Digital playbill: Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA!

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s

Music by Richard Rodgers

Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Original Choreography by Agnes de Mille

Based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs

Produce r

SCERA President & CEO

Adam J. Robertson Director

Chase Ramsey

Music Director

Korianne Orton Johnson

Choreographer

Janessa Ramsey

Stage Management

Danielle Berry

Scenic Designer

Chase Ramsey

Costume Designer

Deborah Bowman

Lighting Designer

Elizabeth Griffiths

Properties Designer

Christy Norton

Sound Designer

Audio Engineer

Chase Elison

Scene Shop Manager

Zippy Hellewell

Scenic Carpenters

Zippy Hellewell

Courtney Cook

Victoria Larsen

Ethan Harrison

Carson Severts

Trevor Kroff

Scenic Painters

Faith Sage

Kalicia Moore

Daisy Bailey

Maddie Fontana

Vashti Coray

Olivia Kleven

Brighton Aland

AnnaBelle McKinnon

Stitchers

Deborah Bowman

Kelsey Seaver

Abigail Clay

Electrician

Crysta Lamb

Props Assistants

Kaysie Norton

Megan Bird

Deck Crew

Katie Jeffreys

Followspots

Alathia Burnside

Ethan Harrison

Dance Captain

Nikki Robbins

Fight Choreography

Dylan Burningham

This project is supported by the Utah Arts Council, with funding from the State of Utah and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Curly McLain ......................................................................... JEFF SUNDWALL

Laurey Williams. .............................................. HAILEY BENNETT SUNDWALL

Jud Fry ................................................................................ DANIEL CESPEDES

Aunt Eller .............................................................................. CHARISSE FINCH

Ado Annie Carnes ............................................................ McCALL BRAINARD

Will Parker ...............................................................................TY MCQUISTON

Andrew Carnes ......................................................................... ANDY KELSON

Ali Hakim ................................................................ CLAYTON TROY GUYMON

Gertie Cummings ................................................................ EMMA JOHNSON

Cord Ellam.......................................................................... MARSHALL LAMM

Slim ....................................................................................... KYLE GOODMAN

Ike / Mike. ............................................................................. RYAN GOODMAN

Fred ................................................................................................ NATE HART

Joe / Young Curly ................................................................... JEFFREY LOGAN

Sam ........................................................................................... ELIJAH LYONS

Vivian ............................................................................ CAROLINE CLAWSON

Kate ..............................................................................................JENNA HART

Ellen ....................................................................................... KELSEY HJORTH

Sylvie ........................................................................................ NIKKI ROBBINS

Virginia .................................................................................... EMMA ROLLINS

Young Laurey / Ensemble .................................................... SYDNEY BALSER

Ensemble ............................................. EMILY BAILEY, SHANNON FOLLETTE

MADISON FONTANA, CAMPBELL GORDON

MAILE JACOBSON, LILY KELSON, ELIZABETH KELSON

RUTH LYONS, MARY LYONS, JENNILENE NESS

STELLA PARRY, JACEY LEE ROBBINS

SCENES & MUSICAL NUMBERS

ACT I

Scene 1: The Front Lawn of Laurey’s Farmhouse

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning! ................................................................................ Curly

Laurey’s Entrance ........................................................................................................ Laurey

The Surrey With the Fringe On Top. .................................. Curly, Laurey & Aunt Eller

Kansas City .................................................................................. Will Parker & Company

The Surrey With the Fringe On Top (Reprise) ......................................................... Curly

I Cain't Say No ....................................................................................................... Ado Annie

I Cain’t Say No (Encore)..................................................................................... Ado Annie

Entrance of Ensemble .........................................................................................Company

Many a New Day.. ........................................................................................ Laurey & Girls

It's a Scandal! It's a Outrage! .................................................... Ali Hakim, Boys & Girls

People Will Say We're In Love .................................................................... Curly & Laurey

Scene 2: The Smokehouse

Pore Jud Is Daid .................................................................................................. Curly & Jud

Lonely Room. ....................................................................................................................Jud

Scene 3: A Field on Laurey’s Farm

Dream Sequence ............................................................................... Laurey & Company

ACT II

Scene 1: The Skidmore Ranch

The Farmer and the Cowman ...........................................................................Company

