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Health & Fitness

"Little Sure Shot"

Annie Oakley, also known as "Little Sure Shot", is best known for her amazing sharpshooting abilities. With her talent and a little bit of luck, Annie overcame her poor childhood in Ohio and became the first American female superstar. This was an amazing feat in what had previously been a male-dominated profession.

Annie was born Phoebe Ann Moses in rural Ohio in 1860. Her father died when she was young, leaving her in charge of helping support her family. To do this, Annie shot game in the nearby woods and sold her catches to local shopkeepers. Her skilled shooting helped pay off the mortgage on her mother's house and led her to enter a shooting match with touring champion Frank Butler. At the age of 15, Annie won the competition and was married to the same man a year later.

In 1885, they both joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, where Annie would rise to fame and adopt the nickname "Little Sure Shot." For almost 17 years, Annie Oakley toured the world and  dazzled audiences with her amazing shotgun abilities. Later in her life, Annie continued setting records in her sixties and she also engaged in extensive philanthropy for women's rights. Annie Oakley died on November 3, 1926. Eighteen days later, Frank Butler, her husband of 50 years, passed away.

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Many books, movies, and plays have been written to celebrate her life. One of the most popular interpretations of her story is the musical "Annie Get Your Gun" which is slated for a February run at Spreckels Theatre Company in Rohnert Park. 

The original show first opened on Broadway in 1946. Considered by many to a Irving Berlin masterpiece, the play showcases his musicality and ingenuity, including "There's No Business Like Show Business," which has become the definitive show business anthem. 

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 This semi-professional Spreckels Theatre Company production, directed by Sheri Lee Miller,  features the new Paradyne projection system, developed by Spreckels Performing Arts Center, combining still images and animations to create multiple backdrop effects. 

The show runs Feb. 14-23, (7:30 p.m. open on Thursday, 8 p.m. Fridays &Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays). Cost: $22 to $26. Tickets can be purchased from the Spreckels Box Office or call (707-588-3400).

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