"Annie Oakley is one of our nation's first female superstars," said Peters Township High School English teacher and musical director Barry Wood.

He added that understanding the life of the woman whose shooting skills earned her worldwide admiration isn't the only attraction of "Annie Get Your Gun," which opens May 1 at Peters.

In his 37 years of producing musicals, Mr. Wood said the show, which he's done "four or five times," remains one of his favorites, partly because of the enduring music written by Irving Berlin.

"Almost every song from the show became a national hit," he pointed out, including "There's No Business Like Show Business," the national anthem of entertainers.

Other notable songs are "I've Got the Sun in the Morning," "Doin' What Comes Natur'lly," and "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun."

Mr. Wood, of Houston, Washington County, started the theater program at Peters in 1971 and said he has no plans to retire, despite being 66. "I love my job and I love the kids, and I'm not tired of it yet."

And then there's the "unique love story" of Annie and her husband Frank Butler, which forms the core of the show. "It's all based on reality. They were married 40 years," said Mr. Wood. "She really travelled with Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, and she really shot the ashes of out of Austrian Emperor Franz Josef's cigarette."

Mr. Wood said because she was on stage virtually the entire show, the role of Annie was very demanding, "like running a marathon." But he added senior Becky Rosky is "doing a tremendous job. What a voice."

"Annie Get Your Gun" also stars Carl Mitchell as Frank Butler, Natalie Palamides as Dolly, Harrison Buzzatto as Charlie Davenport, Hardy Kern as Buffalo Bill and James Northrop as Sitting Bull.

Another challenge of the show is its costume requirements, but Mr. Wood said his two costumiers, Jan Marietta and Lorry McMahon, had managed to put together "everything from evening gowns to chaps."

Mr. Wood had no information about the musical's budget, but said most of the bills were paid out of ticket sales.

Mr. Wood said even if audiences weren't familiar with the musical, which debuted on Broadway in 1945, or its 1999 Tony award-winning revival starring Bernadette Peters, they would be sure to recognize the tunes and the show's heroine.

"The show's got great music, a great story, and it's entertaining for the whole family," he said. "What more could you want?"

"Annie Get Your Gun" is at Peters High School, 264 East McMurray Road, Peters, at 7 p.m. May 1 and 7:30 p.m. May 2-3. Tickets are $7, $5 students and seniors. Call 724-941-6250, ext. 5396.