Homecoming Harmony: Picketwire Players' Spectacular Rendition of 'Oklahoma!' Brings Broadway Classic to La Junta Stage
Description: The evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday’s matinee starts at 2:30 p.m. All tickets are $18 and can be purchased at the box office or online. Photo by John Lockhart.
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Homecoming Harmony: Picketwire Players' Spectacular Rendition of 'Oklahoma!' Brings Broadway Classic to La Junta Stage
From the first note that Curly sings to open the show, the audience knows it’s in for a treat. Picketwire Players offer Oklahoma! as their summer musical production. For those who have been a part of Picketwire as players or audience members for the past 56 years, you will understand when I say: watching a classic musical at Picketwire felt like coming home.
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's Pulitzer Prize-winning Oklahoma! is often considered to be the first “musical play”performed on Broadway because the music and dance helped tell the story of American life in the new Midwest territory.
Opening on March 31, 1943, Oklahoma! was a box office hit and ran for an unprecedented 2,212 performances, later enjoying award-winning revivals, national tours, foreign productions and an Oscar-winning 1955 film adaptation.
Picketwire’s version is directed by Tracey Salzbrenner – her 15th play directed at La Junta’s community theatre. According to vocal director Dean Reese, “As always, I marvel at Tracey. She’s in such command of the whole production.” He went on to say, “We’ve been waiting till this year to have this cast. There is so much talent up there that it made my job easier.”
And, talent there is – in abundance. Jonathan Colson as romantic lead Curly McLain is in his first musical. Yet, he dominates the stage like a pro. His voice takes over the building with all the familiar songs we’ve come to know and love.
His romantic counterpart, Laurey, is played by Emma Bryant. She is new to the Picketwire stage also. In fact, she is visiting her grandmother in Las Animas this summer and decided to audition. Ms. Bryant is pursuing a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in musical theatre. As someone commented, “She is the full package. She can sing, dance and act.”
Other voices of note are the incredible sopranos who highlight so many of the songs, including the difficult harmony in “Out of My Dreams”: Bethany Taullie, Kaydence Salazar, and Heather Pidcock-Reed.
The other romantic couple is played by Bethany Taullie as Ado Annie and Noah Nunez-Rebel, who plays Will Parker. The maturity and talent of these young actors grow with each year. Ms. Taullie embodies the flirty, indecisive Ado Annie perfectly. Her amazing soprano can sell a comedic song such as “I Can’t Say No“ as well as the sweet notes of “Out of My Dreams”. People will remember her Ado Annie for years. Both Ms. Taullie and Mr. Nunez-Rebel can dance up a storm as well.
This production dual cast Aunt Eller. Played on alternate days by Darlene Blackford and Bonnie Grossen. These veteran actresses are so much fun to watch as each brings her own individual spin to the character. You almost believe that they are the pioneer elder imploring everyone to behave.
Rodgers and Hammerstein characters are historically layered in complexities. For example, the hero does not always act heroically. And, the “bad guy” is often misunderstood or just doesn’t fit in with the rest of the community. In Oklahoma! that character is Jud Fry. It takes a good, seasoned actor to play this tragic figure. Tom Seaba brings another stellar performance to Jud’s character. His rendition of “Lonely Room” is poignant. Through this song, he dreams of the life he wishes he could lead. His wish for a better life echoes Laurey’s dream sequence of a life she wishes she would choose.
The dancing in this musical is incredible. Thanks to choreographers Rena Ruiz and Desiree Goheen. Their featured dancers are Maddie Jones, Fatimah Mirakhor and Rena Ruiz. They are joined by many from the ensemble who are a delight to watch as they move across the stage. I’d like to say a word for the farmers and cowboys. Their singing, dancing, and comedic antics bring great fun throughout the play. It is also fun to see some veteran character actors and ensemble players return for this production: Tim Baublits, Dawn Pollmiller, Judy Hensley and Julie Meiklejohn.
Another bright spot on stage is the set. Designed by Tracey & Cameron Salzbrenner, it was constructed with the help of Assistant Directors Cameron Salzbrenner and Desiree Goheen as well as Scott Goheen, and Light/Sound Technician Zach Zamora. They were aided by the entire cast and crew. From the moment the curtain opens, you feel transported to another time through the set and lighting. There is even a working windmill on stage. The incredible mural was painted by Cody Miell, and an authentic surrey – complete with “fringe on the top” - makes its debut in this production.
Community theatre brings live theatre to our area and enables families to work together throughout the summer. If you look through the program, you will note that many of the singers, dancers, actors, and crew are related. It is joyful to see parents and children acting together. In fact, new stars are born into the McIntyre/Salzbrenner family as Matthew McIntyre acts for the first time and young Carter Salzbrenner sings and dances with the best of the cowboys.
Do not miss this production of Oklahoma! at the Picketwire Center for Performing and Visual Arts in La Junta, Colorado (802 San Juan). The play runs from Thursday, July 11 through Sunday, July 14.
The evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday’s matinee starts at 2:30 p.m. All tickets are $18 and can be purchased at the box office or online: https://www.
Related Content:
Meet the Cast: Picketwire Players Present Rodger and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!
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Photo Gallery by John Lockhart
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