Oklahoma at Wesleyan: Way More Than OK

On February 23-25 the Wolf Players at High School presented a fun to watch performance of Rogers and Hammerstein’s musical, Oklahoma. Based on the 1931 book Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs, this musical first hit the Broadway stage in 1943. 

Being somewhat ‘ancient of days’ in the musical theatre realm, director Steve Broyles commented that “Many of the students were unfamiliar with Oklahoma.” But as they got to know this well loved musical they embraced it wholeheartedly and this was evident in their enthusiastic performance. 

Broyles commented that the students really enjoyed working on this upbeat musical. They loved transporting themselves back to a different era, wearing the cowboy outfits and using props from another time and place. He said that he is so grateful for the many parent volunteers who spent countless hours providing all of the authentic costumes and props. They were very impressive indeed. 

It was easy to hear that much time and rehearsal went into the choral numbers which were directed by Dr. John Peed who also conducted the orchestra. From the overture to the last “OK!”, the music in this lively production had me tapping my toes and humming all the way home and into the next day. 

The set design was well done as usual at Wesleyan. The lighting design was especially interesting during the ballet sequence which I found particularly engaging. For a high school drama department to pull off an entertaining ballet sequence is impressive. 

The actors seemed to be completely engaged and enjoying the performance. They managed to pull us into their world of wide open spaces in their home on the range. Katie Williams (Aunt Eller) said, “I am excited about Oklahoma because since it is my first play, everything is new to me. I am looking forward to opening night and seeing everything come together and all of our hard work paying off.”; and that it did.  

You could tell that the cast was working as a team. Nate Grice (Andrew Carnes) commented that, “I love acting because the cast grows extremely close through all of our hard work, and the thought that so many people are experiencing that for the first time is exciting.”

Here is the cast list from this fun-filled show: Katie Williams (Aunt Eller), Russell Matherly (Curly), Ashley Gentry (Laurey), Andrew Sabonis-Chafee (Ike), Jay Bell (Will), Drew Freeman (Ali), Ricky Yoder (Jud), Kate Lackey (Ado Annie), Abbie Frye (Gurtie), Nate Grice (Andrew Carnes), Brandt O’Kelley (Slim), Clark O’Kelley (Cord), T.J. Mergler (Jess), Blake Morris (Mike), Kristen Solomon (Vivian), Christina Austin (Virginia), Maddie Turnbull (Ellen), Daisy Mills (Kate), Maddie Frye (chorus),  Challee Johnson (chorus/ballet), Caroline Reed (chorus), Shelby Masters( chorus), Leanne Moore (chorus), Caitlin Healy (chorus), Ashley Moody (chorus), Julia Collins (chorus), Lila Deaton (chorus/ballet), Chandler Darnell (chorus/ballet), Holly Shinn (chorus), Christy Zachery (chorus/ballet), Emma Murphy (ballet-Dream Laurey), Emma Schroeder (chorus/ballet), Elizabeth Driver (stage manager) and Lizl Kruger (stage manager).

Thanks again to the Wolf Players for an entertaining performance of O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A which was way more than OK. Please go to www.wesleyanschool.org for more information about their theatre department and upcoming performances.