Oklahoma! @ Eastern Regional High School

Beneath the beautiful mornin' sunshine is a tale of tension, love, and secrecy. Eastern Regional High School's production of Oklahoma! captures the good old farm life beautifully.

Oklahoma! is the first show written by the famous duo Rodgers and Hammerstein. It opened on Broadway in March of 1943 and closed after 2,212 performances. Based on Lynn Rigg's 1931 play Green Grow the Lilacs, the story follows charming cowboy Curly McLain and frightening farmhand Judd Fry in their attempts to win farmgirl Laurey Williams over. Set against the backdrop of the Oklahoma Territory, the show explores themes of love, jealousy, and the conflicts between the old way of life and the changing future.

The cast of Eastern Regional High School's production of Oklahoma! effectively utilized the set and tech elements to add a heap of charm to the production. Their captivating ensemble of actors' vocals were unmatched, as was their engaged energy throughout the show, truly bringing the story to life.

Andrew Rickey, who portrayed Curly, continuously brought light to the stage and story. He truly shined vocally in the songs "Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'" as well as "People Will Say We're in Love," where he shared the stage with his co-star Emerson Riley, who played the stubborn farmgirl, Laurey. Riley stole the hearts of the audience's with her honey-sweet vocals and perfectly captured Laurey's independent yet sensitive personality. It was a pleasure to see Laurey and Curly's growing chemistry progress throughout the show, with every note and glance building their relationship to its joyful conclusion.

Luke Hoffmaster, who played Ali Hakim, developed wonderful characterization as the peddler. He never failed to make the audience laugh with his zany movements and amazing character voice. Chase Prowisor, who portrayed Will Parker, had outstanding energy and amazing chemistry with his scene partners. His number "Kansas City" was engaging and so fun to watch and the tap portion was also very well executed for all involved, showing off not just the dancing, but the enthusiasm and character of Will.

The ensemble of Oklahoma! truly shone throughout the production. In "Dream Sequence," featuring Daveigh Stewart as Dream Laurey, the cast wonderfully created Laurey's dream through their delicate motions and amplified emotions displayed through their facial expressions. The cast's classic Broadway vocals shone through in the song "Oklahoma", leaving the audience with a sense of joy and satisfaction.

The technical aspects of the show were also very memorable and brought the whole show together. The orchestra was absolutely wonderful and sounded professional, providing a rich, full sound that elevated every moment of the show. These students did an amazing job keeping appropriate pacing and volume throughout the show, ensuring the balance between music and dialogue was seamless. The stage crew also did a phenomenal job moving sets on and off the stage in record time, all while being completely unnoticeable. All of these elements tied every aspect of the show together in harmony, creating an engaging experience for the audience.

The cast and crew of Oklahoma! did an excellent job bringing this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical to life. Through its balanced harmonies, lively dances, and witty jokes, the cast of Eastern Regional High School's production of Oklahoma! makes sure you "Cain't Say No" to seeing their amazing production.