50 years later, Boardman reprises school’s first musical

By JORDYN GRZELEWSKI

jgrzelewski@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

Nick Opritza, supervisor of the Boardman Performing Arts Center, doesn’t do repeat performances.

This year, however, he made an exception for a production that holds a special place in Boardman’s performing arts legacy.

In 1965, Boardman High School students starred in the school’s first musical production: “Annie Get Your Gun.”

This weekend, students again are performing the musical.

“When I heard it was the 50th anniversary of doing a musical at Boardman’s stage, I said, ‘We have to do this,’” said Opritza, who also is directing the show. “This is the time to honor the people who were in it.”

As part of the tribute, the original cast is invited to attend tonight’s performance, and at the end of the show they will be invited onstage for a rendition of “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”

“Annie Get Your Gun” is a fictionalized version of the life of Annie Oakley. The musical, by Irving Berlin, tells the story of Oakley’s romance with fellow sharpshooter Frank Butler.

The 1965 Boardman High School production starred Marcia Axtmann as Annie and Dale Kushma as Frank. The 2015 performance stars senior Emily Auth and sophomore Nathaniel Ams.

This past week, Kushma, 67, of Boardman, stopped by a rehearsal and was amazed by what he saw.

“Boy does this bring back memories,” he said. “There’s so much talent here.”

Kushma recalled some of his memories from the original production. He remembers his wife — before they were married — coming to the show, which took place at Center Middle School.

“When we did it, we didn’t have microphones. We had to yell out to the audience,” he said. He also recalled that the orchestra wasn’t onstage, unlike today’s production.

Kushma still keeps in touch with many of his classmates, including some members of the “Annie Get Your Gun” cast, and said he’s excited for tonight’s reunion.

Opritza described this weekend’s performances as a collaborative effort. For example, about 40 Boardman students are performing the music, and the art department made parts of the set. Altogether, about 100 Boardman students are involved in the production, Opritza said.

Today’s show is at 7 p.m. at the performing arts center in the high school, and the last show is at 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are still available.