[NEohioPAL]Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA! opens at Porthouse Theatre

[emadden]

Rodgers and Hammerstein=92s Grand Musical OKLAHOMA! opens July 25th  at 
Porthouse Theatre

Cuyahoga Falls, OH =96 Rodgers & Hammerstein=92s musical comedy, OKLAHOMA! tells 
of fun, love and romance in the lives of families living in the Oklahoma 
territory at the turn of the century.  Porthouse Theatre presents this musical 
treat July 25th through August 10th.  Opening night, July 26th is followed by 
a complimentary champagne reception.  OKLAHOMA! is directed by Terri Kent, 
artistic director of Porthouse Theatre and choreographed by John R. Crawford, 
producing director of Porthouse Theatre. A free pre-show, referred to as =93The 
Greenshow=94 begins one hour prior to every performance, and will feature the 
Young Professional Company of Porthouse Theatre under the direction of MaryAnn 
Black.  The group will perform song, dance and folklore of the Wild West and 
pioneer life.

=09The year 2002 marked Richard Rodgers=92 centennial celebration.  Earlier this 
year, Porthouse received an inspiring letter from Mary Rodgers, the daughter 
of the legendary Richard Rodgers, praising Porthouse for reviving the 
well-loved classic. =93My father adored musical theatre.  He loved to tell good 
stories, and he especially loved the way they could be told through a potent 
combination of music, lyrics, dialogue and dance,=94 writes Mary Rodgers.   =93For 
my father, the ultimate collaboration was between the people doing the show, 
and the people they were doing it for.=94
        Based on the 1931 Broadway play GREEN GROW THE LILACS by Lynn Riggs, 
OKLAHOMA! tells the tale of a two men, a cowboy named Curly and Jud, the 
brooding farmhand, rivaling for the affections of lovely farm girl, Laurey . 
The love triangle is set amidst a rural environment dominated by the rivalry 
between cattlemen and farmers during the turn of the century in the Indian 
territory.

=09=93This show transcends time and place.  It reminds audiences of the true 
American dream - land, family, community and love,=94 said, Director, Terri  
Kent. =93 Rodgers and Hammerstein are known for their songs of hope =96 and in 
today=92s world, a world complicated by terrorism and war, Oklahoma! opens our 
hearts to the simpler world of the past.  A world where hope and love are the 
most important things.=94 
The cast includes:
 
Kaitlyn Black+ (Dream Laurey/Ensemble) of Munroe Falls, OH
MaryAnn Black* (Ado Annie) of Munroe Falls, OH
Cole Burden+ (Ensemble) of Rome, GA
Lauren Champlin+ (Ensemble) of Cincinnati, OH
Rosario Costanzo* (Ali Hackam) of Magadore, OH
Kayce L. Cummings* (Laurey)of Columbus, IN
Mitchell Fields* (Andrew Carnes)of Beachwood, OH
Joshua C. Gordon+ (Slim/Dream Curly) of Kent, OH
Lissy Gulick* (Aunt Eller) of Cleveland Hts., OH
Katrice Monee Headd+ (Ensemble) of Kent, OH
Nicholas Horton+ (Ensemble) of Cincinnati, OH
Andrew Hubacher+ (Ensemble) of Berea, OH
Lisa Kuhnen+ (Ensemble) of Lakewood, OH
James Love (Curly) of Cleveland Hts., OH
Sarah Lyon (Gertie) of Massilon, OH
Laura Miller+ (Ensemble) of Akron, OH
Rick Montgomery (Cord Elam) of Akron, OH
Chivas Perkins (Ike Skidmore) of New Orleans, LA
Daniel Puck+ (Ensemble) of Berea, OH
Michael Sherman (Judd) of Cincinnati, OH
Kelly R. Simmons+ (Ensemble) of Chadds Ford, PA
Eric van Baars* (Will Parker) of Kent, OH
Eli Zoller+ (Ensemble) of Ann Arbor, MI

* Denotes members of the Actor=92s Equity Association
+ Denotes members of Porthouse Theatre=92s Young Professional Company


=09Tickets prices range from $15 - $22, depending on the day of the week.  
Special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, seniors and 
students. Reserve tickets by calling 1-800-304-2363 or 330-672-2497.  
OKLAHOMA! runs July 25th - August 10th with performances at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday 
through Saturday, and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Sunday, July 27th is currently 
Standing Room Only.
=09=09=09=09
Porthouse Theatre, founded in 1971, is the premier summer theatre in Northeast 
Ohio.  Set on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, 1145 Steels Corners Road, 
Cuyahoga Falls, Porthouse offers audiences the finest in professional summer 
theatre.  The comfortable 500-seat, outdoor, covered pavilion theater is 
located next to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  Audience members are 
encouraged to arrive early to picnic on the grounds, or guests can reserve 
space in the Thornbury picnic pavilion for a minimal charge.  Boxed dinners 
are also available for $9.  A full menu can be found at 
http//www.theatre.kent.edu/porthouse/Tickets/menu.htm .

=09Porthouse Theatre is a cultural service of Kent State University and is a 
member of the Akron Area Arts Alliance.  Porthouse Theatre=92s programs and 
activities are made possible in part by funding from the Ohio Arts Council.
=09Follow Your Heart To Porthouse Theatre in 2003!

Elisabeth Madden
Managing Director
School of Theatre & Dance
Porthouse Theatre
330-672-0103
emadden at kent.edu