All Er Nothin' ........................................................................................................ Will Parker

Scene 2: The Kitchen Porch of Skidmore’s Ranch House

People Will Say We're In Love (Reprise) ................................................. Curly & Laurey

Scene 3: Laurey’s Farmhouse

Oklahoma!. ................................................................................................. Company

Finale Ultimo. ........................................................................................................Company

By Chase Ramsey DIRECTOR'S

NOTE

Like many of you I have seen Oklahoma many times and even had the chance to play Will Parker while in college alongside a brilliant actor (Kelly Coombs) and brilliant director (Dave Tinney). Dave had a way of always seeing the soul of everyone and everything. I learned a great deal from him. Since then I have been in love with the show. The music, the story, and the history. It is by all means a classic.

When Janessa and I found out we were doing Oklahoma we knew that we wanted to approach it fresh. Unbiased. I wanted to read the scenes and be surprised by them...and what ensued during the process was magical. So many times we would be sitting at the table with our scripts and say "I had no idea it was about this." It was a constant surprise and the actors played and asked questions, while owning the truth.

I cried when I saw Jeff Sundwall (the actor who plays Curly) embody the grace that he holds under the surface even in the face of a society telling him he has to "be a man." I found love for Hailey Sundwall’s (the actor who plays Laurey) commitment to Laurey because she is everything I want to be and so much of what my wife Janessa is. Loyal, prioritizes love in all shades, and a dreamer. Hailey has harnessed a power I did not know was in the words. A brilliant surprise.

As Jud, Daniel Cespedes has shown me a "stuckness" that is so familiar. A fear to move. The ugly duckling is only the ugly duckling because WE made it that way. Will Parker and Ado Annie (played by Ty McQuiston and McCall Brainard) have reminded me of a bright look on life. To always play. Come back to the child in me. That bright eyed, bright part of myself. The entire ensemble has given me chills as they lock into a camaraderie. They believe. They buy in.

Overall, I have learned to be conscious and present with how I treat the people around me. To communicate through love and grace as I move through life. In this show, the little things turn to big things because they are ignored. Everything that isn't talked about comes back to haunt. Little disagreements become big mistakes. As simple as it sounds... The Farmer and The Cowman should be friends. It's still as relevant as ever.

P.S. Telling a story through movement is miraculous to me. I am a words guy. Words said or unsaid are my thing. So, when I see what Janessa Ramsey (Choreographer) has done with this play I am stunned. It is incredible how she has found a way to stay true to the story instead of doing a bunch of impressive nonsense. I really don't know how she does it. Holy COW!

Photo by Rachael Gibson

CAST & STAFF BIOGRAPHIES

(in alphabetical order by last name)

DANIELLE BERRY

(Production Stage Manager) Danielle works as SCERA’s Production Manager and Administrative Assistant, and has stage managed more shows than she can count. A favorite experience was stage managing three shows at the 2018 Edinburgh, Scotland Fringe Festival. Danielle has costume designed shows for SCERA and COPA Youth Theatre. “Thanks to the cast and production team who remind me why I love this crazy world of theater, and the biggest thank you to my friends and family for supporting me in what I love to do.”

DEBORAH BOWMAN

(Costume Designer)

Debbie started singing and acting when she was four years old and has enjoyed the stage ever since. You've seen her as Mother Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life: The Musical, Sister Amnesia in Nuncrackers, in Sister Act and singing in SCERA’s Night of Broadway. Debbie feels blessed to have a high school hobby turn into her dream job these last 17 years working at the SCERA Costume Shop. She has costume designed many shows, with some favorites being The Play That Goes

Wrong,The SpongeBob Musical, Catch Me If You Can, The Drowsy Chaperone, Matilda The Musical, The Wizard of Oz, The Little Mermaid, Hairspray, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Newsies

But her favorite role to play is grandma to five beautiful grandbabies, mom to two great kids (and their spouses), and wife to her extremely supportive husband John!

