OKLAHOMA! Plays Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center July 15-17, July 22-24

The classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Oklahoma!" takes the stage at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center July 15-17 and 22-24.

The sweet love story of farm girl Laurey Williams and cowboy Curly McClain has been a box office smash for decades. Presented by Liberty Theatre, Lincoln Park's resident professional theatre company, the show marks the debut appearance here of Broadway veteran and Pittsburgh's own Lenora Nemetz as Aunt Eller. "Oklahoma!" is directed by Gavan Pamer.

A native Pittsburgher, Lenora Nemetz has performed her way across the country for the last three decades, starting with her Broadway debut in "Cabaret." A protege of Bob Fosse, Nemetz first came to the attention of New York critics when she replaced Chita Rivera as Velma Kelly in Fosse's production of "Chicago." She went on to create the role of Delores Dante in the Broadway production of "Working," winning a Drama Desk Award nomination. She co-starred with Peter Allen in his one man show "Up in One," both on Broadway and in Los Angeles.

Filling in for Liza Minnelli, Nemetz co-starred with Chita Rivera as Angel in "The Rink." In 2008 Lenora portrayed Miss Mazeppa and Miss Cratchitt in the Tony award winning revival of Gypsy. She made her New York City opera debut in the role of Gladys in the revival of "The Pajama Game." National tours include "Sweet Charity," "Bye Bye Birdie," and "Some Like it Hot." In Pittsburgh, Nemetz has starred in numerous Civic Light Opera, City Theater, and Public Theater productions. Most recently you may have seen Lenora as Sister Robert Anne in Pittsburgh CLO's Nunsense.

Ticket prices are $25, $20 and $15. They may be purchased online www.lppac.org or through the box office, 724.643.9004. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. for Friday and Saturday shows, and 2 p.m. for Sunday matinees.

Principal roles include Cassidi Leigh Parker as Laurey, Nick Carr as Curly, Amber Nicole as Ado Annie, Reed Worth as Will Parker, John Burja as Ali Hakim and Tom Schaller as Jud Fry.

Among those returning Lincoln Park alums is Brad Trump, a member of the Class of 2009. Currently dancing in a national tour of "Cats," Trump said, "I'm really excited to come back and work with Gavan and the crew again." Trump was in last summer's Liberty Theatre production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

A 2007 Lincoln Park graduate, Casey Novak, is performing in both "The Odd Couple" and "Oklahoma." "It's nice to be working with people at the same level and it's nice to see that relationships have lasted. I still feel like I'm part of the family," she said.

Casey Novak will portray Gertie Cummings. Brad Trump is Corky in the show.

Other cast members include Stephen Hohendorf as Sam, Edward Howarth as Maverick, Jimmy Schrecengost as Fred, Kaleb Chesnic as Mike; Jamie Rae Hulick is Virginia, Bethany Menjivar is Lucy, and Alexa Magnotto is Suzie.

David Cary will play Andrew Carnes. Cassie Utt is Ellen, Elliot Schuler is Jess, Krista Shovlin is Armina, Nicole Spencer is Emily, Jennifer Verba is Sylvie and Julia Watson is Aggie.

Damon Spencer will play Cord Elam and Rachel Robinson will play Vivian. Michael Davidson is Slim, Keith William is Jake and Marcus Mars is Chalmers. Others are Rosh Raines as Ike Skidmore, Kenzie Palmer as Kate, Issac Miller as Joe, Lauren Teminsky as Desiree and Mark Tinkey as Tom and Sara Lavin as swing.

Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center is a regional asset for arts education, cultural events and entertainment productions. A $30 million facility opened in 2006, the center hosts the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, a Pennsylvania public school with 525 students in grades 8-12. Students from 52 surrounding school districts study dance, music, musical theater, media arts, creative writing and health art sciences.

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