The casting department that handles " Annie Get Your Gun" sure knows what they are doing. Unless you have been out of the solar system for the last couple of months, then you know that Reba McEntire just finished an earth - shaking run as Annie Oakley. It would seem a huge task to get someone to fill those shoes. The person who took over would need Star power, tremendous acting ability, great vocal ability, and a keen knowledge of the part.
      Enter one actress / singer Crystal Bernard fresh of a run as Annie Oakley in the national tour of "Annie Get Your Gun". Crystal is best remembered for her role as Helen Chappell in the NBC sitcom "Wings" but she also had parts in ABC's Happy Days and the syndicated series "It's A Living" as well as movies, commercials and other TV guest appearances. Crystal, who hails from the Great State of Texas, grew up singing Gospel music with her sisters and father Jerry Bernard and has Country/Pop/Adult Contemporary music albums of her own (for a review of her latest album click HERE).

      Crystal did a great job of making this role her own, using her personal talents to sculpt a new Annie Oakley from America's comedic sweetheart. Her vocals were wonderful and her acting was both believable and loveable. She kept the character down home and personable while adding an additional accent on humor.
      At this time Crystal is performing with Tom Wopat (also an actor / singer best remembered for his role as Luke Duke in "The Dukes of Hazzard"). Tom was out they day we saw the show, so the role of Frank Butler was performed by David Hess who also did a great job. Worth mentioning is that David is the understudy for many of the characters in this show. This man must be extremely talented and have one heck of a memory. Other terrific performances were given by Kerry O'Mally as Dolly Tate, Larry Storch as Sitting Bull, Conrad John Schuck as Buffalo Bill, Peter Marx as Charlie Davenport and many others all backed by a wonderful company of dancers and musicians.
      If you haven't seen this show yet you most definitely should. Even if you had a chance to catch this show before, you should get out and see it again. You will not be disappointed.