At the beginning of the school year, the Madison Consolidated High School Theatre Department announced Oklahoma! as one of its yearly productions, along with other shows like Spongebob: the Musical and The Play That Goes Wrong. Production began on January 11th when auditions, along with director Aaron Kelsey, decided the roles for the show. Some key roles include Saba Chabukashvili as Curly, Sophia Reilmann as Laurey, Chelsea Datillo as Ado Annie, and Karson Couch as Will Parker. See the complete list below:
Xander Bauer, who performs the part of Jud Fry, said, “Yeah, so my character is not a great guy. He’s very creepy and kind of hides in the dark. He’s not much of a people person. He’s boring unless he’s mad, and then he gets very passionate. Oklahoma! is an excellent show with many good messages, catchy songs, and eye-catching dances.”
Also, Owain Kelsey, who performs the part of Andrew Carnes, said, “…I play the character Andrew Carnes. Andrew is a smaller role who acts as Ado Annie’s father. For me, this role is enjoyable to play. He’s a rough-around-the-edge farmer who cares deeply for his daughter. Andrew has many funny moments, and I can’t wait to perform as him for an audience.”
Oklahoma! is a play that Oscar Hammerstein II wrote based on the 1931 play written by Lynn Riggs, Green Grow the Lilacs.
The original cast was Alfred Drake (Curly), Joan Roberts (Laurey), Celeste Holm (Ado Annie), Howard da Silva (Jud Fry), Betty Garde (Aunt Eller), Lee Dixon (Will Parker), Joseph Buloff (Ali Hakim), Jane Lawrence (Gertie), Barry Kelley (Ike) and George S. Irving (Joe).
Oklahoma! greatly impacted musical theater because it was one of the first musicals to blend drama, comedy, dance, and song. The songs in the musical are also used to help move the plot forward and are not just used for a break from the story. It was also groundbreaking for musical performances because there weren’t gags or special dances unrelated to the story. The creators of Oklahoma!, Rodgers and Hammerstein, won a special Pulitzer Prize for Oklahoma! in 1944. It even got a movie release for its incredible performance on Broadway.
Oklahoma! occurs in farmland outside Claremore, Indian Territory, in 1906. It is supposed to be a play on the old western cowboy trope. The legendary production has a “darker tone” than other plays due to its frontier violence and strange marriage negotiations. However, some of the newer showings make the show a little more kid-friendly so it can be for everyone.
Ultimately, Oklahoma! is a play that explores the dynamic of the relationship between Curly and Laurey with other subplots like the complicated romantic dreams of Ado Annie. A farmhand, Jud Fry, also loves Laurey even though she fears him.
Oklahoma! will premiere at the Madison Consolidated High Schools from March 8th through the 10th.
