WEYBURN – Veteran music director Colleen Weimer and a large cast of around 65 people are hard at work preparing songs and lines for production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s stage musical, “Oklahoma!” on March 2-5.
The musical will be performed at 7 p.m. each night at Grace United Church, with a special dinner theatre night on March 2.
Members of her daughter Kendra’s singing group, Spirit of Grace, are filling some of the key leading roles, and a number of performers who were seen in the show, “All Shook Up”, are a part of the chorus.
Jyllian Payak will play the part of Lori, and Donald Alexander is Curly, who are one of the couples, while Brittney Barber is Ado-Annie, and Camden Husband is Will Parker. The other lead character, Aunt Eller, is played by D’Arcy Megenbir.
Weimer staged this well-known musical twice in her career as music director at the Weyburn Comp School, in 2001 and again in 2012.
She noted that Megenbir’s oldest daughter performed in the 2001 production of Oklahoma, and her other daughter was in the 2012 production, and both played the same role that D’Arcy is playing this year.
Two performers, Shauna Stewart and Melissa Renz, were also part of Weimer’s cast at WCS the first year they staged the musical.
Other well-known performers include Steve Zackrisson, Brinlee Klapak as Gertie, twins Tauren and Emerson Jack sharing the role as Judd Fry, and Mason Sidloski as the peddler’s son.
Kendra Gonczy is looking after the costumes for the show (and is a part of the chorus), and Donna Klein is the set designer.
“It’s a great story, and takes place in 1906 as Oklahoma was becoming a state,” said Weimer, noting many well-known songs are a part of the show, like “What a Beautiful Morning”, “Oklahoma” and “The Farmer and the Cow Man”, to name a few.
“It’s a really good fit for us with the teens,” she added, noting she and Brayden Jensen will both be accompanying the songs on the church’s two grand pianos.
“It’s coming along really well. I think people are going to be entertained and will fall in love with the characters. I’m really happy with how everyone is coming together. The cast is just fun to work with,” said Weimer.
Tickets are available in advance at the church office, or at the door. The dinner, featuring a roast beef supper, will cost $30, or $50 for the dinner and show. The show itself is $20 for adults, $10 for students (age six to 18) and children five and under can get in for free.
