rotary musical

The curtain is going up May 20 as Henryetta high school students present the time-honored musical, “Oklahoma.:
HHS drama coach Justin Been said the musical will hold two performances May 22 and May 22 at 2 and 7 p.m. with an evening showing May 21 at 7 p.m. and afternoon performance May 23 at 2 p.m.
Students have been rehearing the musical for several weeks and fighting through the problems with school being closed due to COVID and even the extreme cold in February.
“Our kids in this program are in the top of their class as far as being well-rounded individuals,” Been told members of the Henryetta Rotary Club this past week. “They have learned so much self-confidence and who they are as a person.”
The musical was moved into the late spring due to the pandemic and that has enabled the group to have former HHS grad and performer in New York, Liz Bealko to help direct.
musical posterThis is the second performance for the theatre group in two years. Last year students performed Sound of Music that involved not only high school students but also cast members from lower grades.
In 1992, “Oklahoma” was performed by high school students but also had members of the community step in to fill out the cast.
Been said auditions this year had 42 students try out. “I was so excited to have so many of the kids in school who wanted to be a part of this. They are extremely talented and it was tough turning some of them down.” The abundance of talent resulted in some double casting on several of the roles. That also enabled the cast and crew to hold several performances.
The cast has 25 as well as a number of others behind the scenes working lights, props and make-up.
The decision to do Oklahoma was a last minute. “I didn’t see any way we could do an inside show with COVID. We were looking at going outside and bring in food trucks. “We chose Oklahoma and up until about a month ago we were going to do it north of the gym. Covid started to slow and I started looking at the issue of lighting and seating and time we would spend getting it ready.”
That was when the decision as to hold the musical in the HHS auditorium.
In addition to the musical, there is an option to enjoy a dinner prior to the evening performances. May 20 is a Shoney’s night that will feature a country fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, roll and a drink for $combination of $25 dinner and show tickets for adults or $20 for students. per plate. May 21 will feature Mel’s Country Market night with roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy corn, Oklahoma toast, salad, banana pudding and drink for $15 per plate. May 22 is going to be Harvey’s barbecue night with ribs, baked beans, potato salad, toast dessert and drink for the $25 and $20 combination price then May 23 is Mel’s Sunday lunch consisting of a chicken salad croissant, pasta salad, fruit cup and fruit dip and drink for $22 adults and $17 students..
The musical only admission price of $10 for adults, and $5 for children under 13 and adults over 60.
Been said the music is going to be even better this year with the recent addition of a new 42-channel sound board purchased through a grant from the Henryetta Education Foundation.
Tickets may be purchased from the cast members or by contacting Been. Show only tickets will also be available at the door.