Musical Theatre West Completes OKLAHOMA! Casting

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer of Musical Theatre West, has announced the cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA!, previewing February 15, opening February 16 at 8pm, and continuing through March 3. Davis Gaines (LA's Phantom of the Opera, Ovation Award winner for Musical Theatre West's Man of La Mancha) makes his Los Angeles-area directorial debut with this production. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, OKLAHOMA! is locally-produced in Long Beach with professional actors from Broadway, national tours, film and television, including the best in local talent.

Principal cast includes Bryant Martin as Curly McLain, Madison Claire Parks as Laurey Williams, Luke Hawkins as Will Parker, Teya Patt as Ado Annie Carnes, Christopher Newell as Jud Fry, Saundra McClain as Aunt Eller, Stephen Grant Reynolds as Andrew Carnes, Steve James Ewing as Dream Curly, Katya Preiser as Dream Laurey, and Amin el Gamal as Ali Hakim. The rest of the cast includes Josh Christoff, Kaylen Danz, Chris Duir, Jenna Gillespie, Christopher Wayne Hamby, Jacob Haren, Blair Hollingsworth, Chris Holly, Will Huse, Ashley Matthews, Madison Mitchell, Whitney Muscato, Ariel Neydavoud, Ramone Owens, Jane Papageorge, Allison Paraiso, Stacey R. Parker, Dylan Pass, Hannah Simmons, Michael Starr, Matthew J. Vargo, and Carly Wielstein.

This year marks the 70th Anniversary of OKLAHOMA! which was the first collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, whose later shows included Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music. Through the story of two cowboys who flirt with and fight for the women they love, OKLAHOMA! changed the face of musical theatre and features the classic songs "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'," "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top," and "People Will Say We're in Love.

The opening weekend of OKLAHOMA! is sold out, and due to overwhelming demand, three performances have been added to the run. OKLAHOMA! previews on Friday, February 15, at 8pm, opens on Saturday, February 16, at 8pm, and continues through Sunday, March 3. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 7pm.

Tickets for OKLAHOMA! are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.musical.org or by phone at 562-856-1999 x4. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Musical Theatre West Box Office located at 4350 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90804 from 12pm to 6pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays. Musical Theatre West performs at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center located at 6200 E. Atherton Street, Long Beach, CA 90815. Tickets start at $20.

OKLAHOMA! is the second show of Musical Theatre West's 2012-2013 60th Anniversary Season. Musical Theatre West's Season Sponsors are the Ackerman Family/Evalyn M. Bauer Foundation and Ken and Dottie Reiner.

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