#102: Annie Get Your Gun and child stardom in the 1940s with Mary Ellen Ashley

When you want to know about a production, there's no better source than talking to someone who was in it. I never thought that would be possible with the original Broadway run of "Annie Get Your Gun" - I mean, it closed in 1949! But Mary Ellen Ashley, who had a marquee role as the Girl in the Lampshade Hat in the show, is still alive and very much kicking. Though only 8 years old when the show opened, she was already a child star, having been in 2 other major productions and even appearing in a promotional film produced by the Navy, shot in Virginia Beach.

My conversation with Mary Ellen starts with her first public performance at the age of 4 and then quickly moves to her time in "Annie Get Your Gun." It's full of anecdotes and memories, all delivered with a playful attitude that Mary Ellen still maintains at the spry young age of 86.

Please check out my website, ChasingPhantom.net, for previous podcast episodes, links to videos related to the productions I talk about, and additional fun facts and stories. For more on Mary Ellen Ashley, check out her website.