‘Oklahoma!’ at the Center Theatre is a delight
DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Center Theatre for the Performing Arts and Slightly Off-Center Players community theatre group launched their production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” on May 9. The audience on opening night was delighted by the local cast and live band bringing the classic American musical to life.
The show at the Center Theatre features a cast of 25, directed by Ashley Gosselin and led by Rebecca Wentworth as Laurey, Gray Farmer as Curly, Alana Casinelli as Ado Annie, Matt Cary as Will Parker, Chelle Atwater as Aunt Eller and Gunner Tenan as Judd Fry. The entire cast and ensemble contributes to some rousing numbers including songs familiar to fans of the American musical such as “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” “People Will Say We’re in Love,” and “Oklahoma!” The energetic songs are supported by a pit band of seven performers led by band director Deb Maynard. The vocal direction for the production was by Olga Maselli.
“OKLAHOMA!” — Matt Cary as Will Parker, left, gives an unfriendly look to Axel Carlson as Ali Hakim as Will’s fiancé Ado Annie played by Alana Casinelli looks on. The three are part of the cast of “Oklahoma!” at the Center Theatre for the Performing Arts in Dover-Foxcroft.
According to Patrick Myers, the Center Theatre executive director, this is the first live band that has performed for a Theatre musical in quite some time. “The last live band we had was for Nunsense in 2017,” he said.”We’re thrilled for the support of an anonymous donor who made it possible for us to bring in the band and make this big, beautiful production possible.”
Many theater goers at opening night commented on the vibrant costumes and beautiful scenery. Not only did the Theatre remove 30 seats to make room for the band, they also extended the stage by about 4 feet to accommodate the large cast and set pieces. Derrick Buschmann, the Theatre’s technical director, created a stunning backdrop that brings the wide-open Oklahoma sky onto the Center Theatre stage with brilliant sunrises and, of course, beautiful mornings.
“Oklahoma!” returns for three more shows on Friday the 16th at 7 p.m. and Saturday the 17th at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets for the production range from $6 to $16 and can be purchased by calling the Center Theatre at 207-564-8943, visiting centertheatre.org, or stopping in at the box office at 20 East Main St. in Dover-Foxcroft between the hours of noon and 7 p.m. The production would not be possible without the support of local sponsors including Maine Biosensors; Win Win Thrift Store; the Piscataquis County Ice Arena; Ideal Energy Solutions; Bob’s Farm, Home and Garden and Country View Homestead.
The Center Theatre for the Performing Arts is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to engage and inspire by making arts, education and entertainment accessible to its rural communities.