Otterbein Summer Theatre Presents: “Oklahoma!”

Posted May 24, 2018

Westerville, OH – The Otterbein Summer Theatre (OST) is proudly presenting Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 31; and at 8 p.m. Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2; at 2 p.m. June 3, June 8, June 10, and June 17; and 8 p.m. Thursday, June 14-16, June 14-16, and June 21 and 22 in the Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., Westerville. Tickets cost $33. Call 614-823-1109 or visit www.otterbein.edu/summertheatre. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first collaboration remains, in many ways, their most innovative, having set the standards and established the rules of musical theatre still being followed today. The production will be directed by Lenny Leibowitz with music direction by Sam Clein and choreography by Stella Hiatt Kane. This production will feature a resourceful cast of 13, many playing multiple roles. Set in a Western Indian Territory just after the turn of the century, the high-spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the colorful background against which Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, play out their love story. Although the road to true love never runs smooth, with these two headstrong romantics holding the reins, love’s journey is as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road. “Oklahoma!” will be staged in the Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall in the traditional seating style, unlike years past when OST was produced with the audience seated on three sides of the action in portable seating banks. “We are devoted to making the audience experience at the theatre more comfortable and enjoyable than ever before. So, visitors will experience Cowan Hall in its traditional, easy access, roomy and riser-free seating arrangement,” said Leibowitz. “Our scenic and lighting artists will be creating an overall ambiance that embraces the grandeur of the space while preserving that magical sense of intimacy that makes OST experiences so special.” Tickets are $33 each and can be reserved by calling the Otterbein University box office at (614) 823-1109 or purchased online at www.otterbein.edu/drama. The box office is open 12-4 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour prior to performances. The box office is located in Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove Street. Student Rush discounts are available one hour prior to curtain, pending ticket availability. Otterbein Summer Theatre is a professional theatre experience hosted by the Department of Theatre and Dance at Otterbein University. One of the longest running summer theaters in Central Ohio, OST performs two to three productions each season in addition and provides additional experiences in the way of staged readings and concerts.

DETAILS:
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
May 31-June 3, June 7-10, June 14-17, June 21 and 22
Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., Westerville PRODUCTION TEAM
Directed by: Lenny Leibowitz
Music Direction by: Sam Clein
Choreography by; Stella Hiatt Kane
Scenic Designer: Dan Gray
Costume Designer: Rebecca White
Lighting Designer: T.J. Gerckens
Sound Designer: Doc Davis
Stage Manager: Megan Gillespie CAST LIST
Curly                                              Matt Wiesner
Laurey                                           Hannah Roberts
Will Parker                                     Kenneth Remaklus
Jud                                                 Kyle Brace
Aunt Eller                                       Noël Isaacson
Gerdy Cummings                          Emma Shine
Mr. Carnes                                    Cameron Chang
Ado Annie                                     Payton Tevis
Ali Hakim                                      Trey Plutnicki                 Ensemble: Noah Boger,  Kevin Buckley, Cameron Chang, Olivia Crago, Jeremy Hurr, Noël Isaacson, Trey Plutnicki, Emma Shine Payton Tevis PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Thursday, May 31, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 1, 8 p.m.                     
Saturday, June 2, 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 3, 2 p.m.
Thursday, June 7, 8 p.m.
Friday, June 8, 2 p.m.
Friday, June 8, 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 9, 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 10, 2 p.m.
Thursday, June 14, 8 p.m.
Friday, June 15, 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 16, 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 17, 2 p.m.
Thursday, June 21, 8 p.m.
Friday, June 22, 8 p.m.