McCALL BRAINARD

(Ado Annie Carnes) McCall couldn’t say no to joining SCERA’s production of Oklahoma! From Saratoga Springs, McCall is a student at BYU pursuing a BFA in Music Dance Theatre. She is currently a member of the Young Ambassadors and will be joining Contemporary Dance Theatre in the fall. Over the years, McCall has trained with Open Jar Institute, Odyssey Dance Theatre and Utah Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA), where she is now a dance company director. Some of her favorite credits include Next to Normal (Natalie), Crazy For You (Irene), Fly More Than You Fall (dance captain), BYU’s Fiddler On The Roof (dance captain), Thriller! (ODT), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie Bucket), The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), and Manhattan Concert Productions of Crazy For You and Broadway Classics at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

DANIEL CESPEDES

(Jud Fry) Daniel is thrilled to be back at the SCERA Shell this year! He is currently studying towards his BFA in Musical Theatre at UVU. Some of his favorite credits include: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Phoebus) and Les Miserables (Marius), and other roles such as Troy in High School Musical; Lancelot in Camelot, and Ensemble in The Addams Family. He’d like to extend massive gratitude to Chase Ramsey, Janessa Ramsey, and Danielle Berry for giving him this opportunity to bring Jud to life in this amazing production. Daniel would also like to thank his family for the love and support they give him and knows he wouldn’t be where he is without the support from his amazing little sister Tanya. IG: @d cespy

THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE 2023 SEASON

SPECIAL THANKS: James & Andrea Clarke , Jim & Tana Evans, Brad Camp Terry & Sherry Peterson, Xmission, Alpine Event Co. Specialty Linens Compass Billboards, Derick & Kym Wolsleger

CHASE ELISON

(Sound & Lighting Manager) Chase has been involved in theatre since he was 11 in SCERA’s Oliver. At age 15, he began working at the Lehi Arts Center, where he has run and designed countless productions in lighting and audio. Chase currently serves as SCERA’s Sound and Lighting Manager, and has designed lighting for many of SCERA’s Theatre for Young Audiences productions, and most recently for Cinderella: The Tale of the Glass Slipper and A Christmas Story: The Musical. “I dedicate my work to my grandparents Jerry & Barbara. They introduced me to theatre and music at a young age. My grandma taught me piano for many years, and I had the honor of working with my grandpa for several productions here at SCERA. Love and miss you guys, ‘Ya done good!’”

CHARISSE FINCH

(Aunt Eller) Charisse is so grateful and excited to be back at SCERA as part of this production (Seriously, y’all, "this here's a party!"). She has loved working with this cast and directing team and would like to thank them for entrusting her with this role. Charisse was recently seen on the SCERA stage as Ms. Darbus in High School Musical and Maud Dunlop in The Music Man. Other favorite roles include Marmee in Little Women, and roles in A Christmas Story, Freaky Friday, Jekyll and Hyde, and Joseph...Dreamcoat. Charisse is an elementary school counselor (go RME Cougars!) and enjoys traveling with her family and doting on their miniature schnauzer. Thanks to Brenner for pulling his mom into the musical theater world with him a few years ago and to Jon for supporting his wife’s dramatic antics. Lastly, much gratitude to Mom for passing down her trick-roping skills to her children. “In the name of Oklahoma!... Yee-Haw!” – C.R.

ELIZABETH GRIFFITHS

(Lighting Designer) Liz received a degree in theater education from Brigham Young University. She currently serves on the Board for the Lehi Community Theater as a lighting designer. She works with several communities in their lighting programs. She loves designing for SCERA, some of her favorite shows have been Mary Poppins, The Spongebob Musical, Disney’s Descendants, and Catch Me If You Can! She is also the mother of four very rambunctious children, Acacia, Josh, Emmeline and Grace! She would like to thank her kids and her devoted and wonderful husband Casey for all of his patience and support of her theater habit.

CLAYTON TROY GUYMON

(Ali Hakim) Clayton is ecstatic to be making his debut performance on the SCERA stage. He has always been called a natural salesman and even though he's tried to avoid that job in real life it has now followed him onto the stage - maybe he should start peddling full time! He graduated from UVU with degrees in Theatre Arts and Political Science. Some of Clayton's favorite roles and shows include Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors, Linus in Snoopy the Musical, Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, Brophy in Arsenic and Old Lace, and Juror #7 in Twelve Angry Men. He dedicates this show to his father, "Thanks for being a constant source of guidance and encouragement!"

