When Buffolo Bill’s Wild West Show comes into town, Annie Oakley, the famed sharpshooter, quickly falls in love with the show’s star, Frank Butler. After winning a shooting match against Frank Butler, Annie joins the show so she can try and marry Frank. Unfortunately for Annie, Frank wants a more feminine woman and not a tomboy, gun-toting dame. Further, the fact that she can shoot better than Frank makes her his biggest competition. Frank decides to leave his love and join up with the show’s biggest rival, Pawnee Bill. In the end, Annie has to do what it takes to win Frank back and merge the two Wild West Shows.

This production stars Jeanne Torres as Annie Oakley and Ryan Cummings as Frank Butler along with an all-star cast of Empire High School Drama Students performing famous songs by composer Irving Berlin like “There’s No Business Like Show Business”, “They Say It’s Wonderful”, “You Can’t Get a Man With a Gun”, and “Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)”.

The YOUNGERS are performing a pantomime called “The Tennis Match”.

The MIDDLERS are staging an original story based on class improvisation, entitled “The Scarf”.

The Special Election Debate

Thursday, April 5 – 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Under the direction of government teacher, Arlo Ogden, Vail Academy and High School’s Class of 2012 has invited the four Republican candidates for the District 8 Special Election to a debate in the beautiful Vail Theatre of the Arts.

The debate is being organized and moderated by students in Mr. Ogden’s government class, and all four Republican primary candidates, Frank Antenori, Jessy Kelly, Martha McSally, and Dave Sitton will take part in it. These candidates will compete in the Republican primary on April 17. The primary will determine which Republican candidate will run against the uncontested Democrat, Ron Barber, in the Special Election which will be held on June 12. The winner of the June 12 Special Election will fill the U.S. House of Representative’s seat that was vacated by Gabrielle Giffords in January so she can focus on her recovery from a gunshot wound which she suffered on January 8, 2012. The winner of the Special Election will complete the remainder of Giffords’ term which expires in January of 2013.

Special guest commentator, Jon Justice, host of 104.1 The Truth, will say a few words to open the debate. Then students will ask questions of the candidates. And after that, randomly drawn audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions. Attendees who wish to ask questions of the candidates should submit a ticket in the lobby prior to the start of the debate. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.