Theatre and music students perform "Oklahoma!"
The story of love and jealousy set to the backdrop of the Oklahoma territory in the year of 1906 is being performed by CMU's theatre and music students this week in the musical play, "Oklahoma!"
Performance times for the show are at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 11 to Nov. 14 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the Bush Theatre in Moore Hall. Advance tickets are available through Ticket Central by phone at 989-774-3045 or in the northeast corner of the CMU Event Center or at the door for $12.
“Oklahoma! has a very simple plot, but the story is really quite beautiful," said Clarkston senior Caylin Waller, who plays the role of Ado Annie. "I think this show is different from anything I've worked on before because it is such an iconic musical."
Macomb senior Marcie Herbert said putting on the show was just as much a bonding experience as it was hard work.
“To watch (my cast mates) every night truly makes me proud to be a part of such a beautifully simple show,” said Herbert, who plays Aunt Eller, the female protagonist’s eccentric but wise guardian. “It's the people who bring these characters to life that make this show very special.”
Rebecca Hochhuth of Spring Lake, who plays Laurey, the female lead, said the show coming to a close will be bittersweet for the cast’s seniors.
“As a senior I'm going to miss working with all of the different directors and collaborators. I've learned so much from our director in my four years at Central. It's amazing that we get to work with so many talented people in one show.”
The cast has been rehearsing Sunday through Thursday for the past eight weeks in order to present the best show possible. Rehearsals are mentally and physically demanding, cutting into the performers’ homework and sleep time, having them learn complicated dances that require long hours of rehearsal.
“It is a large show with many songs and dances,” said Dr. Annette Thornton, director of the musical. “'Oklahoma!' was the first in a long series of musicals where all the elements of musical theatre —singing, acting, and dancing — were equally important in the dramatic action. It has been highly satisfying to both direct and choreograph this musical.”
