Palatine production of classic 'Oklahoma!' stars real-life couple
The lead characters in Music on Stage's production of "Oklahoma!" don't have to leave their romance at the stage door.
Cowboy Curly McLain is played by Steve Peter, a schoolteacher from Schaumburg, and farm girl Laurey Williams, who teasingly sings "People Will Say We're in Love," is portrayed by his wife, Ashley Stricker-Peter.
"This is the first time the couple has played romantic interests in Music on Stage," said Todd D. Bulmash, vice chairman of marketing for Music on Stage.
"The couple brings their real-life experiences into the roles to make the characters incredibly believable. Having chemistry offstage allows the couple to develop the characters on a deeper level."
Peter is a physical education teacher at Science and Arts Academy in Des Plaines and the boys and girls volleyball coach at Conant High School in Hoffman Estates. Stricker-Peter is a professional actress. They'll celebrate their third anniversary in May.
"Oklahoma!" opens Saturday, Feb. 27, at Cutting Hall in Palatine, filling the stage with girls, handsome cowboys, beautiful mornings and a surrey with a fringe on top.
"Oklahoma!" was the first musical collaboration of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Set in the early 1900s in the Oklahoma Territory, this musical adaptation of the play "Green Grow the Lilacs" was considered groundbreaking at the time because its music weaves throughout the show to tightly connect the music and the story. The story itself is one that challenges the actor's dramatic chops to evoke more emotions than just laughter.
"Oklahoma!" is directed by Frank Roberts, with music direction by Ann Stewart and choreography by Brenda Didier.
'Oklahoma!'/p>What: Music on Stage's production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classicWhen: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27; 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28; 8 p.m. March 5, 6, 12 and 13; 3 p.m. March 7 and 14. Where: Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., PalatineTickets: Adults $20 in advance, $22 at the door; children ages 12 and younger $18 in advance, $20 at the door; seniors ages 62 and older $17 in advance and $19 at the door. Call the box office at (847) 202-5222 or visit www.musiconstage.org.Etc.: Dinner at Vince's Italian Restaurant before the show for an additional $17 when purchased with your show ticket. Vince's is at 2365 Hicks Road in Palatine. Dinner/ticket packages must be purchased at least 72 hours in advance.False1024384The cast of Music On Stage's "Oklahoma!" rehearse a fight scene that pits the farmers against the cowmen.Courtesy of Music on StageFalse <p class="factboxheadblack">Meet Ashley and Steve</p><p class="News">Steve Peter got his start on the stage as a sophomore at Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, playing Roger in "Grease." Ashley Stricker-Peter's first named role was as Liesl in "The Sound of Music."</p><p class="News">We asked the leads of Music on Stage's "Oklahoma!" the best - and hardest - things about acting with your spouse.</p><p class="News">Ashley: "My favorite thing about working with Steve is that I feel very comfortable being on stage with him. I trust him and I can easily anticipate his actions on stage."</p><p class="News">Steve: "After a long day of work, it's great to connect with each other by doing the thing that we love."</p><p class="News">Ashley: "The hardest thing about working with Steve is when we have a scene together and it's just not working. We've had to figure out a way to talk to each other about our hiccups on stage without making it personal."</p><p class="News">Steve: "I think the toughest part is watching my beautiful wife play opposite someone else!"</p>