The Crowd Roared for “Oklahoma!”

(Review by Geoff Steele.  Photographs by Andrew O’Hearn.)

As the sky grew dark and the audience gathered at Prickett’s Fort Amphitheatre, it was actually the beginning of a “beautiful morning” for Fairmont State University School of Fine Arts and Town and Gown Players as they presented the 1943 Broadway hit OKLAHOMA! Uniquely swirled ears of corn with a stunning back drop of plains and sky set the stage when Curly’s (Greg DeVito) voice broke through the crisp night air ringing like a wakeup call for the farm setting to come alive.

Aunt Eller (Linda O’Connor) was hysterically funny and reminiscent of Granny from the “Beverly Hillbillies.” She knew exactly how to deliver her lines to make the audience chuckle. The stubborn love bickering between Curly and Laurey (Loralee Simpson) was perfectly timed and believable and both were strong in character and presence. Laurey finds herself in the midst of a suitor problem when her farmhand, Jud Fry (Jason Young), asks her to the social before the headstrong Curley does. As Laurey agrees to go with Jud she has no idea of the fate which lies ahead.

Will Parker (Jay Lindsay) gives his all with “Kansas City” as the script introduces additional characters and additional story lines. Ado Annie (Cora Childress) is to be commended on her perfect hormonal performance of “I Can’t Say No” as she finds herself in a horrible dilemma of two suitors–the mysterious and worldly Ali Hakim (Christian Cox) and Will Parker.

While the main characters have the majority of the stage time and musical numbers and the cast delivers very strong performances, there are some performances of minor characters that deserve recognition. Troy Snyder as Andrew Carnes, Ado Annie’s father, is terrific comic relief wielding his rifle and dealing with Ado Annie’s suitors and leading the ensemble in “The Farmer and the Cowman Should be Friends.” Mr. Snyder also designed the sets. John O’Connor as Ike Skidmore brings professional level acting skills to a role that could be lost in the crowd. Dani DeVito as Gertie Cummings, a role without a solo, manages to create a character laugh that reduces the audience to giggles every time she is heard. Of particular note is Jason Young as Jud Fry who has to tackle one of the most unlikable characters written for a musical. Mr. Young manages to totally capture the audience attention with an unsympathetic character and enthrall them with a sensitive and beautiful singing of his soliloquy, “Lonely Room.”

Overall, the production of OKLAHOMA! is well done blending direction, choreography, acting, scenery, lighting and costumes. The music from an eight-piece orchestra conducted by music director Jamie Clegg is very well done and the singing by the ensemble is very impressive. Director, Jeffrey Ingman, should be proud of this production as the audience at the amphitheatre gave the production 100% of its attention to the story, roared its approval of individual musical numbers and stood to show its overall appreciation at the finale.

“Oklahoma!” opens June 25 at Prickett’s Fort Amphitheater

Depicting the pioneering men and women of the American Great Plains, the musical “Oklahoma!” features well-known songs such as “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” “People Will Say We’re in Love,” and, of course, “Oklahoma”:

Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain
And the wavin’ wheat can sure smell sweet
When the wind comes right behind the rain…

The Fairmont State University Masquers will present the first musical written by composer Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II at Prickett’s Fort State Park at 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, June 25-27, and Thursday through Saturday, July 1-3.

Ticket information is available at the Box Office in the Wallman Hall entryway, at the Box Office webpage, or call 304-367-4240. Tickets are $12. Admission for the June 27 performance will be “pay what you can.”

“I am pleased with the ongoing partnership between Fairmont State University and the Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation to provide quality theater in this outdoor setting for the community and visitors,” said Melissa May, Executive Director of Prickett’s Fort.

Directed by Jeffrey Ingman, the show is set in the Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906.

“It has been a delightful experience working with such a talented and energetic cast on this year’s Town & Gown production,” Ingman said. “The community brings such joy to the process, and the connection between the university and the community is priceless. It is going to be a fun show, and I hope everyone comes out to see it.”

Greg DeVito of Doddridge County High School’s music department plays the lead role of Curly McLain, a cowboy with lots of confidence except when it comes to the girl he’d like to court, Laurey Williams, played by Loralee Simpson.

