News Release
“Oklahoma!” Hits the Stage in a High-Energy Production
Student and alumni actors took to the stage for a rip-roaring, high-energy western musical as Southern Virginia University’s theatre program performed the historic production of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s “Oklahoma!” on March 7, 8, and 13-15.
“Oklahoma!” follows cowboy Curly McLain and farm girl Laurey Williams as they overcome pride and tension with a violent farmhand to fall in love and establish a life together in the Oklahoma territory before it becomes a new state.
The first of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical productions, “Oklahoma!” made theatre history when it was released in 1943 as the first musical to integrate the music and choreography to further the plot.
“It was the first fully organic, integrated musical, where the book, dancing, costuming, lyrics and music, all seamlessly blend together to tell a cohesive story. It literally invented the modern musical,” said Assistant Professor of Theatre Dallyn Vail Bayles, who directed the production. “‘Oklahoma!’ is a recognized landmark in musical theater history that set Broadway on the course it’s still going today.”
The play not only pushed the boundaries of theatre, but stretched and developed the students who performed in the university’s production. Lily Calderwood (‘27) performed her first lead role as Laurey Williams and grew immensely as an actress while learning to take on the character’s personality.
“I’d say she’s a lot sassier than me. And so it’s been fun to sort of discover a different side of myself and my ability to play her,” said Calderwood. “At first, I was too shy to yell her lines out, but now I’m definitely a lot more comfortable inhabiting her character. And when I’m on the stage, I’m just her.”
Working with both Bayles and Associate Professor of Music Mackenzie Romriell, Jonah Rasmussen (‘27), a bass singer, developed vocally while performing the role of Curly, who has a baritone voice.
“I am the luckiest student actor in the world to be at a place like this where I’m working with such high-caliber professionals to help me,” said Rasmussen. “I have direct access to them, and I’ve spent one-on-one time with both of them, multiple times, learning and understanding my music and understanding my voice and the unique things about my voice.”
Professor Bayles served as the director and co-music director, with Lisa Knudson as rehearsal pianist and co-music director, Jessie Moala as head choreographer, Martha Zimmerman (‘27) as stage manager, and Professor of Theatre David Dwyer as the set designer.
The cast of student and alumni actors is as follows:
Laurey: Lily Calderwood (‘27)
Curly: Jonah Rasmussen (‘27)
Aunt Eller: Gabrielle Atwood (‘25)
Will Parker: Ezekiel Gonzales (‘26)
Ado Annie: Tess McGill (‘27)
Jud Fry: Landon Gumucio (‘28)
Ali Hakim: Thomas Holladay (‘29)
Gertle Cummings: Brianna Gonzales (‘25)
Andrew Carnes: Brea Moore (‘25)
Cord Elam: Talia Merrill (‘25)
Ike Skidmore: Richard Lloyd (‘28)
Slim: Olive Dill (‘27)
Fred: Michael Duay (‘29)
Ellen: Autumn Rich (‘30)
Virginia: Caroline Rasmussen (‘27)
Vivian: Clarissa Sexton (‘27)
Kate: Kinsey Cluff (‘22)