A classic Broadway musical will hit the stage in Lockport this weekend, as Curtain Up Productions puts on a version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!”
Rehearsals are wrapping up for the show, which opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and continues through next weekend.
“It is the classic show,” Director Christopher Parada said. “Everybody knows it, whether you’re young or old.”
The musical, written in 1943 by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, is set in the Oklahoma Territory in 1906. The story revolves around cowboy Curly’s romance with farm girl Laurey, and the show includes songs such as “People Will Say We’re in Love,” “Many a New Day,” “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’ ” and the title song, “Oklahoma!”
The musical was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film in 1955.
The Palace show features musical direction by D.J. Pimm and choreography by Peter Schratz.
Behind the scenes, Parada said a lot of work has gone into the sets.
“It’s very big, very detailed,” he said. “The dance numbers are huge.”
For this production, Curtain Up staff traveled to New York City and held auditions for the part of Curly. They hired John Kownacki, a performer who was recently part of the East Coast tour of Cinderella.
It’s the first time the Palace has hired an actor from New York City, Parada said.
During the production, Kownacki has been living in Lockport and teaching at the Palace Theatre’s Performing Arts School.
“He’s very good, (with) a beautiful voice,” Parada said.
The cast also includes Buffalo natives Kelly Jakiel and Steve Copps. Parada said Jakiel has performed at Studio Arena and Artpark and came to Lockport to audition.
“People are traveling to come audition for these shows,” he said. “(Jakiel) heard of the reputation of the theater and the shows we’ve done. ... (The Palace) is starting to take shape of a more respected theater company.”
After “Oklahoma!” finishes its run, the theater has several shows planned. Next season, the stage will play host to productions of “Nunsense,” “Scrooge! The Musical,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Annie Get Your Gun” and the play “You Can’t Take It With You,” Parada said.
“It’s a very comedic season,” he said. “They’re all happy shows, kid-friendly.”
For more information, visit www.lockportpalacetheatre.com or call 438-1130.
Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.
Local News
Related Photos
CITY OF LOCKPORT: 'Oklahoma' comes to Palace Theatre this weekend
- Local News
-
-
WIlson jumps on the 'bin wagon'
Modern Recycling’s upgraded plan has received a warm response some town residents.
The town plans to go from 14-gallon open bins to 65-gallon carts with lids in April. Modern representatives explained the project, put the recycling truck in action and showed of three 32-pound blue and green carts that can withstand 43 mph winds.
The display carts had transparent sides in order to let the residents know the variety of materials that can be recycled. -
Reform agenda touted
Empire State Development Corporation executive Sam Hoyt visited Lockport on Wednesday to tout Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s state budget and government reform plans.
Changing the way the state does business will bring fiscal relief to counties, cities and towns, eventually, Hoyt suggested.
It’s too bad the reforms won’t kick in before municipalities like the City of Lockport begin confronting fiscal crises, Mayor Michael Tucker said in response. -
Tucker: 'Best days lie ahead'
The City of Lockport government is smaller than it was 18 months ago but is in a stronger financial place, Mayor Michael W. Tucker said in his annual State of the City address.
-
Trio of new classes proposed for Newfane
Newfane High School could have three new business courses in the fall, one of which would center on video game design.
-
Municipalities take wait-and-see approach on SPCA funding
The City and Town of Lockport are each withholding payments to the Niagara SPCA, while other Eastern Niagara County towns are taking a wait-and-see approach.
-
Rocky II
Friends of Deputy Craig Beiter of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department plan a benefit on Feb. 26 to raise money to buy and train a new dog for the K-9 Unit.
Beiter’s German shepherd, Deputy Rocky, was killed while on duty in December, and the sheriff’s department is close to getting a replacement. -
Basket Factory closes
The Basket Factory has gone out of business.
The owners, Julie Thompson Riegle and Dawn Thompson, made the difficult decision last Monday and put the sign on the door Tuesday. -
No snow is no problem
Unseasonably warm weather didn’t keep Roy-Hart Winterfest from being a fun day for the families who came out to Roy-Hart Elementary School on Saturday.
More than 500 people attended the third annual festivities, which Gasport Lions Club officials said was a big increase from last year. The halls of Roy-Hart Elementary were filled with vendors, programs and movement as excited children rushed from one activity to another. -
Shovel-ready park has perks
At first glance, the big, orange road sign announcing vacant property on Lockport Road as a “shovel ready certified” building site seems a bit gratuitous.
To companies looking for new places to launch a business, it’s not. The sign in their eyes is a welcome mat, for in three words a community pronounced itself ready, willing and able to make a deal quickly. -
Roy-Hart to play the big stage
A group of local students will be performing this month at Kleinhans Music Hall just before a BPO concert.
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will welcome the Royalton-Hartland High School Mixed Chorus as part of the BPO’s Community Spotlight program on Feb. 19 at Kleinhans in Buffalo. The chorus will perform under the direction of Carolyn Unitas Roos and accompanied by Janice McKinney. - More Local News Headlines
-
WIlson jumps on the 'bin wagon'
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
