Musical has familiar tunes
Familiar melodies such as "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin' will echo throughout the Historic Yuma Theatre in January when the Yuma Community Theater presents "Oklahoma!"
The play will be on stage Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Sundays, 2 p.m. Jan. 5-21.
Fred Brown, producer, said, "This is a 'return' request, as our Community Theater did produce the play several years ago, and it was well received then. We have a new cast of characters. There is so much great talent in Yuma!"
This was the first musical play by composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist-librettist Oscar Hammerstein II which premiered March 31, 1943, in New York City. The story is based on Lynn Rigg's 1931 play, "Green Grow the Lilacs," set in the Oklahoma Territory in 1906. It is the romance of cowboy Curly McLain (portrayed in the Yuma production by Bob Rammelt), and a farm girl, Laurey Williams (played on alternate evenings by Jennifer Cook and Adriana Tansey).
More characters are Aunt Eller (with the dual roles by Cathy Lawless and Toni Hoskins); Ali Hakim (Rob Fram and John Herrera), the peddler man; Ado Annie (Shara Johnston and Kyrstal Reta), the "girl who can't say no" and her father Andrew Carnes (Fred Brown), who is a judge.
Jud Fry, the hired hand who has ideas about Laurey, is played by Ralph Gray.
The role of Will Parker, a rodeo cowboy who sings and dances, is played by Frank Burgess.
One other character is Gertie Cummins (Sonja Wierdsterin and Chantal Sellers).
The original "Oklahoma!" ran for an unprecedented 2,212 performances from 1943 until May 29, 1948. It has been revived several times since, including national tours, and on the London stage.
The film adaptation was made in 1955, starring Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, Rod Steiger, Gloria Grahame and Eddie Albert - winning Academy Awards.
More of the tunes that keep the audience humming are "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top, and the song of "Oklahoma!" itself.
Yuma Community Theater's production is partially funded through a grant by the Yuma Arts and Culture department.
Brown said, "We have already given 160 tickets to the drama students in the eight area high schools, plus some to charitable organizations and the media. We want the community to enjoy this production.
Tickets are $15 each, available at all the AEA Federal Credit Union offices and by calling 919-4876.
Pam M. Smith can be reached at psmith@yumasun.com or 539-6856.
IF YOU GO...
What: "Oklahoma"
When: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Jan. 5-21
Where: Historic Yuma Theatre
Who: Yuma Community Theater