The cast includes Linda O’Connor as Aunt Eller, Jason Young as Jud Fry, Cora Childress as Ado Annie Carnes, Jay Lindsay as Will Parker, Christian Cox as Ali Hakim, Troy Snyder as Andrew Carnes, Dani DeVito as Gertie Cummings, John O’Connor as Ike Skidmore, John Piscitelli as Cord Elam, Jeremiah Ripley as Slim, Anthony Host as Fred, Sarah Hoffmaster as Kate, Elisha Nestor as Ellen, Steven McElroy as Mike, Lloyd Frazier as Sam, Eli Thompson as Chalmers. In the ensemble are Leigh Anne Bolyard, Sasha Bohon, Kerry Carpenter, Sami Dull, Samantha Huffman, Sydney King, Chris Lavorata, Nora Perone, Maggie Retton, Jane Ryan, M. Lanette Six, Clare Tillman, Gracie Tillman, Mary Tillman, Hannah Weakley, Christopher Yost and Shannon Yost.

“Children’s Letters to God” delights and delivers

(review by Jim Matthews)

Do not be deceived by the title of this summer’s FSU Town and Gown Youth Company production, Children’s Letters to God.  The title suggests a focus on the spiritual, possibly even a religious allegory.  Nothing so heavy-handed is in store for the audience of this play.  Adapted loosely from a 1967 picture book by the same name, Children’s Letters to God concerns itself with doubt of all kinds, including the doubt raised by the death of a favorite pet, doubt about friendship and romance, and doubt about one’s own skills and identity.

For a piece so concerned with existential questions, Children’s Letters to God is positive and upbeat.  The overall effect of the production is an infectious joy.  Much of the humor of the picture book’s original letters is preserved, humor of the “kids say the darnedest things” variety.  The storyline produces some laughs as well, and while few, if any, of the problems raised for these characters are resolved, the play is ultimately optimistic, focusing on the resilience of the young.

The production does a good job of supporting this upbeat mood.  Friday’s opening night performance moved at a brisk pace, with no moments that lagged or felt drawn out.  This pace, along with the episodic nature of the play, moved the performance along to an emotionally satisfying conclusion quite quickly.  The design elements of the show emphasize the mood as well.  Both the costumes and the set use splashes of bright color, with tie dyed shirts and painting that suggest children’s artwork. 

On opening night, the cast was uneven but mostly strong, helped by material that is likely to be familiar to their own experiences.  It was obvious that many of these young actors are already seasoned stage veterans.  The musical elements of the production were not as strong, mostly because the songs appear to be a bit too complex for child performers, but the quick pace of the show minimized any weak spots.

Children’s Letters to God will continue through June 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12, with Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances beginning at 7:30 and a Sunday Matinee at 2:00 on June 6, all in Wallman Hall Theatre.

A selection of photos from ‘Children’s Letters to God’

The FSU Town and Gown Youth Company production of the musical, Children’s Letters to God, opened last night in the Wallman Hall Theatre.  It will be performed again tonight, Saturday, June 5, at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance tomorrow, Sunday, June 6, at 2 p.m., as well as next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 10, 11 and 12.

Ticket information is available at the Box Office webpage, or call 304-367-4240.

Additional information about this production, including a video clip,  is available at the FSU School of Fine Arts website.

Here are a few random scenes from the production.

Fine Arts students reap awards at Annual Academic Awards Celebration

On May 7, at the Thirty-third Annual Academic Awards Celebration, a number of Fine Arts students were recognized for their work.

Communication & Theatre Arts Students

~~ Dana Sayre, Theatre major, Outstanding Achievement in a Foreign Language (French)
~~ Heidi Kave and Holly Wilson,  Outstanding Seniors in Communication

Music students

~~ Jennifer Stafford, Research in Music Education Award
~~ Sarah Watkins, Academic Achievement Award in Music
~~ Amy Prenatt, Sigma Alpha Iota Collegiate Honor Award
~~ Christopher Dickey, winner of FSU Concerto Competition
~~ Hillary Barlow, MENC Chapter 315 Outstanding Music Educator, Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic Award and winner of FSU Concerto Competition

Art students

~~ Stacey Elder and Michael Smith, Excellence in Studio Art
~~ Jason Spinks,  Exceptional Service to the Visiting Visual Artist Series
~~ Trevor Oxley,  Excellence in Graphics/Fine Arts
~~ Laura Bonasso, art education major, The Lundix and Saverino Scholarship.

French professor Erin Hippolyte, Fine Arts Dean Peter Lach, Dana Sayre

 

Music professor Constance Edwards, Christopher Dickey, Hillary Barlow, Jennifer Stafford, Amy Prenatt, Sarah Watkins

 

Heidi Kave, Michael Smith, Trevor Oxley, Jason Spinks, Stacey Elder

Christopher Dickey, Holly Wilson, Jennifer Stafford, Sarah Watkins

 

Winners of M.M. Neely Persuasive Speaking Contest announced

Fairmont State University has announced the winners of the annual M.M. Neely Persuasive Speaking Contest.

