“Oklahoma!” comes to Westfield Area High School stage

The Westfield Area High School stage has been transformed into 1906 Oklahoma as students prepare to present Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! musical this week.

The play is a classic favorite stage production, featuring memorable tunes like “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” “The Surrey With the Fringe on Top,” “Kansas City,” “People Will Say We’re in Love,” and of course, the famous full cast closing number, “Oklahoma.”

Oklahoma! is set in Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore and tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance with farm girl Laurey Williams. But that’s not the only romance in town! There’s also a love interest between cowboy Will Parker and Ado Annie, a friend of Laurie’s. Ado Annie complicates things a little when she starts spending time with Persian peddler Ali Hakim. Soon, everyone is at a box social, raising money for the new school and more conflicts arise. This time the cowboys and the local farmers square off, while bidding wars erupt between the men over the basket lunches prepared by the ladies.

There’s lots of drama, plenty of tender moments and great music in this full-scale production by the talented singers, dancers, actors, musicians and tech crews at WAHS!

The cast includes Dana Sonnenberg as Aunt Eller; Josh Hart as Curly; Caitlin Connelly as Laurey; Zane Kittelson as Ike Skidmore; Bryce Connelly as Fred; Spencer Cuff as Slim; Matt McGrath as Cord Ellam; Ross Dahlke as Tom; Chase DeRosier as Jess; Austin Knapton as Will Parker; Brittany Drewitz as Kate; Taylor Olstadt as Sylvie; Dustin Perrigo as Jud Fry; Brianna Schroeder as Ado Annie; Dustin Steuck as Ali Hakim; Shay Decker as Gertie Cummings; Amanda Rice as Vivian; Caitlin Wagner as Ellen; Belle Roberts as Aggie; Alexis Drew as Armina; and David Shuma as Andrew Carnes. Chorus members are Cajla Gbedey, Alissa Drew, Ambre Abitz, Emily Clay, and Ashley Grimmenga.

The orchestra includes Emily Clay, Bethany Bowen, Heather Deery, Hannah Mades, Ashley Daye, Timmlyn Schroeder, Jenna Hufford, Amanda Drew, Hailey McLaughlin, Sarah Featherston, Isaac Mades, Addy Mittelstedt, Kaylin Winkelman, Paige Peschel, Sarah Virch, Jessica Abbott, Alex Klapoetke, Cordell Maas, Austin McCartney, Sara Comstock, Cortney Runnels, Mr. Dan Steward, Brett Mittelstedt, Dustin Dolgner, Amy VanNatta, Taylor Krueger, Jesse Frozene, Hannah Switzer, Mr. James Hamilton, Mrs. Lori Temanson.