Virginia City Students to perform at Piper's Opera House

VIRGINIA CITY - As a distant relative of the real Buffalo Bill, Michael Nail, 11, couldn't pass up the opportunity to be a part of this year's production of "Annie Get Your Gun" at Piper's Opera House.

"Buffalo Bill is my great-cousin," explained the Virginia City middle schooler. "I kind of always wanted to be like my cousin, but my parents won't let me get a gun."

The play is the second annual production directed by band teacher Matt Breithaupt as part of Virginia City High School's intercession, a month between semesters dedicated to elective classes.

"It's a good story," Breithaupt said. "Kind of a romance set among Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, cowboys and Indians. The burning question is whether the girl is going to get the guy in the end."

Last year, they staged "The Wiz." They put on performances for the middle and elementary schools to attract new performers for the next year. And it worked.

"When I watched it, it looked fun," said Andy Gong, 12, a sixth-grader at Virginia City Middle School. "So I did it this year."

And he wasn't the only one. Last year's production had about 20 students, while this year 35 students are participating.

"There's a lot more kids this year," said Masi Steele, 17, who plays Dolly Tate. "We actually have male leads this year, which is really different."

Ethan Garner, 17, is one of those male leads, playing Frank Butler. A junior at Virginia City High School, he plans to transfer to Reno's Damonte High School next year.

"I figured I'd go out with a bang," he said.

"Annie Get Your Gun" is a fictionalized story based on the life of sharpshooter Annie Oakley and her husband Frank Butler.

The book by brother and sister Herbert and Dorothy Fields was adapted to a musical by Irving Berlin.

Tobi Steele, 15, who plays Charlene Davenport, identified with the play's storyline.

"I live kind of a Western lifestyle anyway," she said. "I thought it would be fun to do this."

Breithaupt said the play gives students the chance to experience something new outside of the traditional school setting.

"When you see the eyes light up in the kids, it reminds me of the benefits," he said. "I'm really happy to be able to offer this."

The play opens Saturday with a second showing Monday.