Audiences “Can’t Say No” to GHS Theatre’s Oklahoma!

The GHS Theatre Department opened their spring musical, Oklahoma!, this past weekend, and audiences are raving.

Many teachers had the opportunity to see the show before students at the parents and teachers preview night the Thursday before opening night.

“The GHS theatre department has a habit of performing great shows. I try to make it to one performance of each of their shows,” science teacher Zachary Geiger said.  “I loved the final number of the show, ‘Oklahoma’. The singing was energetic and the dancing was crisp,” he said.

Science teacher Julie Hahm also had a moment that stood out to her.

“I have always loved this musical and my favorite scene has always been ‘The Farmer and the Cowman.’ The song makes me smile and watching the cast perform it didn’t disappoint. I was really enjoying Curly and Mr. Carnes prepping to fight each other,” she said.

One of the amazing things about watching live theatre is that you can be transported to another world, and sophomore Jake Peterson felt just that.

“I know many people in the show and I wanted to show my support for them.  My favorite part was the dream sequence because it seemed like I wasn’t at a high school musical, but I was instead actually there experiencing it,” he said.

Several other students filled the auditorium to support their friends and classmates.

“I saw the show because many of my friends were a part of it, and it sounded like a really fun show this year,” junior Anna Turdo said.

As far as talent goes, everyone who has seen Oklahoma! agrees that it is bountiful here at GHS.

“I really liked the singing and the dancing. Everyone was so good, and it was fun to watch everyone enjoying being on stage,” Turdo said.  “I didn’t really have a favorite part because I thought the entire show was amazing.”

Hahm enjoys being able to see the many talents her students posess.

“You see these students every day but you don’t realize the talent that they have until you watch the show,” she said.

Those who haven’t yet gotten a chance to see Oklahoma! are strongly encouraged to do so.

“I would absolutely recommend seeing the show,” Geiger said.  “The cast was very talented and they are obviously supported by a strong group of students off-stage in the pit orchestra and crew.”

Turdo agrees that to not experience a performance of this classic musical would be to miss out on a wonderful opportunity.

“I would recommend this show to everyone! The acting, singing, and dancing was all so good, and it was very entertaining,” she said.

There are two more chances to see Oklahoma! before it closes.  The show will run this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults and can be bought online or at the door.

“The superb musical score and fabulous dance numbers of Oklahoma! were executed with passion, precision and charisma.  ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!’ filled my heart with sunshine to last the weekend through, and the seamless scene transitions were made as if by magic,” english teacher Heidi Siegrist-Ragan said.  “I thoroughly enjoyed every note, step and technical detail.  Thank you, all, for such a theatrical treat!”