Willmar Junior High School presents the musical "Oklahoma!" at 7 p.m. today through Saturday and at 1 p.m. Sunday at Willmar Senior High School.
Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for students, and children under 5 will be admitted free. Tickets have been on sale for two weeks and any remaining tickets will be available for one hour prior to each performance at the school.
As Richard Rodger's and Oscar Hammerstein's first collaboration, "Oklahoma!" set the standards and established the rules of musical theater still being followed today.
"Oklahoma!" is based on Lynn Riggs' play, "Green Grow the Lilacs" written in 1931. At the turn of the century in Indian Territory, a young ranch hand, Curly, played by Jay Rasmussen, is infatuated with Laurey, played by Tayva Vollan.
Unfortunately, they are both too proud to admit they love each other. Just to spite Curly, Laurey accepts an invitation to the local dance from the evil Jud Fry, played by Danny Tusa.
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Meanwhile, Will Parker, played by Jonathan Pierskalla, has returned early from his trip to Kansas City. Unfortunately, his girlfriend, Ado Annie, played by Elise Haugen, just can't seem to say no to other men.
Eventually, Curly and Jud duel it out, with Jud ending up falling on his own knife and dying. In the end, Curly and Laurey are married. Likewise, Will and Ado Annie tie the knot, and all is well.
Other main characters include Kassie Boller as Aunt Eller, Paul Benson as Andrew Carnes, Tyler Bakker as The Peddler, Alexis Damm as Gertie Cummings, Shawn Johnson as Cord Elam, Jon Onnen as Ike Skidmore, Jordan Gatewood as Fred, Brandon Zuidema as Slim, Nate Erickson as Joe, Grant deCathelineau as Tom, Derek Baker as Mike, Mallory Loge as Vivian, Carlee Bach as Kate, Ashley Johnson as Ellen, Danica Seifert as Virginia, Elle Stienessen as Dream Laurey, and Dalton Blumhoefer as the preacher.
Other members of the cast are the cowboys played by Shawn Carlson, Matt Glup, Austin Linbo, Nate Mittag, Chris Odens, Austin Rambow, Zach Sowers and Sean Zuidema.
The cowgirls are Katelyn Bohlsen, Karina DeJong, Korryn Flaig, Heather Horning, Cassandra Johnson, Janessa Palmer, Mariah Peterson, Brooke Piepenburg, Izzy Ramirez, Taylor Reinke, Elle Stienessen, Tina Vazquez, Casey Walquist, Alyssa Wyffels and Emily Zondervan.
Playing farmers are Dan Anfinson, Dalton Blumhoefer, Chris Burdorf, Zach Harlan, Jon Hillenbrand, Avery Knight, Zach Mohr, Cory Nellermoe, Tom Nilles-Melchert, Sam Schmitz, Andrew Strom and Matthew Woods.
The farm girls are played by Hannah Anderson, Megan Andresen, Angela Boersma, Erica Cuchna, Hannah Englin, Kendra Hjelle, Kalina Larsen, Amy Larson, Waverly Slette , Courtney Turck and Bethanie Waldemarsen.
The dream dancers are Carlee Bach and Brandon Zuidema, Erica Cuchna and Chris Odens, Hannah Englin and Sean Zuidema, Ashley Johnson and Nate Erickson, Amy Larson and Zach Sowers, Mallory Loge and Cory Nellermoe, Danica Seifert and Shawn Johnson, and Waverly Slette and Matt Woods.
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Members of the crew are Luke Korthuis, Maggie Gauer, Taylor Lippert, Emily Coffield, Kaylynn Irwin and Leah Rueckert.
The production is directed by Tim Cayler and Melissa Wallestad.
