Oklahoma! MusicicalComing To Tinnin Center

Apr 14, 2015

Center Stage and the Three Rivers College Music Department present the lively musical Oklahama! at 7 p.m. April 16-18 and 2 p.m. April 19 at the Tinnin Center on the Three Rivers Campus in Poplar Bluff.

Tickets are just $10. They can be purchased in advance at the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce and the Three Rivers Financial Services Office. Tickets also will be sold at the door.

With Rodgers and Hammerstein’s timeless music, Oklahoma! celebrates the vigor of America’s pioneering spirit with memorable music, boot-stomping dancing, romance, comedy and action.

Set in Western Indian Territory just after the turn of the century, the high-spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the colorful background against which Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, play out their love story.

The music features such memorable tunes as “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “Kansas City,” “People Will Say We’re In Love,” “I Cain’t Say No,” “Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” and the title song “Oklahoma.”

This is the first collaboration of Center Stage, Three Rivers College’s blended community/student theater company directed by Tim Thompson, and the college’s Music Department, led by Cindy White.

Oklahoma! is certain to entertain and impress,” Thompson said. “The musical really highlights the great talent we have at Three Rivers and in the community.”

Thompson said Oklahoma! has been a crowd-pleaser since it debuted in 1943 and the musi and story remain fresh today.

“What I love about this musical is that there is a little bit of everything,” Thompson said. “You have romance, action, comedy, and danger. It really does have something for everyone. It’s something you can bring the whole family to.”

The cast includes Kathy Richardson, Alex Mitchell, Mara McClintock, Ryan Humphrey, Kevin Harbison, Mia Gayle, Michael Starnes, Mike Malone, Tierra Higgins-McDonald, Abigail Reed, Micaela Griffin, Tres Hampton, Jeff Kropp, Cheyenne Wood, Cory Jenson, Joseph Nobert, Meg Simmons, Alexis Jarvis, and Michaela Tomlinson.

The Chorus includes Ashley Floyd, Sarah Joiner, Jerica Tate, Gaelle Freer, Jane Worley, Ramona Baker, Jessica Beal, Madison Devault, Meagan Greer, Brett Russell, Brandon Sindle, Megan Slayden, Audrey Smith, Kolby Sowell, and Roxanne Ward.

Children’s Chorus Members are Emma Reeves, Lauren Robertson, Sara Baker, Abby Murphy, Ben Casey, Grace Sepulvado, and Olivia Goodrich.

Members of the Oklahoma Orchestra are Audrey Eldreth, Erin Lauters, Shelby Oliver, Gabe Waters, Tony Nowell, Pamela Howard Becker, Donald Falk, Ruth Garner, Jeremy Frasier, James Eldreth, A.J. Berger, Jim Hale, Brooks Propst, Casey Julian, Gary Davis, William White, Allison Statler, Ahmad Robinson, Cole Bearden, and Gabe Waters.

Director for this production of Oklahoma! Is Tim Thompson, Cindy White is music director /conductor, and Sherri Mitchell is costumer/vocal coach. Members of the production crew are Robert Abney, scenic design; Brittney Beers, lighting; and Jon Abney, sound.

Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.