ZIPPY HELLEWELL

(Scene Shop Manager)

Zippy graduated from UVU with an AA in Theatre Arts. He has been doing theater since 5th grade when he was in his elementary school's production of Guys and Dolls Jr. and has loved it ever since. Zippy started off acting, but he also found his love for backstage along the way. He started working in technical theater in junior high

CAST & STAFF BIOGRAPHIES

(in alphabetical order by last name)

and high school, as well as some classes at UVU. He’s spent the past few years at SCERA working on sets and backstage, and recently designed the set for The Play That Goes Wrong, Cinderella: The Tale of the Glass Slipper and A Christmas Story: The Musical.

KORIANNE ORTON JOHNSON

(Music Director) Korianne has been seen all over the United States performing some of her favorite roles including: Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors; Amneris in Aida; Mother in Ragtime; Lily in The Secret Garden; Frankie in 110 in the Shade (starring Audra McDonald); Adele in Die Fledermaus; and Babette in Beauty and the Beast. Korianne is full time faculty in the School of Music at BYU and the division coordinator over contemporary voice where she teaches group lessons, private lessons and music directs mainstage productions. Korianne has a BFA in Music Dance Theatre and a MM in Vocal Performance. She is excited to be back working with the dream team of Janessa and Chase Ramsey at the SCERA Shell. “Much love to my family!”

EMMA JOHNSON

(Gertie Cummings) Emma is excited to be back at the SCERA Shell this summer.

Emma is a nursing student at UVU and will graduate in May 2024 with her BSN. Previous credits include Mae in Wild Party (Hart Theatre Company), Step-Sister in Cinderella (SCERA, Payton Community Theatre), Deb in Elf The Musical (Lehi Community Theatre), and Mamma Mia (Timpanogos Community Theatre). She wants to give a shout-out to her handsome husband for all his support and love. Instagram: emmalynn09

ANDY KELSON

(Andrew Carnes) Andy is performing his 11th show at SCERA, and this time with two of his kids, Lily and Liz. He has found new and relevant meaning in this wonderful old musical. The role of Andrew Carnes is a dream. Special thanks to Chase, Janessa, and Korianne for having confidence in him and to Danielle for her most excellent stage managing, and to the many behind the scenes people who make this show happen. He would mostly like to thank his wife, Lynne, for her endless love, and also to his children and extended family. “May the farmers and cowmen of the world learn to find unity, and love the outcasts of this world.”

MARSHALL LAMM

(Cord Ellam) By day, Marshall plays the role of happy father to Emma, Henry, and Millie, and he also works as a mental health counselor in Mapleton at his private practice, LifeWorks Counseling. His most recent appearance on stage was at the Hale Center Theater Orem’s production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder earlier this year as the D’Ysquith Family.

TY MCQUISTON

(Will Parker) Ty is an actor, singer, and “magnetic comedian” who loves Blue Powerade and Katy Perry. He is a collector of many things and cherishes any time he gets to spend on stage. As a recent graduate of the BYU Music Dance Theatre BFA, Ty has explored his passion for theatre while enjoying roles in Fiddler on the Roof, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, [title

of show], and many more. He has toured with the BYU Young Ambassadors in the U.S. and will be performing with them at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August. tymcquiston.com | @tymcquiston

CHRISTY NORTON

(Props Designer) Christy grew up in Orem and remembers going to SCERA as a child. She taught dance for 20+ years and was the Youth Dance director at SCERA for four years. Christy started designing props for SCERA in 2014. Her first production was The Cat in the Hat and since that time she has designed more than 80 productions. Christy loves the unique creative challenge of designing props to help tell the story! Special thanks to her husband Ben and three children and to her SCERA family for believing in me and supporting me.

