As the state of Oklahoma celebrates the centennial of its statehood in 2007, Pequot Lakes Community Theatre joins in that celebration with its production of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, "Oklahoma!"
Filled with such famous songs as "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'," "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top," "People Will Say We're in Love," and, of course, the title song, "Oklahoma!" set against the background of the Territory of Oklahoma at the turn of the 20th century, this production tells the story of the cowboy Curly (Daren Blanck, Nisswa) and his longtime love, the farm owner Laurey (Jenny Kiffmeyer, Baxter).
Surrounding them are Laurey's wise and comic Aunt Eller (Ann Marie Lubovich, Pine River) and the rowdy Ado Annie (Carrie Gordon, Pine River), the "Girl Who Cain't Say No" and can't make up her mind between two suitors; champion cowboy Will Parker (Charlie Cook, Pequot Lakes) and traveling salesman Ali Hakim (Ben Gordon, Pine River).
Complicating everyone's lives is the threatening farmhand, Jud Fry (Chad Ellertson, Pequot Lakes).
The cast also includes Amanda Hayes, Eric Kloster and Kassi Owens (Breezy Point), Joe Binda (Crosslake), Billie Ross (Merrifield), Chuck Nielsen (Lake Shore), and Kate Davis, Peter Herzog, Brian Kennedy, Colleen Kennedy, Hannah McQueen, Rachel Pierson and Maggie Plattes (Pequot Lakes).
The production staff includes Michael Sander (director, Pine River), Amy Borash (choreographer, Baxter), Andrea Besnett (vocal and orchestra director, Breezy Point), Allan Olson (sets, Pequot Lakes), Pat Dullum (costumes, Pequot Lakes), Renee Anderson (accompanist, Pequot Lakes), Randolph Larsen (stage manager, Pequot Lakes), and C.J. Anderson (technical director, Pequot Lakes).
"Oklahoma!" will be performed in the Pequot Lakes High School Auditorium on Nov. 9-11 and Nov. 16-18, at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets are $10 (adult), $9 (senior) and $8 (youth). Advance reservations can be placed through Pequot Lakes Community Educ-ation, 568-9200; tickets will also be available at the door on the day of performance.
For opening night Nov. 9 only, a special of "buy one ticket - get a second at half price," is offered courtesy of the Northern National Bank.
"Oklahoma!" opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, in the Pequot Lakes High School Auditorium.
The opening night showing features a ticket special - "Buy one, get one at half price." Northern National Banks of Baxter, Nisswa and Crosslake sponsor the opening night promotion.
Tickets for the Pequot Lakes Community Theater production are available in advance from the Pequot Lakes Community Education office at 568-9200.
Tickets will be sold at the door starting one hour before each performance. All tickets are for general seating.
Additional performances are:
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10.
2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11.
7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16.<
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17.
2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18.
