The Welk is producing the 1999 revival version of "Annie Get Your Gun," in which Peter Stone revised Dorothy and Herb Fields' original book by trimming sexist remarks, as well as racist Indian stereotypes and the song "I'm an Indian Too," moving "There's No Business Like Show Business" from the end of the show to the beginning, and recasting the musical's setting as a show within a show.

The show's cartoonish Indian characters still utter politically incorrect lines that may make sensitive viewers wince, but in the hands of director/choreographer Jon Engstrom, the musical is a smile a minute, with lively dancing (particularly in "I Got the Sun in the Morning"), trick roping, fancy shooting and colorful costumes that deliver a timeless, all-ages appeal.

For those not familiar with the musical, it follows the real-life transformation of Annie Oakley from an 1870s backwoods hillbilly to the toast of Europe in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Oakley falls hard for the star sharpshooter Butler, but his machismo can't handle sharing the spotlight or being outgunned by a woman, so he defects to a rival show. Eventually, the two shows and their stars come together again when Frank learns that winning isn't always everything and Annie learns that "You Can't Get a Man With a Gun."

It's hard to go wrong with "Annie Get Your Gun." The musical's pacing is swift, the book is funny, and it has a hit-packed score ("There's No Business Like Show Business," "They Say It's Wonderful") that only gets better as it goes along. Staged as a vaudevillian circus (much like big-top Western shows the musical depicts), the characterizations are broad and comical. Most of the actors in the Welk production hew close to this comical ideal. It is only Yandell who underplays her part, making her a flesh-and-blood member of this larger-than-life touring ensemble.

Yandell and Husmann lead a strong cast. Most entertaining is Jeffrey Arnold Wolf as Chief Sitting Bull. Wolf's rubbery face, caterpillar eyebrows and big, expressive eyes mine each of his character's lines for all their comic potential. San Diego character actor Ralph Johnson brings a nice energy and flair to the dual roles of innkeeper Foster Wilson and showman Pawnee Bill. Robert Marra and Jill Lewis (as young lovers Tommy Keeler and Winnie Tate) have youthful energy and good dancing chops in a pair of tap numbers. John Shull has a nice flair for theatricality as ringmaster Buffalo Bill Cody. And Susan M. Bell and John Richard Petersen add spice as the sparring showpeople Dolly Tate and Charlie Davenport.

A sextet of young actors, many of them from North County, are double-cast in the roles of Annie's younger siblings: Ashley Avan and Chelsea Moore share the role of Jessie; Heather Youmans and Kelsey Smith are Nellie; and Michael Drummond and Sterling Beaumon play Little Jake.

Justin Gray serves as both musical director and conductor, Patrick Hoyny created the sound, Ambra Wakefield and David Heckman designed costumes, and Andrew Hammer created the circus tent set.

The musical runs two hours, 30 minutes, with intermission.

"Annie Get Your Gun"

When: 1:45 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays-Thursdays and Saturdays; 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; through Nov. 8

Where: Welk Resort Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido

Tickets: $42-$48 (includes buffet lunch or dinner); $31-$34 (show only)

Info: (760) 749-3448