‘Oklahoma!’ takes the stage

The performing arts department introduces the spring musical, scheduled to premiere May 6

By Yameen Hameed

<yhameed@hilite.org>

For the spring musical, CHS will be performing “Oklahoma!” the first collaboration between composer Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II (who wrote “The King and I,” “The Sound of Music”).
The 1943 classic, thought to have revolutionized theater, by will be performed on May 6, 7, and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and May 9 at 2:00 p.m., with tickets on sale for $8, $10, $12, and $15.
“It was the first musical where the music really tells the story,” actor and senior Michael “Mickey” Rafalski said.
Rafalski said it was successful enough to help bring about more of its kind.
Director Lamonte Kuskye agreed and said “Oklahoma!” is “iconic American” due to the cowboys and the fact that it premiered during World War II.
According to the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization website, “Oklahoma!” is based on the 1931 play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs. It is a love story between a cowboy Curly (Michael “Mickey” Rafalski) and a farm girl named Laurie (Senior Rebecca Petersen), set in the Native American territory of Oklahoma at the turn of the century during a rivalry between farmers and cowboys of Oklahoma.
“(Curly’s) the lead main role. He is a very bright character, a happy-go-lucky kind of guy,” Rafalski said.
Rafalski said the main conflict is Curly trying to get Laurie to fall in love with him, although it becomes difficult when Jud Fry (Junior Jacob Smith) also falls in love with her at the same time.
“It’s like a constant battle between the two,” Rafalski said.
According to Rafalski, the two characters serve as opposites to each other, with Jud being more “dark and sinister.”
Kuskye said the story goes deeper than that though, with many other small romantic subplots being intertwined, such as the relationship between Will Parker (Senior John Walters) and Ado Annie Carnes (Senior Jenn Maurer).
“Most of (the musical) takes place in the farm. It should be beautiful,” Kuskye said. The set will include a large house, but according to Rafalski, objects will be moved around to work with the changing scenes.
As a musical, “Oklahoma!” features many distinct song selections. According to the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization website, some of the main songs include “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” “I Can’t Say No!” and “All Er Nothin’.”
Rafalski said that as a lead cast member, he has a role in most of the songs. Also, two periods of orchestra classes will be accompanying the singers. Another unique aspect of the musical, Kuskye said is its use of ballet which honors the original tradition of the first production.
“Very often (the ballet sequence) is cut out (by high schools), but we have many trained dancers who can do this, so it’ll be a very cool addition,” he said. The ballet sequence, which occurs during Laurie’s dream, will be done by the ensemble with no spoken or sung words.
“When you’re a dancer, you’re in more numbers than an actor, even though as an actor you need to focus on lines and practice more,” ensemble member and freshman Kari Baker said.
Baker said rehearsals are after school four or five days every week from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
“If we do stay later to work on something, it’s usually until 9:00,” she said.
According to Kuskye, rehearsals have been occurring since the end of February, meaning over two months of practice have been put into it.
Rafalski said, “We work on all of the things separately, but when we put it all together is when it really looks great.”