and Dolls,” depicted drugs and gambling, yet it was adored by the audience members who went to see it.
The theater is changing these days. Schools try to pick shows with controversy and edge that bring audience members in, not to corrupt students.
“Annie Get Your Gun” is a classic and has been produced on numerous stages. San Carlos Children’s Theater did it just last summer and it was known as “the best show SCCT has done.”
This classic musical has much more to offer than just guns. The beautiful songs and hilarious jokes make the production glow onstage and puts audience members right in the middle of the Wild West as it really was.
