Patrick Cassidy Replaces Brian Stokes Mitchell in Ravinia's Annie Get Your Gun

Patrick Cassidy will play Frank Butler opposite Patti LuPone as Annie Oakley in the Ravinia Festival’s forthcoming production of Annie Get Your Gun. Cassidy replaces the previously announced Brian Stokes Mitchell, who has withdrawn due to a scheduling conflict. Directed by Lonny Price, the musical will run August 13-15, accompanied by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paul Gemignani.

In addition to LuPone and Cassidy, the cast will include Tony winner George Hearn (La Cage aux Folles, Wicked) as Buffalo Bill. The semi-staged production allows LuPone to tackle her third iconic Ethel Merman role, after Broadway revivals of Gypsy and Anything Goes.

Cassidy played Frank in the Annie Get Your Gun’s most recent Broadway revival (opposite Cheryl Ladd) and has appeared on Broadway in Aida, 42nd Street, Leader of the Pack and The Pirates of Penzance. Off-Broadway, he originated the role of the Balladeer in Assassins. Cassidy starred in the national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and has headlined Los Angeles productions of Company and The Threepenny Opera.