CHASE RAMSEY

(Director / Scenic Designer) SCERA directing credits include: The Play That Goes Wrong, The SpongeBob Musical, Noises Off, Shrek, Cinderella, Tarzan, and My Fair Lady. He also wrote eight musicals along with David Smith that premiered here at SCERA. Chase can soon be seen in movie theaters for Kevin Costner's epic Horizon Series (WB) and The Roughneck. Recent movies are Falling for Christmas (Netflix), Sweet Pecan Summer (Hallmark), Yellowstone (Paramount), The Storied Life of AJ Fikry, and Law & Order Also known for his work as past Food Network host as well as a director for the Walt Disney Company, The Guthrie Theatre, Berkeley Rep, and for feature films. Chase is a published playwright and produced screenwriter. “This one is for Kev, Ali, and the kids! So happy you're home.” Instagram: @chaseramseyreally

JANESSA RAMSEY

(Choreographer) Janessa is a long time dancer and choreographer, with a history of competition dancing. In high school, dance took her to the theatre and she’s loved it ever since. She’s so happy to be working on this amazing show with her husband. Favorite projects include The Brave and the Wild, Aida, Seussical and Tarzan. “Love to my family. Enjoy the magic.”

HAILEY BENNETT SUNDWALL

(Laurey Williams) Hailey has performed at HCTO, Hale Sandy, SCERA, Covey Center for the Arts, UVYP, Tuacahn, West Valley City Theater and more - adding up to over 200 productions, concerts, and films. Favorite roles include Sandy in The SpongeBob Musical, Jane in Tarzan, Madeline in Titanic, Lavinia in Titus Andronicus, and Belle in Beauty & the Beast Hailey has found a new love in directing and teaching theatre - shoutout to her amazing students! She is so grateful to get to share the stage with her amazingly talented husband, Jeff. Falling in love with him every night is just too easy. And thank you to Chase, Ness, Korianne and Danielle!

JEFF SUNDWALL

(Curly McLain) Jeff’s love for theater started when his Mom bribed him with $25 to audition for Timberline Middle School’s production of Oklahoma! Needless to say, Jeff is thrilled to be reprising his role, and this time, across from his extremely talented wife, Hailey. Jeff has performed all around the world and is excited to be performing with the BYU Young Ambassadors this August in Edinburgh, Scotland. He wants to thank Chase, Janessa, Korianne, and Danielle for taking a shot on him for this role. Most importantly, he’d like to thank his wife for being the best opposite he could ever dream of!

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SCERA TEAM

SCERA Board of Directors

Jerry Loveland (Chair)

Karlyn Norton (Past Chair)

Nancy Hale (Chair Elect)

Bryan Pope (Secretary)

Heather Osmond (Treasurer)

Abbie Scott

Dave McCann

Delynn Rodeback

Jeanette Herbert

SCERA President & CEO

Marketing/Development

Adam J. Robertson

Operations Manager

Marketing/Development

April Berlin

Administrative Services Manager

Lesa Pulham

House Manager

Linda Campbell

Production Manager

Administrative Assistant

Danielle Berry

Brandon Fugal

Bryan Farris

Craig Werner

Cynthia Gambill

Glen Overton

Project & Volunteer Coordinator

Rebecca Boberg

Rentals & Special Events Coordinator

Brodee Ripple

Scene Shop Manager

Zippy Hellewell

Costume Shop Manager

Kelsey Seaver

Costume Shop Staff

Deborah Bowman

Abigail Clay

Crysta Lamb

Prop Shop Manager

Christy Norton

Sound & Lighting Manager

Chase Elison

Shell House Manager

Melanie Holdaway

Shell Box Office

Jeanette Smith

PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COUNCIL

Greg Olsen

Greg Reed

James Clarke

Jason Craddock

Jeanette Bennett

Jennifer Durrant

Jim Evans

Laurie Stokes

Mary Robinson

Rita Wright

NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

Shell Hill Manager

Savannah Linton

Shell Hill Staff

Braeden Holdaway

Alex Guerrero

Mark Bonney

Bubbi Fifita

Dean Millard

Seth Horting

Milo Riggs

Aaron Maya

Adam Maya

Caleb Reid

Mylie Mann

Job Villamar

Graphic Design

Stephanie Bird

April Berlin

Photographer

Derick Wolsleger

Rachael Gibson

Concessions/Ushers

SCERA Volunteers scera.org/volunteer

Sam Cardon

Terri Lindorf

Will Fowlke

Yevon Romney

Jim Brickman

Composer/Entertainer

Ashly Delgrosso-Costa

Professional Dancer

Crystal Gayle

Entertainer

Gary Herbert

Former Utah Governor

Michael McLean

Composer/Entertainer

Michael Martin Murphy

Entertainer

Alan Osmond

Producer/Entertainer

Ben Vereen

Broadway Star