'ANNIE GET YOUR GUN' Opens At Arizona Broadway Theater 1/9

Arizona Broadway Theatre continues its fourth season with the Irving Berlin classic Annie Get Your Gun, which opens on January 9 and continues through February 15, 2009. ABT’s Executive Producer and co-founder, Kiel Klaphake, makes his ABT stage debut playing the role of Frank Butler, Annie Oakley’s main competition and love interest. Klaphake will be joined on stage by Jillian Nyhan Zygo in the title role of Annie Oakley.

Klaphake performs for the first time on the stage that he helped to create, having previously been the musical conductor for Brigadoon and the stage director of Cabaret. For two years, Kiel performed the role of Raoul in the original Hal Prince production of The Phantom of the Opera in Hamburg, Germany. Stateside credits include Bill in Kiss Me Kate, Conrad in Bye Bye Birdie, Danny in Grease, Tony in West Side Story, and Ravenal in Show Boat. Originally from Missoula, Montana, Kiel earned his Bachelor of Music degree from The University of Montana and his Master of Music degree from The New England Conservatory of Music. Kiel has performed leading roles with various regional opera companies in Gianni Schicchi, Don Pasquale, I Pagliacci, La Bohème, Die Zauberflöte, Die Fledermaus and Le Nozze di Figaro, as well as principal roles in The Merry Widow, The Beggar Student, The Sorcerer, The Gondoliers, The Yeomen of the Guard, and Der Graf von Luxembourg.

Zygo makes her ABT debut as Annie Oakley. Credits include Ado Annie in the national tour of the Broadway revival, Oklahoma!, and the national tours of Beehive the 60’s Musical and I Love a Piano (an Irving Berlin review). Valley audiences have seen her as Fanny Brice (ariZoni Award Winner) in Funny Girl, Nancy in Oliver, and Darlene in Honky Tonk Angels at Broadway Palm.

Annie Get You Gun is a rootin’-tootin’ spectacular musical comedy. A Wild West show-within-a-show that frames the ageless love story of sharpshooters Annie Oakley and Frank Butler. Although showbiz and romance prove to be a bit of a rough ride, this high-hearted celebration of independence and pride hits the target every time as a testament to female ingenuity. The dazzling musical score, considered by many to be Irving Berlin’s best, includes the show-stopping entertainment anthem, There’s No Business Like Show Business, along with many additional gems.

ABT, Arizona’s one-of-a-kind, award-winning, state-of-the-art professional dinner theatre showcases locally and nationally acclaimed artists both onstage and behind the scenes. Following Annie Get Your Gun, ABT will be producing: Guys & Dolls (February 27 – April 5), Miss Saigon (April 17 – May 24), Bye Bye Birdie (June 5 – July 19), Forever Plaid and The Taffetas (August 7 – September 20).

ABT’s luxurious auditorium comfortably accommodates 400 guests with unobstructed views from every seat. The VIP balcony seats an additional 44 with tables for two and four. The theatre offers a number of performances year-round with a variety of prices and times to fit every lifestyle. Gracious wait staff serve gourmet selections 90 minutes prior to each show. The theatre can facilitate luncheons, meetings, parties, and special events in its private banquet room, expansive lobby or auditorium. Groups can purchase an entire performance as exclusive entertainment. Discounts are extended to groups of 10, 20 or more.

ABT is conveniently located south of W. Bell Road off the Loop 101, east of the Peoria Sports Complex. Parking is free. For tickets and additional information about gift certificates, special events packages, information about the Academy for Young Performers program, or to become an ABT subscriber or to find out how ABT can customize a special event with catering services, call the Box Office at 623.776.8400 or visit www.azbroadwaytheatre.com.