This page was updated on April 17, 2007.

Actorsingers’ Spring 2007 Production:
OKLAHOMA!

Actorsingers is doing OKLAHOMA!

We'll present the landmark American Musical, the first musical by composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist/librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. Don't miss this beloved classic!

Friday, May 4 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 5 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 6 at 2:00 pm
Keefe Auditorium, Elm Street, Downtown Nashua

Directed by Dan Barth

Dan is new to Actorsingers — welcome!

Music Director Peter Bonaccorsi

Peter conducted the fine orchestra of our Brigadoon in 2003

Choral Director Henry Kopczynskie

Also new to Actorsingers... welcome Henry!

Choreographer Jessica Scalese

Jessica was Mary Magdalene in our excellent and memorable 2005 production of Jesus Christ Superstar

The Cast

Curly -- Michael Coppola
Laurey -- Mandy O'Neil
Jud Fry -- Tom Ritrovato
Ado Annie -- Rachel Scott
Will Parker -- Thomas Caron
Aunt Eller -- Judi Mitchell
Gertie Cummings -- Rachel Cerullo
Ali Hakim -- Gary Vago
Dream Laurey -- Tina Cassidy
Featured Dancers -- Lanéa Ritrovato & Laura Franzini
Ike Skidmore -- David Corliss
Cord Elam -- Rudy Borkowski
Andrew Carnes -- Allan Hunter

Ensemble
  John Barsoian        Mary Reilly    
  Mike Bradbury        Emily Snodgrass    
  Beth Fowler          Jason Standley    
  Kenny Gray           Corey Sulzen    
  Steve Harper         Katie Tocci    
  Elizabeth Hoermann   Gary Vago    
  Alex Moicntyte       Julie Vago    
  Melissa Morin        Ryan Warren    
  Ellen Morrill        Bruce Williams    
  Mallory Muller       Alan Witt    
  Laura Patterson      Terry Zoda    
  Amanda Picardi           

The Play

Set in the Midwestern Indian country, at the turn of the century, the musical presents two sets of lovers. It's a yarn that features a villainous character, Jud, (which opened musical comedy to a new aspect), who comes between a cowhand known as Curly and a pretty girl called Laurey. A love triangle between Ado Annie, an Oriental pedlar, and a cowhand named Will provides sticky humorous situations. With an unusual auction, enchanting ballet, and a sad murder, there is, in all the romance, tensions, laughter and drama, the melodic tunes which create OKLAHOMA!

Rodgers and Hammerstein

Oklahoma was a direct result of Rodgers and Hammerstein becoming a team. Rodgers had been approached by The Theatre Guild of New York, which was suffering a succession of theatrical failures that was bringing their famous producing organization to death, about creating a musical based on Novelist Lynn Riggs' "Green Grow the Lilacs," but Lorenz Hart, Rodgers' partner at the time, felt sure that this particular novel didn't have the makings of a musical. The Theatre Guild's next play simply had to be a success. Rodgers new partner was Hammerstein.

Hammerstein had secretly wanted to convert "Green Grow the Lilacs" into a musical. He had approached Jerome Kern, who turned his request down with the reason that the novel didn't have the makings of a musical. Then Hammerstein found out that The Theatre Guild was negotiating with Rodgers and Hart; Rodgers remembered Hammerstein and Hammerstein remembered Rodgers at the same time. Rodgers paid Hammerstein a visit to his farm in Pennsylvania in 1941, and a "marriage" was performed -- a marriage of words and music.

For cast and crew members:
OKLAHOMA! Insiders Area is HERE