Staff and students of John Paul II Collegiate high school are putting the production Rodgers and Hemmerstein's Oklahoma! into action Nov. 23, 24 and 25.
Oklahoma! the musical is set in Oklahoma Territory in 1906, outside a town called Claremore. It is about two stories - one of a cowboy named Curly McLain and his crush, Laurey Williams, a farm girl; the other is about Will Parker and his fiancée, a friend of Laurey's, Ado Annie.
Though this will be the second time Oklahoma! has been produced by JP II, it is only one of many productions that have been put on by the JP II students and staff.
After two weeks of readings, the cast has been selected. Along with around 30 students comprising the cast, a pit band full of musicians, 10 stage crew, as well as lighting people and plenty of staff. The production is sure to be one to remember.
Readings of the scripts are every day at noon hour and on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school from 3:30 until 5 p.m.
The tickets will be sold at parent teacher Interviews, Oct. 26 and 27 on a first come first served basis. Tickets cannot be reserved. There will be three performances, one of just the play itself and two evenings of dinner and a musical.
To add the cherry on top there will be a live orchestra involved, comprised of musicians from all over the community. They will be under the musical guidance of Gene Aulinger, Therese Mahmood and Brenda Miller.
The cast and company have to share the gym as John Paul II Collegiate does not have a theatre. The gymnasium will have to be given up for a week by the physical education department for the rehearsing and practising by the actors and singers. The gym and actors will have to share the location, and because of this, the production will be showing earlier. The productions usually take place in the first or second week of December, instead of late November.
The set design and decorations are being made by the art club, led by Mrs. Dyck. Members are always free to join in and help. Practical and applied arts students are also going to be helping the Oklahoma! cast with set designing.
While the cast for the musical Oklahoma! has been chosen, in early spring of next year a Showcase of the Stars will be hosted. This is a large scale student talent show that anybody and everybody is welcome to join in and show off their talent
Look forward to the premier performance of Oklahoma! in November, and be sure to get your tickets while you can in October at parent teacher interviews. The cast and company of the production will look forward to seeing all the seats full.
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