This year, the high school produced the musical “Oklahoma!” This Western saga draws the audience into watching the intriguing storyline unfold before their eyes. The students, teachers and directors worked for months to prepare for the performance, and their hard work paid off! Countless late nights, rehearsals, memorizations, trial and errors, costumes, set design and dedication to the arts created one of the most memorable nights of the school year!

History:

“Oklahoma!“ was originally produced by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II as their first musical. They based the show on Lynn Riggs’ 1931 play Green Grows the Lilacs, an adaptation of western life in Indian territory, specifically taking place in pre-state Oklahoma. “Oklahoma!” Dives into many complicated love triangles as Laurey William and Ado Annie find themselves both having two suitors. Both women must decide the path that they will take with their lives, both with the men they choose and the opportunities that those men offer. 

Because “Oklahoma!” had a deeper plot, it redefined the label of musical to what is known today. Before “Oklahoma!”, plots were strictly reserved for plays, and musicality was the entirety of a musical’s definition. This play’s integration of music and plot made the world of musicals take on the acting side of storytelling. 

Apart from the love triangles, there is also an underlying plot in “Oklahoma!” between the cowboys and farmers as they commonly find themselves at each other’s throats, disagreeing and brawling many times in the show. 

“Oklahoma!” transformed the musical by mixing plot and music, shaping the genre’s evolution. Its complex characters and themes left a lasting impact on theater, redefining how musicals were created and performed. 

Overview:

“Oklahoma!” tells the story of Laurey Williams, a farm girl who’s stuck deciding between two guys: Curly McLain, a charming cowboy, and Jud Fry, a mysterious farmhand. As Laurey tries to figure out who she wants, the tension between the farmers and cowboys in the Oklahoma Territory grows. Meanwhile, Ado Annie has her love triangle going on with Will Parker, a town favorite, and Ali Hakim, a traveling salesman. Set when Oklahoma was still a territory, the show highlights romance, rivalry and the struggles of a community on the brink of statehood. It’s a fun mix of love, drama and catchy songs that show the spirit of the time.

Behind the scenes:

The cast, crew and directors of the play put in countless hours behind the scenes to produce the show each year. They dedicate extra time at school, rehearsing lines and blocking, and coordinating technical elements such as set design, lighting and sound. The directors guide the actors in bringing their characters to life, while the crew works to ensure every aspect of the production runs smoothly. Their hard work and commitment are essential in creating a successful performance for the audience.

Kylee Peebles, a senior cast member who played the part of Aunt Eller, said, “Tech week is always long, but rewarding. Besides setting the fire alarm off on Tuesday night and having everyone run around being a tired mess, we always tend to have way too much fun.“

Shining stars:

“Oklahoma!” featured strong performances all around, with both the leads and the ensemble working together seamlessly. Dylan Wilson, a senior play member who has always played a key role in productions, acted as Curly, capturing the character’s central role in the story. Anna Jernigan took on the role of Laurey Williams, portraying the character’s emotional turmoil amid decision-making. Jernigan said, “I related to her passion and her susceptibility to get lost in dreams. She was a beautiful role to play, and I will cherish it.”

Peebles brought Aunt Eller to life, offering a steady presence throughout the show. “I’m not usually an emotional individual, but to know that this was my last show made it hard for me to say goodbye. I have had the privilege to participate in the Arts Program for 8 years now, and the bittersweet goodbye that was the end of the show made everything so much more heartfelt,” Peebles said, “I do truly adore every moment of this honor, and I will continue to reflect and memorialize it as a key point in my life. Everyone involved has caused such a positive influence and change that I know I am truly honored to participate in the 2025 CCS production of Oklahoma.”

Payton Young’s portrayal of Ado Annie energized the production, while James Coleman played Will Parker, contributing to the show’s mix of humor and sincerity. Young said, “It was challenging, but also incredibly rewarding… I’m excited to prepare for graduation and college and move forward in general. I am very proud of my work on “Oklahoma!” but I am also very prepared to move forward to the next stage of my life because of the lessons and dedication learned in this production.” Luke Shkavritko brought the comical and controversial character of Ali Hakim to life with his timing and charisma, adding a unique flair to the performance.

Sophomores Sloan Pettus and Brennan Moore also acted as pivotal characters in the plot. Moore played Jud Fry, the somewhat disliked and disturbed character battling for Laurey’s love in the play. Moore did a wonderful job of making the audience both pity and distrust Fry, as he continued to cause problems for the couple. Pettus played Ado Annie’s father, Andrew Carnes. Pettus served as comedic relief amid the drama of the characters’ ever-changing emotions. Pettus and Young both played the Carne family with authenticity and humor!

The lead roles rely and rest upon the work of the ensemble, who support in the songs and dances. They are also vital for creating the environment of the play. The audience is torn between watching the saga unfold before them and watching the characters’ reactions to the moments on the stage.

The crew is another vital component of the play. Without their efforts and willingness, the set and the scenery would not have been nearly as realistic or enveloping. Between scenes, crew members stormed the stage, dressed in flannels and jeans, and not only moved the props, but also added a bit of their acting to the show.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication, oversight and planning of Ali Sanderson, Carmel theater teacher and play director, and Christina McCorkle, the Director of the Arts at Carmel. Both women led the cast members by example, and put in hours upon hours spent prepping, planning, praying and producing a performance that is sure to be remembered. Sanderson states in her director’s notes that “hope for a better future and the desire for strength in community is an overarching theme for the show. […] We are called to be united in our faith to advance the kingdom of God.” Her words sum up the impact that the play has not only on the members who created it, but the community that got to witness it!