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Richland High School proudly presents its 35th Anniversary Musical with Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA!
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “OKLAHOMA!” will be presented in its original style in a fully-staged production by Richland High School featuring live choral and orchestral accompaniment led by Jerrod Cannistraci, produced by Kim Rauch, directed by Scott D. Miller, with choreography by Janice Yursky and the talent of Richland High School’s beloved actors. This classic American musical, set in a Western territory in the early 1900s, presents the love story of Curly, the handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl. “OKLAHOMA!” runs February 16-19, 2012, in the Richland High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets ($8 regular admission; $7 patrons over 62, Gold Card members are complimentary, and other group discounts; students $7) are available from the box office at 814-269-0300 or http://www.richlandpac.com.
“The show is so iconic that people tend to joke about it, but it really turned the American musical on its head,” explains Richland’s Director Scott D. Miller, who is directing the production. After opening in 1943 at the St. James Theater, “OKLAHOMA!” ran for an impressive 2,212 performances. The musical, based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, “Green Grow the Lilacs,” was the first collaboration between Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein. “OKLAHOMA!” defined the American musical and is considered a historical turning point. In 1944 the Pulitzer Prize jury honored its significance by creating and awarding the musical an Arts Special Citations Pulitzer Prize. Much like the original staging, Richland’s production will present a full orchestra, a large cast and an accompanying chorus to transport the audience to Ammerman’s vision of “bright, sunny, ‘OKLAHOMA!’”
The cast of 55 will showcase actors Toby Nordlund (Curly); Elizabeth Miyagishima (Aunt Eller); Julius Eckroth (Ike); Brandon Prazinko (Carnes); Matt Mimms (Cord); Ann Marley (Kate); Kaliegh Hudak (Aggie); Paige Lumley (Sylvie); Tiffany Haymaker (Laurey); Olivia Salem (Ado Annie); Paul Zdniak (Will Parker); Evan Penrod (Ali Hakim); Adam Rager (Jud Fry); Brandon Rager (Fred); Lee Matthews (Slim); Kiana Fregly (Gertie); Samantha Mihelic (Mary); Kaela Cardarella (Ellen); Brandon Wyatt (Tom); Lindsey Dona (Fay); and Salena Moran (Vivian).
We welcome our ballett and dance company to our stage including dancers Abigail Augustine, Dana Graham, Eden Mullins, Elizabeth Boyce, Hayley Lengenfelder, Kairah Lewis, Kaitlin Wyatt, Kierstyn Reddecliff, Madelein Mahood, McKenzie Warshel, Megan Gipe, and Shelby Baker.
Additionally, Tara Benito, Lindsey Bost, Alaina Bowser, Jasmine Brotemarkle, Savanna Johns, Courtney Keim, Madison Polacek, Emily Potter, Margaret Pribicko, Elizabeth Purcell, Samantha Purcell, Rachael Reed, Morgan Rickley, Anna Rifilato, Danielle Rubis, Bailey Sanden, Sarah Valkovci, Whitney Winters, and Ashley Wonders as the supporting cast of students will complement our 35th Anniversary performance.
The production’s design team includes set designer Martha Ringler, costume designer Angela Rodgers, lighting designer and sound designer Jacob Morisi.
CALENDAR LISTINGS:
Rodgers and Hammerstein's “OKLAHOMA!,” Music by Richard Rodgers, Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Based on the play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs, Original dances by Agnes de Mille, (Feb. 16-19)Thurs., Feb. 16–Sat., Feb. 18, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 19, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Richland Performing Arts Center, 1 Academic Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15904, 814-269-0300, http://www.richlandpac.com, $8 regular; seniors $7; students $7. The beloved classic American musical comes to Richland Performing Arts Center stage in a traditional staging of the popular play.
