Photos from West Hartford Community Theater's Production of Oklahoma
The West Hartford Community Theater just wrapped up their very successful production of Oklahoma. The play ran from November 19th to the 22nd with almost sold out crowds each night. The cast included forty area residents and a twenty-one piece orchestra.
Here are some photos provided by the West Hartford Community Theater:
A full cast list is below.
| Curly McLaine | Chris Cobb Olsen* | Chalmers | Blake Randall |
| Laurey Williams | Katie Meagher | Mike | Keith Giard |
| Will Parker | Bruce La Roche | Joe | Matthew Goetz |
| Ado Annie | Catherine Joseph | Sam | Kevin Grimm |
| Aunt Eller | Kayzie Rodgers | Jess | Larry Sidney |
| Jud Fry | S. Adam Granato | Rob | Rob Thornton |
| Ali Hakim | Salvatore Uccello | Dream Laurey | Rebecca DeNies |
| Andrew Carnes | S. Porta | Kate | Rachel Oremland |
| Gertie Cummings | Ilanna Tariff | Ellen | Julie Levine |
| Ike Skidmore | David Coleman | Vivian | Karen Finnegan |
| Cord Elam | Mitchell Hess | Virginia | Jennifer Vickers |
| Fred | Nick D'Agostino | Soloist 1 | Fran Kreigenhofer |
| Slim | Lee Helwig | Soloist 2 | Gretchen Sausville |
Ensemble
Caitlin Becker, Molly Behan, Lisa Camargo, Joan Delaney, Ian Enders, Charlie Gfeller, Karen Finnegan, Nicole Hostettler, Fran Kreigenhofer, Julie Levine, Rachel Oremland, Wally Phelps, Brittany Thornton, Kristin Thornton, Gretchen Sausville, Alexandra van der Hulst, Nancy A. Ritter van der Hulst, Jennifer Vickers
Dancers
Women: Caitlin Becker, Molly Behan, Erica Bunger, Jennifer Bunger, Emily Camargo, Lisa Camargo, Rachel Oremland, Felicia Poretsky, Brittany Thornton, Kristin Thornton, Alexandra van der Hulst
Men: Nick D'Agostino, Keith Giard, Kevin Grimm, Lee Helwig, Mitchell Hess, Matthew Goetz, Blake Randall, Larry Sidney, Robert Thornton
Connecticut Concert Ballet Dancers: Sara Clarke, Marie Manero, Bridget Oei, Theresa Oei, Ari Rossetti, Cassie Rudolph, Katelyn Silverwatch
Featured Dancers
Women: Erica Bunger, Jennifer Bunger, Emily Camargo, Felicia Poretsky, Brittany Thornton, Kristin Thornton, Nancy A. Ritter van der Hulst
Men: Nick D'Agostino, Mitchell Hess, Robert Thornton
| Producer | Maria Librio Judge |
| Director | Jared Towler |
| Music Director | Emmett Drake |
| Choreographer | Jana Rumbaugh |
| Artistic Director | Bruce La Roche |
| Stage Manager | Mary Corwin |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Faithlyn Johnson |
| Set Design | Peggy Messerschmidt |
| Set Construction
|
Master Carpenters: Peggy & Fritz Messerschmidt, Greg Sommers & Kevin Grimm
Other Assistants: Nick, Joan, Katie, Pamela Andross & Brian, Mary, Fran, Karen, Larry, Keith, Carly, Susan, Ann Randall |
| Sound Designer | Gèneva B. Conaway Bennison |
| Lighting Designer | Adam Schwartz |
| Costumes | Aurora Montenero, Renee Purdy, Gretchen Sausville, Kristin Thornton |
| Tickets | Sherri Brown, Bruce La Roche, Lee Helwig |
| Advertising | Bruce, Lee, Matt, Maria, Lisa, Karen |
| Technical Crew | Micah Barshay |
| Volunteers
|
Pam Andross, Garra Brooke, Robin Brennan, Melissa Brown, Stephen Cowell, Debra DiBella, Kelley Donahue, Caraline Judge, Will Judge, Jo-Ann Librio, Frank Librio, Tracy Steinberg-Healy, Aaron Wright |
Orchestra
Alma Macbride
Rachel Maclary
Marisa Giglio
Dan Liptak
Aaron Jackson
Logan Bean
Ken Bell
Dave Julian
Andy Ho
Matt Jenetopulos
Jonathan Joo
Gunnar Moll
Mike Petit
Suzanne Witt
Robert Lindauer
Nathan Kwak
Raffi Boden
Kaila Piscitelli
Sean Pallatroni
David Spitzer
Joe Ganci
Emmett Drake
Links:
West Hartford Community Theater
6 Responses to “Photos from West Hartford Community Theater's Production of Oklahoma”
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It was an absolutely fabulous, entertaining production! I really enjoyed it. Congratulations on all of your hard work! It was great to hear all of those familiar themes once again. Congratulations to my Jenny on her first production! I'm looking forward to what next season has to offer!
