As the opening of the play draws near, the cast and crew of "Annie Get Your Gun" spend countless hours getting the production up to the standard of Alpine Community Theater.

In one corner of Mountainville Academy, set builders are constructing the mobile backdrops that help create the ambiance of the production. In other corners, different ensembles are working on their parts.

Loud music plays the soundtrack with a disembodied voice saying "rehearsal tracks" every half-minute. In the center of the stage, the leads work on their parts.

It is easy to pick out Buffalo Bill. Kevin Burtenshaw has been growing his hair and beard to look the classic Bill part since he was cast weeks ago.

"I'm pleased with the project," Burtenshaw said. "I do a lot of talking and yelling and introducing shows.

"I'm one of those guys who wouldn't be caught dead doing this in high school," he said. Burtenshaw did his first play in college in pursuit of a girl. The acting bug bit him, and he has been acting ever since.

"I think it's going well," Alpine City Councilman Thomas Whitchurch said. Whitchurch has been a part of the theater program in Alpine for the past six summer productions. "I'm excited for people to see the work come to fruition."

Chase and Brooke Grant met while working on the play "Oklahoma" in American Fork. They later married and play the two main characters of Frank Butler and Annie Oakley.

Chase said he was excited to play characters who really existed, and he praised the production.

"The organization and professionalism is unparalleled," he said. "It's nice to just be married now so when we do a kissing scene, it is OK."

"It's the biggest part I've ever played," Brooke said. "Irving Berlin wasn't messing around when he wrote this part."

Caroline Morris, who plays Dolly Tate, said the show will be good.

"It's all coming together," she said. "At first it was hard to get in touch with my character but I am working on it."

People who attend the production will see that Morris, who is a vocal performance major at Utah Valley University, has found her character.

The musical will be presented at Timberline Middle School which is located at 500 W. Canyon Crest Road in Alpine. Shows are July 10-18 -- excluding July 11 and 16 -- at 7 p.m. There will be a special matinee showing on July 11 at 2 p.m.

For more information, visit www.alpinecommunitytheater.org.