The Greater Escambia Council for the Arts is bringing another classic musical to life this weekend as they debuted their production of Irving Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun” Thursday night in front of a packed house.

Phil Johnson, director of the play, as well as the actor portraying the character Buffalo Bill, said the community has turned out in droves to support the theater’s latest offering.

“It was fantastic,” Johnson said of Thursday night’s debut. “We had a packed house and we are sold out for Friday.”

Johnson said, while “Annie Get Your Gun” is not GECA’s first production of a musical, the combination of songs and props used in the production has made it one of the more intricate and time consuming plays his group has performed.

“We’ve used pyrotechnics before, but not to this extent.”

Johnson said the combination of songs and “shots” from the various prop guns used in the production makes for a lively show for audience members.

On Friday, Johnson said tickets for tonight’s 7 p.m. performance were going quickly, but added that a good number of tickets still remained available for Sunday’s 2 p.m. show.

Tickets can be purchased from any GECA member, at the door, if available, or at the GECA website, www.gecarts.com.

Tonight’s showing, as well as tomorrow’s performance of “Annie Get Your Gun,” will take place at the Greater Escambia Center for the Arts, located at 100 S. Trammell Street.

The cast for this weekend’s performance includes: Annie Oakley – Laura Davis Spragg (assistant director); Frank Butler – Timothy Huber; Charlie Davenport – Brandon Coburn; Dolly Tate – Sharon Poulsen (assistant director); Buffalo Bill – Phil Johnson; Chief Sitting Bull – Glenn R. Weber; Accompanist – Shea Johnson; Mac, Skylar Adams, a brave – Nathan Jurjevich; Wilson, Messenger, Indian – Christian Carlson; Pawnee Bill, Indian – Tom Jeter; Minnie – Megan Wilson; Lil’ Jake – Amanda Miller; Little girls 1 and 2; Leah Miller and Mariah Casson; Jessie – Grace Terry; Nellie – Ana MacGhee; Crazy Horse, farmer – Dan Johnson; Frank’s Girl, Mrs. Adams, Indian – Anna Donald; Frank’s Girl, Indian – Anna Grace Glaize; Frank’s Girl – Kia Zundel; Frank’s Girl – Melissa Wilson; Mrs. Henderson – Pam Dees; Mrs. Black Tooth – Sheryl Vickery; Conductor, African Prince – Kendrick Walker; Mrs. Yellowfoot, Mrs. Porter – Patty Castleberry; Mrs. Percy Ferguson – Wanetta McGinty; Gypsy dancer – Kimberly Casson; George, Indian – Curtis Glaize; Townsperson – Alecia Glaize; Townsperson – Clara Cobb; Stage Manager – Ellis Beachy; Assistants – Jeffery Huber, Mary Beachy, Noah Casson; Lights and Costumes – Judy Huber; Sound – Jerry Janes; Art – Gretchen McPherson’ Choreography – Phil Johnson and Sharon Poulsen; Concessions Manager – Wanetta McGinty.