The PLAY'S The thing
Entertainment Report
by Ruth Lepper

"Annie Get Your Gun" is a rip-roaring production going on down at the Welk Resort Musical Theater. Starring Joy Yandell as the effervescent Annie Oakley, the upbeat musical is sure to become an all-time favorite.

Yandell grew up in North County and is well remembered for her many appearances on local stages, as well as performing in San Diego's acclaimed "Beehive" at The Theatre in Old Town. She is joined in the Welk production by Andrew Husmann as Frank Butler, Von Shauer as Colonel Buffalo Bill and as Jeffrey Arnold Wolf as Chief Sitting Bull.

The story centers on the gun-shooting rivalry between Annie and Frank from a new book by Peter Stone based on the fictional story by Dorothy and Herbert Fields. Music by Irving Berlin features "There's No Business Like Show Business," "I Got the Sun in the Morning," "Doin' What Comes

Natur'lly" and "You Can't Get a Man With a Gun," among others.

Direction and choreography is by Jon Engstrom, with musical direction by Justin Gray.

The theater is located at 8850 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido. Call the box office at (760) 749-3449 for reservations and more information.

"Flaming Idiots," a hilarious comedy by Tom Rooney and directed by David Kievit, opens Nov. 14 and runs through Dec. 7 at Lamplighters Community Theatre.

When two buddies open a restaurant, they are desperate to make it a success. Anything goes, is an understatement.

The theater is located at 8053 University Ave. in La Mesa. Tickets are $12 and $14, with performance at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays at Sunday matinees at 2. There will be one Thursday evening performance on Nov. 20. Call the box office at (619) 464-4598 for more information.

Definitely on the "Don't Miss List," the Smothers Brothers will be at Poway Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 21.

Garrison Keillor brings his "Prairie Home Companion" to San Diego Civic Theatre on Nov. 22 with performances at 3 and 8 p.m.

Ruth Lepper is a member of San Diego Theatre Critics Circle and the National Theatre League.