RIVER VALLEY and OZARK AREA — The Conway Dinner Theater will present Oklahoma! as its summer production.
Featuring a cast of more than 30, the local presentation of the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein musical will be presented Friday and Saturday and again July 20 and 21 at the Natural Resource Center, 310 Amity Road in Conway.
However, because all evening shows are already sold out, two matinees (show only) have been added at 2 p.m. Saturday and July 21.
“Oklahoma! is one of the best loved musicals of all time,” said Joan Hanna, musical director of the upcoming show and director of the Faulkner Academy of Arts, which sponsors the Conway Dinner Theater, as well as the Conway Women’s Chorus.
“It is the story of Laurey, a headstrong farm girl who doesn’t want to fall willingly into the arms of the handsome cowboy, Curly,” Hanna said. “In her attempts to avoid him, she ends up turning to the dark-hearted farmhand, Jud Fry, who wants to do more than take her to the dance. It is based on Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs.”
Well-known songs from Oklahoma! include “Oh What a Beautiful Morning,” “The Surrey With the Fringe on Top” and “People Will Say We Are in Love.”
“We will have the actual‘Surrey With the Fringe on Top’ outside the center for those who would like to have pictures made,” Hanna said with a smile.
Tickets for the show-only matinees are $13 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets may be purchased at Kordsmeier Furniture, 1023 Oak St. in Conway, by cash or check only. Credit-card reservations may be made by calling (501) 339-7401 or visiting faulkneracademyofarts. org.
Kevin Baer of Little Rock, speech professor at the University of Central Arkansas, directs the show. Thisis the first time he has directed a production for the Conway Dinner Theater, although he has been involved in community and UCA theater productions for many years.
“I’ve seen many of Conway Dinner Theater’s shows and enjoyed them all,” Baer said.
“I’m glad to have someone else be the chief cook and bottle washer,” Hanna said with a laugh.
“We’re like two peas in a pod,” Baer said.
Kendra Thomas of Conway is assistant musical director for the production.
Johnny Passmore of Guy stars as Curly, and Jenny Ruud of Little Rock stars as Laurey.
Members of the principal cast are Stacy Butler of Conway as Aunt Eller; Tim Butler of Conway as Ali Hakim; Hank Simo-nis of Perr yville as Will Parker; Amber Addley Welch of Conway as Ado Annie Carnes; Mike Woodrum of Conway as Andrew Carnes; and Devin Pittinger of Bigelow as Jud Fry.
Featured cast members are Chuck Bonham of Conway as Ike Skidmore; Douglas Butler of Conway as Fred;Austin Betts of Greenbrier as Slim; Kristen Sherman of Conway as Gertie Cummings; and Nate Weston of Morrilton as the marshal, Cord Elam.
Members of the ensemble with speaking roles include Sarah Guinee of C onway as Ellen; Miki Brewington of Conway as Kate; McKenzie Stell of Morrilton as Virginia; Mandi Norris of Greenbrier as Vivian; Alex Brewington of Conway as Farmer Joe; and Jacob Fluech of Greenbrier as the minister, Chalmers, and Mike.
Members of the ensemble with nonspeaking rolesare Todd Butler of Conway as Jess; Jackson Karl of Conway as Sam; Gabie Dunaway of Conway as Sylvie; McKenzie Thornton of Conway as Armina; and Kennedy Reynolds of Conway as Aggie.
Members of the chorus who appear as townspeople are Garrett Butler, Stephanie Battles, Stephen Ussery and Liza Allen, all of Conway; Addison Duncan o f Greenbrier ; Grace House and Anna Beth Jeane, both of Wooster; and Anita Bayless of Vilonia.
Additional crew members, all of Conway, are Katie Stogsdill, stage manager; Keith Jones, lights; Mark Nation and Bill Meehan, sets; Marcie Cox, artist; and Gayle Dunaway and Donna Bivins and her dance troupe, choreographers.
River Valley Ozark, Pages 56 on 07/12/2012