THEATER : ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ Cast Creates Happy Sound

The Yorba Linda Civic Light Opera’s production of “Annie Get Your Gun” has some good things going for it--principally the wonderful songs of Irving Berlin. Eminently hummable and spiced with genteel wit, they undoubtedly go home in the hearts and on the lips of every listener. And the Yorba Linda cast, along with musical director Joel Pressman, create a solid, happy sound throughout.

John LaLonde, as Frank Butler, does musical justice with his rich, expressive voice to such tunes as “The Girl That I Marry” and “They Say It’s Wonderful.” And Linda Lebel, as Annie Oakley, pounds out her numbers with gusto. “You Can’t Get a Man With a Gun” is a great song, and she sings it so’s you listen.

It’s a shame that the orchestration is recorded, though. For one thing, many of the numbers felt rushed and breathless as a result, and beyond that, good music deserves live accompaniment. This show in particular, being so much about show business (as in, “There’s No Business Like . . .”), suffers from canned music. Even a small ensemble would enhance the traveling-show atmosphere around which this story revolves.

The story is still a good one. Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show pulls into town with a challenge to all comers to outshoot glamorous star rifleman Frank Butler. Who should best him but a dusty, illiterate little backwoods firecracker named Annie Oakley? Opposites attract, and Annie does all she can to become the soft, pink girl of Frank’s dreams. But how can the slick ladies’ man and the no-nonsense, home-grown Annie find happiness together when he wants to be the world’s greatest sharpshooter, and she is?

LaLonde and Lebel look the parts: He really is drop-jaw handsome, and she’s a solid, honest piece of womanhood. There’s even a hope of genuine sparks between them when they sing “Anything You Can Do,” an anthem to the battle of the sexes.

Director Gary Gordon seems to want laughs. He would have achieved many more if he had focused on Annie and Frank’s relationship, with all its passion and surprises, rather than playing everything as a setup and a punch line.

Within that tone, however, Jim Driskill as Chief Sitting Bull is a particular hit with the audience, and Billy Beadle as show-biz huckster Charlie Davenport is picture perfect. Rob Hulings, who also choreographed, brings welcome panache to his cameo as a manly Indian brave. But it’s the little Oakleys who really charm. Jared Pfeifer, Allison Harned, Emily Benson, and Marlena Rice are delightful. The rest of the cast could take a note from them: Play a little more, perform a little less.

The Yorba Linda Civic Light Opera’s production of “Annie Get Your Gun” continues through Sunday at the Yorba Linda Forum, 4175 Fairmont Blvd., Yorba Linda. Curtain: Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets: $8 to $10. Information: (714) 779-8591.