“It’s a slice of Americana and a fun show for our large cast, “ says Bill Mutimer, director of “Annie Get Your Gun,” 7 p.m. March 3, 4, 5 and 2 p.m. March 6, auditorium, Northwestern Lehigh High School, 6493 Rt. 309, New Tripoli, Lynn Township.

Mutimer, co-chair of the theater department at Northampton Community College where the Bethlehem resident teaches and directs, is in his 15th year as theater director at Northwestern and his third time as director of “Annie Get Your Gun,” a lively musical with 50 students in colorful Western costumes who act, sing and dance in and around a large “patriotic” red and white tent in production. Mutimer is choreographer. Sherri Melcher is music director. David Brachtel is “virtual orchestra” technical director.

“Annie Get Your Gun” opened on Broadway in 1946, where it ran for 1,147 performances, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and a book by Dorothy Fields and her brother Herbert Fields. The show, based on the story of “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” show (1883-1913), returned to Broadway for revivals in 1966 and 1999. During its final Broadway run, the show received a Tony Award for Best Revival. A movie version was released in 1950, starring Betty Hutton, followed by a TV movie in 1957.

“It’s a classic battle of the sexes,” says Mutimer, describing the musical comedy about sharpshooters Frank Butler and young newcomer Annie Oakley (1860-1926), who compete against each other in the “Wild West” show and fall in love despite their rivalry.

The musical’s songs include “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Anything You Can Do” and “You Can’t Get A Man With A Gun.”

Tickets: 610-298-8661, ext. 2267