Oklahoma! is a Huge Hit

The Middle School put on its first major musical production, and Oklahoma! was a huge success. Despite rescheduling because of bad weather, the cast performed to three sold-out auditoriums on Friday, Saturday, and Monday nights.
Rodgers & Hammerstein's first collaboration remains, in many ways, their most innovative, having set the standards and established the rules of musical theatre still being followed today. Set in a Western Indian territory just after the turn of the century, the high-spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the colorful background against which Curly, a handsome cowboy played by Quinn B., and Laurey, a winsome farm girl played by Sydney P., play out their love story. Although the road to true love never runs smooth, with these two headstrong romantics holding the reins, love’s journey is as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road. That they will succeed in making a new life together we have no doubt, and that this new life will begin in a brand-new state provides the ultimate climax to the triumphant Oklahoma!
 
Students, teachers, and parents worked hard to make this show a great success. Auditions began at the end of October with call backs and casting in the first week of November. The cast rehearsed three days per week from November through February. Students also participated in set building and other technical aspects of the production.
 
Mollie Williams ’82, Middle School Assistant Head and Drama Teacher, stated, “the after school musical has offered students the opportunity to go deeper in their craft, and work with a variety of students, teachers, and parent volunteers. Not only has this new offering enhanced the drama program, but it has been an all school community building experience. We are so proud of all involved.”
 
Thank you to Ms. Tantau, our chorus director and drama instructor; Betsey Hobelmann ’87, the director; Cristina Niccolini, costume designer; Alexa Conway, choreographer; Owen Rossi, lighting/ sound; Sandry Sachar stage crew/ set leader; Mr. Babcock; Mrs. Williams; and the many parents who helped supervise behind the scenes.

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Calvert School is a coed independent lower and middle school.

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