AT PRICKETT’S FORT AMPHITHEATER
Depicting the pioneering men and women of the American Great Plains, the musical “Oklahoma!” features well-known songs such as “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” “People Will Say We’re in Love,” and, of course, “Oklahoma”:
And the wavin’ wheat can sure smell sweet
When the wind comes right behind the rain…”
Tickets are $12. Admission for the June 27 performance will be “pay what you can.”
“I am pleased with the ongoing partnership between Fairmont State University and the Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation to provide quality theater in this outdoor setting for the community and visitors,” said Melissa May, Executive Director of Prickett’s Fort.
Directed by Jeffrey Ingman, the show is set in the Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906.
"It has been a delightful experience working with such a talented and energetic cast on this year's Town & Gown production," Ingman said. "The community brings such joy to the process, and the connection between the university and the community is priceless. It is going to be a fun show, and I hope everyone comes out to see it."
Greg DeVito of Doddridge County High School's music department plays the lead role of Curly McLain, a cowboy with lots of confidence except when it comes to the girl he'd like to court, Laurey Williams, played by Loralee Simpson.
The cast includes Linda O'Connor as Aunt Eller, Jason Young as Jud Fry, Cora Childress as Ado Annie Carnes, Jay Lindsay as Will Parker, Christian Cox as Ali Hakim, Troy Snyder as Andrew Carnes, Dani DeVito as Gertie Cummings, John O'Connor as Ike Skidmore, John Piscitelli as Cord Elam, Jeremiah Ripley as Slim, Anthony Host as Fred, Sarah Hoffmaster as Kate, Elisha Nestor as Ellen, Steven McElroy as Mike, Lloyd Frazier as Sam, Eli Thompson as Chalmers. In the ensemble are Leigh Anne Bolyard, Sasha Bohon, Kerry Carpenter, Sami Dull, Samantha Huffman, Sydney King, Chris Lavorata, Nora Perone, Maggie Retton, Jane Ryan, M. Lanette Six, Clare Tillman, Gracie Tillman, Mary Tillman, Hannah Weakley, Christopher Yost and Shannon Yost.
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Review by Geoff Steele
As the sky grew dark and the audience gathered at Prickett’s Fort Amphitheatre, it was actually the beginning of a “beautiful morning” for Fairmont State University School of Fine Arts and Town and Gown Players as they presented the 1943 Broadway hit OKLAHOMA! Uniquely swirled ears of corn with a stunning back drop of plains and sky set the stage when Curly's (Greg DeVito) voice broke through the crisp night air ringing like a wakeup call for the farm setting to come alive.
Aunt Eller (Linda O'Connor) was hysterically funny and reminiscent of Granny from the "Beverly Hillbillies." She knew exactly how to deliver her lines to make the audience chuckle. The stubborn love bickering between Curly and Laurey (Loralee Simpson) was perfectly timed and believable and both were strong in character and presence. Laurey finds herself in the midst of a suitor problem when her farmhand, Jud Fry (Jason Young), asks her to the social before the headstrong Curley does. As Laurey agrees to go with Jud she has no idea of the fate which lies ahead.
Will Parker (Jay Lindsay) gives his all with "Kansas City" as the script introduces additional characters and additional story lines. Ado Annie (Cora Childress) is to be commended on her perfect hormonal performance of "I Can't Say No" as she finds herself in a horrible dilemma of two suitors--the mysterious and worldly Ali Hakim (Christian Cox) and Will Parker.
While the main characters have the majority of the stage time and musical numbers and the cast delivers very strong performances, there are some performances of minor characters that deserve recognition. Troy Snyder as Andrew Carnes, Ado Annie’s father, is terrific comic relief wielding his rifle and dealing with Ado Annie’s suitors and leading the ensemble in “The Farmer and the Cowman Should be Friends.” Mr. Snyder also designed the sets. John O’Connor as Ike Skidmore brings professional level acting skills to a role that could be lost in the crowd. Dani DeVito as Gertie Cummings, a role without a solo, manages to create a character laugh that reduces the audience to giggles every time she is heard. Of particular note is Jason Young as Jud Fry who has to tackle one of the most unlikable characters written for a musical. Mr. Young manages to totally capture the audience attention with an unsympathetic character and enthrall them with a sensitive and beautiful singing of his soliloquy, “Lonely Room.”
Overall, the production of OKLAHOMA! is well done blending direction, choreography, acting, scenery, lighting and costumes. The music from an eight-piece orchestra conducted by music director Jamie Clegg is very well done and the singing by the ensemble is very impressive. Director, Jeffrey Ingman, should be proud of this production as the audience at the amphitheatre gave the production 100% of its attention to the story, roared its approval of individual musical numbers and stood to show its overall appreciation at the finale.
The photographs that follow are all by Andrew O'Hearn.
