YCHS takes musical trip to ‘Oklahoma!'
March 8, 2007 - In November 1907, the territory called Oklahoma was admitted into the Union, becoming the 46th state.
In celebration of the 100-year anniversary, the Yuba City High School Backlot Theatre will perform the musical “Oklahoma!” beginning this weekend and running to March 25.
“I thought it would be kind of neat to do ‘Oklahoma!' on the anniversary of its becoming a state,” said Linda Vallimont, the play's director.
“Oklahoma!” was the first musical play written by legends of the stage, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The play opened in 1943 and broke all box office records, according to Vallimont.
“It was the first musical comedy to have a plot, a musical score and dances that were necessary to the storyline,” she said.
The plot of the famed musical comedy tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain's (played by Darek Riley) romance with farmer girl Laurey Williams (April Clark). Farmhand Jud Fry (David Duplainter) seeks to disrupt their romance by taking Laurey to a dance. This creates a love triangle between the characters.
“Jud is kind of crazy. Laurey isn't interested but she thinks he's interested in her,” Vallimont said.
Meanwhile, a comedic subplot revolves around cowboy Will Parker (played by both Jeff Ferreira and Allen Wong) and his romance with Ado Annie Carnes (played by both Megan Baucom and Samantha Fix).
“It's a good play with a lot of humor,” Vallimont said.
A full orchestra will accompany the play's performances.
Tickets, at $10 for reserved seating and $16 for non-reserved seating, are available at Posh Decor, 512 B St., Yuba City, or at the high school, 850 B St.
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