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TBT concludes 50th anniversary summer season with ‘Oklahoma!’

Courtesy Photo The cast of Thunder Bay Theatre’s “Oklahoma!” includes Dylan Goike, Emily Samuelson, Erica Werner, Lucas Moquin, Kiko Laureano, Adrian Rochelle, Kevin Stoffel, David Usher, Madison Deadman, Riley McManus, Caleb Richards, Christian Sanchez, Emilio Canals, Ryan Heath, Brigid Broderick, Caileigh Nitchman and Mady Young.

Courtesy Photo
The cast of Thunder Bay Theatre’s “Oklahoma!” includes Dylan Goike, Emily Samuelson, Erica Werner, Lucas Moquin, Kiko Laureano, Adrian Rochelle, Kevin Stoffel, David Usher, Madison Deadman, Riley McManus, Caleb Richards, Christian Sanchez, Emilio Canals, Ryan Heath, Brigid Broderick, Caileigh Nitchman and Mady Young.

It’s no coincidence that Thunder Bay Theatre ends its 50th anniversary summer season with a familiar throw-back blockbuster, the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, “Oklahoma!” The show opens today for a three-week run.

“We really tried this summer to select shows befitting a 50th anniversary celebration,” said TBT Artistic Director Jeffrey Mindock. “It’s a great way to end the season.”

The theater last presented “Oklahoma!” in 1993, and has chosen this time around to stay true to the original material.

“We’re telling the story pretty much as is,” Mindock said. “Lots of times we like to explore different concepts, but with ‘Oklahoma!,’ it’s so good we don’t need to ‘mess’ with it.”

The show first opened on Broadway in 1943 and was a box office smash hit, running for 2,212 performances. Rodgers and Hammerstein won a special Pulitzer Prize for their work in 1944.

At TBT, audiences will get to see the same core company they have enjoyed for the previous two summer shows, “Addams Family” and “West Side Story.”

“It’s a chance to see them one last time before they go their separate ways,” said Mindock of the professional core company members who will be leaving at the end of the season.

Among those cast in the production are hometown favorite and Central Michigan University musical theater major Dylan Goike in the lead role of Curly. Playing opposite him as Laurey is Emily Samuelson. Lucas Moquin appears as Will Parker, Ericka Werner as Ado Annie and Adrian Rochelle as Jud Fry.

David Usher, another seasoned local performer, returns to the TBT stage as well as Andrew Carnes.

Besides the professional actors on staff, the show features a number of Alpena High School Masquers Club members, who have been involved at TBT for a number of years. “Oklahoma!” provides another opportunity for them to perform in a professional setting.

“We do a have a mix of core and local high school performers, so I am excited about the opportunity for the students to continue to grow and learn,” Mindock said.

He’s also enthused with what he sees as more depth to the show than he originally assumed.

“One of the most exciting things we’ve been discovering through rehearsals is that there’s a lot more than meets the eye with ‘Oklahoma!’ It’s not just the big ballads and comedy that we remember, but there’s a great amount of depth and complexity in each of the characters and their stories,” he said. “That being said, it is still lighthearted family-friendly fun.”

Besides such familiar tunes as “O, What a Beautiful Mornin,'” “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” “Kansas City” and “People Will Say We’re in Love,” TBT’s production features a fully realistic farmhouse on the set.

Performances of “Oklahoma!” are July 26-Aug. 13 with show times at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

There is no performance scheduled for this Saturday from 6-9 p.m., however, as the TBT company will be giving one last performance of “West Side Story” at the Bay View Park Bandshell. The special outdoor showing is part of the Truth North Radio Network’s Summer Concert Series.

Also on Saturday after “West Side Story” is another of TBT’s Late Night Cabaret events. This one will be held at Art in the Loft immediately following the show and will feature songs by core company actors and select community members. A final summer Late Night Cabaret is planned for Aug. 11 at the John A. Lau Saloon.

For reservations to “Oklahoma!” contact the TBT box office at 354-2267 or order tickets online at thunderbaytheatre.com.

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