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IU Kokomo Director of Music Wendy Grice, and her husband, IU Kokomo Vocal Director Garry Grice are not ones to shy away from big projects, as can be seen in their last few IU Kokomo productions such as “The Mikado” and “Murder on the Orient Express.” So, their picking of Rogers and Hammerstein's expansive musical, “Oklahoma!” shows their dedication to bringing big things to the Havens Auditorium stage.
"You have got to have diversity and this show fit the bill," said Wendy Grice.
Garry Grice agreed, "I like to do shows that are good for singers...so it (Oklahoma! ) had to have its turn.
Other criteria for selecting shows for the Grices is having not only good singing parts, but a good story behind the production. "You have to have a good book," said Wendy.
IU Kokomo Humanities Major Chloe Vanwinkle, who plays the character Ado Annie and helps direct, was shaking off the opening night jitters. She noted she was not that familiar with the show.
"Family members sang songs from Oklahoma, because it's pretty popular," Vanwinkle said.
William Van Heyningen, who plays Cowboy Will Parker, also was familiar with the Rogers and Hammerstein work, but "never got around to watching it until it was announced as our show."
“Oklahoma!” is the first musical written by the Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Set in farm country outside the town of Claremore, Indian Territory, in 1906, it tells the story of farm girl Laurey Williams and her courtship by two rival suitors: cowboy Curly McLain, and the sinister and frightening farmhand Jud Fry. A secondary romance concerns cowboy Will Parker and his flirtatious fiancée, Ado Annie.
Wendy Grice's program notes tell an incidental story about the initial New York production of “Oklahoma!” back in March of 1943:
“The writers passed out free tickets and filled the seats with young GIs. As the curtain came down, they saw tears streaming down the young soldiers’ faces. The Midwestern story had touched a nerve in the soldiers who were leaving home for an unknown fate. ‘Oklahoma!’ was cemented into the tapestry of American musical theater, and it is still produced more than any other show in the United States each year."
The Department of Communications and Performing Arts at IUK will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical “Oklahoma!” at 7 p.m., April 11-13, and 3 p.m., April 14, in Havens Auditorium.
This show is great family entertainment with unforgettable melodies, dance, and humor set in turn of the century Oklahoma. Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 for students/Crimson Card holders and free for children 6 and younger.