Monmouth Community Players to Present Rodger & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA!

The Monmouth Community Players are excited to present Rodger and Hammerstein's premiere musical collaboration "Oklahoma!" This production is directed by Josie French of Lewiston, musically directed by John Neal of Greene, and choreographed by Melissa Guimond of Auburn. Cindy Dunham of Winthrop is the musicals producer.

Set in the Oklahoma Territory around 1900 just before Oklahoma becomes a state, "Oklahoma!" centers around the love triangle between The Farm girl Laurey Williams (Sarah Flagg of Westbrook), the cowboy Curly McLain (Joshua Oakes of Lewiston), and The Farm hand Jud Fry (John Lipovsky of Monmouth). A second comic love triangle is added to the mix with Ado Annie Carnes (Megan Record of Monmouth), her betrothed, Will Parker (Danny Gay of Westbrook), and a traveling peddler, Ali Hakim (Ray Fletcher of Monmouth). Throw in a headstrong Matriarch, Aunt Eller Murphy (Jeanne Fletcher of Monmouth), a gun-toting Father, Andrew Carnes (Henry Quintal of Augusta), and a rich snobby local gal, Gertie Cummings (Karen Lipovsky of Monmouth), and you know you are in for a good time.

The production is rounded out by a very talented group of singers and dancers from the area. These cast members are: Dan Allard as Ike Skidmore, Bre Allard as Virginia Cummings, Joshua Allard as Little Billy Skidmore, Tim MacLeod as Cord Elam, Shane Stevens as Fred Cummings and Jane Mitchell as Elizabeth McLain, all of Greene; MerEdith Crawford as Ellen Parker from Auburn; Brianna Hull as Nellie Skidmore, Nancy Kenneally as WinniFred Cummings and Charlotte Morin as Vivian Cummings, all of Lewiston; Michael Dolan as Slim Williams, Bill McLean as J.T. Elam and Carol Griffiths as Grace Parker, all of Monmouth; Samantha Dupuis as Kate McLain, Sylvia Ryan as Aggie Elam, Ginger Smith as Mabel Carnes and Cindy Dunham as Ethel Elam, all of Winthrop; Andy Tolman as Mike Cummings and Elaine Katz as Harriet Skidmore, both of Readfield; and Alexa Gallant as Sylvie Carnes and Maya Veilleux as Armina Elam, both of Augusta.

Within the framework of these love triangles, "Oklahoma!" tells the story of a changing society and nation, and a western territory full of optimism in the face of challenges. Musically, "Oklahoma!" presents a delightful array of melodies that have become American classics such as 'Oh, What a Beautiful Morning', 'People Will Say We're in Love', 'Surrey With The Fringe On Top', and the rousing finale, 'Oklahoma!', to name a few.

"Oklahoma!" opens at Cumston Hall on April 21st and continues evening performances at 7:30 p.m. on April 22nd, 28th and 29th. Matinee performances will be presented at 2:00 p.m. on April 23rd and 30th. Tickets are $14 for General Admission and $12 for Students and Seniors. More information concerning this production can be found on MCP's website at www.monmouthcommunityplayers.org, or by calling (800)838-3006.

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