Music Review: Annie Get Your Gun: Bernadette Peters

Annie Get Your Gun featuring Bernadette Peters, 1999.

This is Bernadette Peters featured in the title role of a Broadway revival of this popular musical.  Tom Wopat portrays Frank.  I must admit, listening to this C.D. there was some sparkle to it—and most of that sparkle centered around these two.  Peters does a terrific job with “You Can’t get a Man with a Gun”.  The reprise, after her heart has been broken just before the end of the first act is even better.  “I Got Lost in His Arms” also highlights the first act. 

The second act is all garbled and misunderstanding.  However when they get to “Anything You Can do I Can do Better” the stage sparkles.  Wopat and Peter do an excellent job, and the characters finally overcome their pride enough to get together.  Pride keeps us from much happiness, and it is good Annie and Frank finally found their happiness.

I enjoyed this music.  As I noted, Peters and Wopat carry the show.  When others were singing, I didn’t care for it very much, but these two make a very good team.

Of course another highlight of the second act is Peters singing, “I Got the Sun in the Morning (and the Moon at Night).”  This is a beautiful song, and helps keep focus on your blessings:

 

Got no diamond, got no pearl,
Still I think I'm a lucky girl.
I've got the sun in the morning
And the moon at night.
Got no mansion, got no yacht,
Still I'm happy with what I got.
I've got the sun in the morning
And the moon at night

Sunshine gives me a lovely day,
Moonlight gives me the Milky Way.
Got no checkbooks, got no banks,
Still, I'd like to express my thanks.
I've got the sun in the morning
And the moon at night.
And with the sun in the morning
And the moon in the evening
I'm alright.

Got no butler, got no maid.
Still I think I've been overpaid,
I've got the sun in the morning
And the moon at night.
Got no silver, got no gold,
What you've got can't be bought or sold.
I've got the sun in the morning
And the moon at night.

Sunshine gives me a lovely day,
Moonlight gives me the Milky Way.
Got no heirlooms for my kin,
Made no will but when I cash in
I'll leave the sun in the morning
And the moon at night.
And with the sun in the morning
And the moon in the evening
I'm alright.

And with the sun in the morning
And the moon in the evening
I'm alright!