The Owego-Apalachin Music Department will present Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical Oklahoma! this month at the Middle School auditorium.
Three performances are scheduled: Friday, March 21, at 7:30 pm; Saturday, March 22 at 7:30 pm; and a Sunday matinee on March 23 at 2:30 pm.
Oklahoma! is set in the early 1900s and tells the love story of a cowboy called Curly and farm girl named Laurey, and the high-spirited rivalry between the cowboys and the local farmers.
The lead roles of Curly and Laurey will be played by Matt
King and Julie Lemmon. Other major roles will be played by Allison Gilli,
Jeff Andrews, Nicole Arbes, Christi Finnissey, Peter Morrison, Jon King
and Jeremy Pranes.
About 80 students from Grades 9 through 12 are involved in the
production - including cast, crew, and orchestra. Parents and other members
of the community are also involved with costumes, makeup, set construction,
orchestra, and technical assistance.
The performance is directed by Pat Bliznik and Janet Parker. The orchestra is directed by Dan Fabricius.
Oklahoma! was Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's first collaboration, and is a musical adaptation of the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs. The original production of Oklahoma! opened at the St. James Theatre in New York on March 31, 1943, in the middle of a raging snowstorm (the top ticket price was $4.80!).
Musical numbers from the production include Oh, What a Beautiful Morning; The Surrey with the Fringe on Top; People Will Say We're in Love; Out of My Dreams; and the title number, Oklahoma!
Oklahoma! has received many awards, including a special Pulitzer Prize, two Academy Awards, induction into the Grammy Awards Hall of Fame, and a special Tony Award.
Tickets for the Owego-Apalachin Musical Department's production
of Oklahoma! are $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for students and seniors.
For tickets, call box office at (607) 625-2193.
The Community Press