Hillbarn Theatre Opens Their 69th Season with OKLAHOMA! on 9/4

Hillbarn Theatre kicks off its 69th season with Rodgers & Hammerstein's legendary musical Oklahoma!, presented September 4th through the 27th. Family is the focus for Hillbarn Theatre's 2009-2010 season, which brings together six lively and entertaining productions under the banner "Next of Kin."

Oklahoma! was Rodgers and Hammerstein's first musical. Among the many awards it has won are The Academy Award in 1955 for the film adaptation, the Lawrence Olivier Award in 1999, and the Pulitzer Prize in 1944.

The musical score includes beloved songs such as People Will Say We're in Love, Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin', The Surrey with the Fringe on Top, and, of course, the rousing title song Oklahoma! The story centers on the high-spirited rivalry between farmers and cowboys and a wonderful love story about the handsome cowboy Curly McLain (played by Tyler Bennett of Hillsborough) and a winsome farm girl, Laurey Williams (played by Paige Cook-Perez of San Mateo). Farmhand Jud Fry (played by Mike Reed of Belmont) has his own plans in mind for Laurey.

Hillbarn Executive Director/Executive Producer Lee Foster says the play is not only fun for the whole family to see, but it also is a production that features many husbands and wives (or other family) working together to create the live theatre experience. Actor's Equity actress Cook-Perez is joined by her husband, veteran actor Steve Perez, who plays Will Parker. Laurey's Aunt Eller is played by Lisa Cross of Hillsborough, whose brother Jerry Cross is a farmer in the show. The ensemble is rounded out with other families including brothers Charlie and Nathan Kruse, both students at Bowditch Middle School; Kathryn Aarons and her father Jerry Aarons; sisters Morgan and Paige Collazo; and Dave, Trevor, and Allison Meacham, who are father, son, and daughter.

Oklahoma! is directed by Foster City native Nancy Fitzgerald-Metzler. Her husband Mark Metzler is handling the sound engineering and operation. Foster's husband, Greg "Suds" Sudmeier, is the Resident Musical Director. Choreography is by Jayne Zaban, co-owner of the respected studio Dance Arts Center. Lee Basham is Resident Set Designer. Lighting designers are Don Coluzzi.

Foster returned to Hillbarn in June. Last spring Hillbarn faced some serious financial woes, but the Board of Directors was able to slash expenses and raise additional funds. They brought back Foster to take over both the artistic and financial aspects of the theatre. Most important to Foster is "to keep Hillbarn's artistic levels at the highest quality."

Oklahoma! opens the new 69th season on Friday, September 4, with the performance followed by an Opening Night Gala prepared by chef Baba Kahn. It will continue through September 27. Tickets range from $17 to $34 and can be purchased either online at hillbarntheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 650-349-6411.

Other plays in the "Next of Kin" season are Robert Harling's STEEL MAGNOLIAS (October 23 to November 8), the Sinatra show for the holidays CHRISTMAS, MY WAY (December 4 to December 20), the side-splitter BERMUDA AVENUE TRIANGLE (January 22 to February 7), a CELEBRATION NIGHT, CELEBRATING 70 YEARS sneak peek at the 70th Season (March 11 through March 14), and, to be announced in February, a much adored musical about a Jewish businessman with three daughters (May 7 to May 30).

On Thursday, November 19th, Hillbarn presents its annual BRAVO! Awards which recognizes Bay Area individuals who have made a significant contributions to the arts. This year, Bay Area native Carol Channing and her husband Harry Kullijan will be honored for their state-wide fundraising efforts to keep arts programs in schools. In addition, Keith Kreitman will be recognized for his critical writing about the arts in the San Mateo Times and the San Mateo Daily Journal. This event includes dinner, cocktails, and a special performance by Mrs. Channing. For information, please visit www.hillbarntheatre.org.

"Next of Kin" is a season jam-packed with lively, fun and entertaining shows appropriate for the whole family. Season tickets for six shows range from $96 (for youth 17 and under) to $150 (for Friday nights, including Opening Night Gala). A season subscription of three shows ranges from $48 to $81. Individual tickets priced from $17 to $34 can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 650-349-6411 or by visiting the Web site at www.hillbarntheatre.org. This is a season you don't want to miss!

 

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