OKLAHOMA! …More than O.K. It Was GREAT!
West Hartford & Oklahoma have a lot to be proud of this year. Oklahoma celebrated its 102nd year as a state on November 16, and from November 19 -22, West Hartford Community Theater produced the most entertaining and professional revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic, Oklahoma! that this reviewer has ever seen. Even more powerful than last year’s superlative production, this year’s show was worthy of a professional stage. The crowds were overflowing on Sunday, and along with myself, they were swept away by the exuberant performances of the 40 member ensemble. This year’s show was SAF on steroids!
The 21 piece orchestra was expertly conducted by Emmett Drake. With a score that simply melts all your troubles away, their performance was almost flawless and definitely Broadway worthy.
Chris Cobb Olsen, playing the male lead of Curly McClain delivered a wildly realistic and professional interpretation of the cowboy, with acting skills most professional theaters would die for. His voice was clear, crisp and pleasing. A couple of pitchy notes did not detract from his overall exceptional performance. The chemistry with his onstage love, Laurey Williams, played by Katie Meagher, was both real and enchanting. Katie’s voice was flawless and this reviewer was mesmerized every time
she began to sing. Katie is a graduate of The Hartt School, and it shows.
The founder of West Hartford Community Theater, Bruce La Roche, played the role of Will Parker brilliantly. His gorgeous voice, spectacular dancing, along with his trick roping and incredible comic timing stole the show. The woman next to me whispered in my ear, “He should be on Broadway”, and I agree. It was a treat to watch La Roche & his love interest, Ado Annie, played by Catherine Joseph, cuddle & kiss. Joseph was indeed a “Girl Who Cain’t Say No”. She mastered the lovable, flirtatious character and her voice was very well trained and a pleasure to listen to. Together, the pair should team up and go on tour.
The role of Jud was portrayed by S. Adam Granato. Although short in stature and a very petite man, Granato controlled the stage while on it and performed the role in a most menacing and disturbing manner, as it was meant to be. An overall excellent performance. Other cast members included, Ali Hakim (the peddler man), played by Sal Uccello and Aunt Eller, played by Kayzie Rogers. Each put forth wonderful performances that brought lots of laughter to the faces of the audience members. The dance numbers were superbly choreographed and made the audience feel as if they were part of the celebration.
The dance number in Kansas City was almost flawless and the ho-down in The Farmer & The Cowman was a treat. The choreography was masterfully created by Jana Rumbaugh, a new face to West Hartford Community Theater, and one that we hope to see again very soon.Another highlight of the show, and there were so many, was the addition of the Connecticut Concert Ballet, who performed the Dream Ballet at the end of Act I. They were simply enchanting. Other stand outs in the cast were S. Porta as Andrew Carnes and Mitchell Hess as Cord Elam. Porta was hysterical as Ado Annie’s father and Hess was “spot on” as Elam.
Bravo to this theater company for bringing West Hartford residents & the surrounding towns live Broadway musicals where adult and kids put forth amazing performances. And for those of you that missed this show…too bad…but don’t miss it next year! Cheers!
Jane M. Stephens, November 24, 2009
Chris Cobb Olsen appeared at the courtesy of Actors Equity
Chris Cobb Olsen appeaeds at the courtesy of Actors Equity
Chris Cobb Olsen appeaeds at the courtesy of Actors Equity
Chris Cobb Olsen appeared at the courtesy of Actors Equity