Since he stepped onto the Broadway stage as “Brother Boxer” in the 1983 musical Amen Corner, Chuck Cooper has delighted audiences and tickled their eardrums with his rich baritone in a variety of dramas, musicals, and comedies. Now, he can add a starring role in New York City Center’s concert performance of the Irving Berlin’s classic Annie Get Your Gun to his resumé. Cooper will join Smash star Megan Hilty, as well as Andy Karl, Judy Kaye, Ron Raines, and Brad Oscar in performances on October 27-28.
The musical is based on the book by Herbert and Dorothy Fields about Annie Oakley a sharpshooting, poor, country girl and star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and her love affair with expert rifleman Frank Butler. Berlin wrote the music and lyrics for the show, which includes the classic tunes “You Can’t Get a Man With a Gun,” “I Got Lost in His Arms,” “Anything You Can Do,” and the show’s climatic “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”
Cooper will play “Pawnee Bill,” owner of the Far East Show and Buffalo Bill’s former partner and current rival. Jack Dabdoud originated the role in the 1966 Broadway production, which starred Ethel Merman as “Annie.”
Since his Broadway debut, Cooper has appeared as an understudy in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, Passion, and Getting Away with Murder. In 1997, he won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as the pimp “Memphis” in The Life, Cy Coleman’s musical about prostitution in Times Square. He also took over the role of “Billy Flynn” in the 2001 Broadway revival of Chicago. He recently wrapped up a starring role in the musical “Amazing Grace.”
The concerts will be directed by Tony Award winner John Rando, and will feature The Encores! Orchestra led by Encores! music director Rob Berman.
The October 27 concert begins with a 5:30 PM cocktail reception, followed by the 6:30 PM performance. Tickets for both performances can be purchased here.
