"Oklahoma!" Opens 25 at Prickett's Fort Amphitheater
Laurey Williams, played by Loralee Simpson, and Curly McLain, played by Greg DeVito.
Depicting the pioneering men and women of the American Midwest, the musical "Oklahoma!" features well-known songs such as "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning," "People Will Say We're in Love," and, of course, "Oklahoma":
"Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain
And the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet
When the wind comes right behind the rain..."
The Fairmont State University Masquers will present the first musical written by composer Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II at Prickett's Fort State Park at 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, June 25-27, and Thursday through Saturday, July 1-3. For tickets, call (304) 367-4240 or visit www.fairmontstate.edu/tickets. Tickets are $12. Admission for the June 27 performance will be "pay what you can."
"I am pleased with the ongoing partnership between Fairmont State University and the Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation to provide quality theater in this outdoor setting for the community and visitors," said Melissa May, Executive Director of Prickett's Fort.
Directed by Jeffrey Ingman, the show is set in the Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906.
"It has been a delightful experience working with such a talented and energetic cast on this year's Town & Gown production," Ingman said. "The community brings such joy to the process, and the connection between the university and the community is priceless. It is going to be a fun show, and I hope everyone comes out to see it."
Greg DeVito of Doddridge County High School's music department plays the lead role of Curly McLain, a cowboy with lots of confidence except when it comes to the girl he'd like to court, Laurey Williams, played by Loralee Simpson.
The cast includes Linda O'Connor as Aunt Eller, Jason Young as Jud Fry, Cora Childress as Ado Annie Carnes, Jay Lindsay as Will Parker, Christian Cox as Ali Hakim, Troy Snyder as Andrew Carnes, Dani DeVito as Gertie Cummings, John O'Connor as Ike Skidmore, John Piscitelli as Cord Elam, Jeremiah Ripley as Slim, Anthony Host as Fred, Sarah Hoffmaster as Kate, Elisha Nestor as Ellen, Steven McElroy as Mike, Lloyd Frazier as Sam, Eli Thompson as Chalmers. In the ensemble are Leigh Anne Bolyard, Sasha Bohon, Kerry Carpenter, Sami Dull, Samantha Huffman, Sydney King, Chris Lavorata, Nora Perone, Maggie Retton, Jane Ryan, M. Lanette Six, Clare Tillman, Gracie Tillman, Mary Tillman, Hannah Weakley, Christopher Yost and Shannon Yost.
Sarah Young teaches a new group dance.
