The University of Memphis’ Department of Theatre and Dance starts off the calendar year with the popular musical “Oklahoma!” It premieres Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Mainstage Theatre.
“Oklahoma!” is the third play of the department’s season.
The play originally opened on Broadway in 1943 and has remained popular ever since.
Even today it is a very popular choice for high school and university productions for various reasons.
“It combines the three elements of musical theatre: acting, singing and dancing,” Mark Schnitzler, assistant director of the play, said. “It gives students the possibility to display all their abilities.”
There are also many roles to cast, so a lot of theatre students get a chance to be part of the show, said Jake Bell, 21, a theatre senior from Memphis. He is playing “Mike,” a part in the ensemble.
“Some people think it is a fluff story that has no substance,” Bell said. “But it is actually very charming and has a lot of heart in it.”
The cast has rehearsed since late January and will preform the musical on the two upcoming weekends. Schnitzler said the production sticks very close to the original “beautiful, wellknown music.” The orchestra accompanying the shows features half music students from the U of M and half professional musicians.
“Oklahoma!” is deeply rooted in American culture, Schnitzler said. “It is about building something from nothing,” he said.
The musical takes place shortly before Oklahoma became a state and emphasizes values such as friendship and solidarity. This can be a useful message to students today who watch the musical, Schnitzler said.
“They could see how important the people around them are, and how building a community can help you to achieve something together,” he said.
This positive spirit the cast has surrounding the play is what Bell likes most about the production.
“You can really feel that sense of comradery among the cast too, so the show is a lot of fun.”
U of M students can get one free ticket per show. Other students from the area need to pay $15 and adults $20 to see the musical. “Oklahoma!” will run on the weekends of Feb. 18 to 20 and Feb. 25 to 27.
“Oklahoma!” is coming to the University of Memphis Mainstage Theatre tonight at 7:30 p.m. U of M students Tyler Vernon (top right) and Erica Peninger, (bottom left) take on the lead rolls of cowboy Curly McLain and farm girl Laurey Williams. Read the story and see the photos on page 4.
