Batavia theater group presents 'Oklahoma!'
Rising Star Theatreworks will present the iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Oklahoma!” at the historic Arcada Theatre in St. Charles today through Sunday, June 24-26.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets, $10-$12, can be purchased online at rstix.com.
Set in Western territory in the early 1900s, this classic musical presents the love story of Curly, the handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, and has been charming audiences for more than 65 years.
Based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, “Green Grow the Lilacs,” “Oklahoma!” was the first collaboration between Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The Pulitzer Prize-winning show features the songs “People Will Say We're in Love,” “Oh What a Beautiful Morning,” and of course, “Oklahoma!”
Oklahoma! is codirected by RST artistic director and co-founder Jeanne O'Donnell and Dawn Harkins. Harkins is also vocal director, and music director is Joe Blomquist. Choreographer is Kyle Donahue and ballet choreographer is Paula Venckus. Producer is Tom Jassoy.
The musical features cast members ages 8 through 23 from Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Aurora, and Yorkville. Here is what some of the cast members had to say about their experiences in the production.
Braden Meiners, 8 Geneva
Why he auditioned: My cousin was in tons of plays and I have wanted to be in a play.
Favorite thing about “Oklahoma!”: I like strolling in the “Many a New Day” song with Carrie (Loria) and Erin (Seales). I like the singing and the dancing. If I had to choose, the vocal is easier but I like both.
Claire Ziegler, 18 Yorkville
Favorite thing about “Oklahoma!”: “Oklahoma!” is big, it's grand, it's American in the truest sense. It's about love and rivalry and good and evil — some of the greatest themes in drama. And it has some of the best-loved songs in musical theater.
On the character of Laurey: I love playing Laurey because she's very different from me, and it's fun to take on a personality that's not at all my own. Laurey is spunky and bold. She's full of life, and follows her emotions, which sometimes gets her into trouble.
Megan Grant, 16 Geneva
Favorite thing about “Oklahoma!”: I like “Oklahoma!” because it is a throwback to the classic days of theater. My favorite number is “Farmer and Cowman” because we have a lot of liberty to play a part and enhance our own characters.”
Why she likes to perform: It's fun to step into different roles and be someone you aren't.
Addison Zima, 10 Geneva
Favorite thing about “Oklahoma!”: I've learned so much from the older kids and made a lot of new friends. The different ages work well together.
Mary Owen, 14 Geneva
Favorite thing about “Oklahoma!”: The dancing in this show is intense; I like the spins and lifts.
Cast of ‘Oklahoma!'
Aurora: Anne Spoden
Bartlett: Amee Marik
Batavia: Connor Frederick, Joslyn Haldeman, Claire Heronemus, Sarah Heylmun, Steven Knappe, Zach Turner
Geneva: Marissa Clifford, Jill Danklefsen, Krystina DiCristofano, Meredith Dillon, Grace Dwyer, Annelise Ehrhardt, Emma Claire Ehrhardt, Ashley Fritz, Mallory Grant, Megan Grant, Katie Hansen, Tommy Hintz, Jayne King, Carrie Loria, Braden Meiners, Anika Nims, Mary Owen, Abageal Phelan, Annie Rapach-Lagowski, Steven Sledzinski, Katie Willadsen, Addison Zima
St. Charles: Ryan Barabasz, Kelly Barabasz, Kevin Chlapecka, Margaret Fullem, Jacob Groth, Miranda Keigher, Jeremy Martens, Gabriella Marzetta, Ashley Montgomery, Lauren Nicole, Erin Seales, Erin Telfer, Katelyn VanPetten, Emma Zimmer, Hannah Zimmer
Wayne: Annika Clementi
Yorkville: Claire Ziegler