The first place winner was Heidi Kave, who is a Communication major and a graduate of East Fairmont High School. Her topic was “Cyberbullying.” Second place went to Jasmin Patrick, a Communication major and a graduate of Parkersburg South High School. Her topic was “College Costs.” The third place winner was Hannah Ornowski, a Communication major and a graduate of Fairmont Senior High School. Her topic was “Incivility.” The prizes were $500 for first place, $300 for second and $200 for third.

Left to right: Hannah Ornowski, Dr. Bob Mild, Heidi Kave, Jasmin Patrick.

The contest was begun in the 1930s at Fairmont State and Salem College by the former U.S. senator and governor of West Virginia, Mathew Mansfield Neely. As a politician, he fought for cancer research, child labor regulation and other similar reforms. A most celebrated and controversial politician, Neely, who was also quite adept at public speaking, saw the contest as a way to encourage students to speak up for their beliefs as he had in support of his deeply-held convictions.

Now, 71 years later, Neely’s heirs, specifically his daughter, Corrine Neely Pettit, have endowed the contest in perpetuity. In addition to this contest, the Neely family has shown its commitment to speech education at Fairmont State by providing monies for numerous scholarships to students who major or minor in Speech Communication.

The contest was open to all full-time Fairmont State students who meet the contest’s requirements. Participants presented an 8-10 minute persuasive problem analysis based upon extensive research. The students were judged on composition (quality of script) and the delivery or effectiveness of the presentation.

Children’s Letters to God to open June 4th in Wallman Hall Theatre

The Fairmont State University Town and Gown Youth Company production of the off-Broadway musical, Children’s Letters to God, will be performed in the Wallman Hall Theatre on Friday and Saturday, June 4 and 5, at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance on Sunday, June 6, at 2 p.m. Performances are also planned for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 10, 11 and 12.

Ticket information is available at the Box Office in the Wallman Hall entryway, at the Box Office webpage, or call 304-367-4240.

[the following is from Dr Francene Kirk]:  Based on the book by Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall, Children’s Letters to God is a show for the entire family.    In this production of this off-Broadway musical, twenty-five children, ages 7 to 16,  ask  questions ranging from — “Why do people have to die? ” to  “Who invented gum? ” while celebrating birthday parties, playing baseball, and watching the stars appear in the night sky. 

The story is told in vignettes and follows Brett (played by Brady Dunn) as he comes to grips with his parents’ divorce.  Brett is secretly adored by his classmate Joanna (played by Kailee Latocha) and looked up to by the neighborhood kids, including Joanna’s  annoying little brother , Kicker (played by Tyler Giorcelli), a wannabe baseball player named Theo (played by Christopher Yost),  and a turtle-loving 10 year- old named Iris Burns (played by Leah Michael).   These characters are joined in their search for answers to their questions by an ensemble that includes Mariah Duckworth, Sinead Tobin, Shawnae Sanders, Gatsby Q. H. Rider, Aydan Hansen, Maddie LaFollette, Tori Smith, Natalie Amiano, Autumn Hansen, Shannon Yost, Isabella Diserio, Cassady Rodriguez, Michaela Cloutier, Mackenzie Tennant, Emilee Kristine Latocha, Sarah Lemley, Sabrina Dahlia, Miranda M. Martin, Devin Ferrell and Andy Shaw.

Choro Band, featuring Jennifer Stafford, to perform tonight, May 8, at 8 pm in Wallman Hall Theatre

Fairmont State’s Choro Band will present an evening of combo jazz on Saturday, May 8, at 8:00 pm in Wallman Hall Theatre.    The concert is free and open to the public.

Styles will range from bossa nova to fusion, in original arrangements by director Dr. Patrick Joyce, and featuring guest vocalist Jennifer Stafford. You will hear bossa nova favorites by Antonio Carlos Jobim, such as Corcovado (sung by Ms. Stafford), straight ahead jazz standards like Solar by Miles Davis and fusion greats like Canyon Song by Ralph Towner. Thirteen selections in all, something for everyone.

Wind & percussion ensembles to perform tonight, May 6, at 8 pm, in Wallman Hall Theatre

The Fairmont State University Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble will be presenting a joint concert Thursday May 6 at 8:00 p.m. in Wallman Hall Theatre. 

The wind ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Valarie Huffman will be performing five works under the theme of “Crystal Memorials” where the pieces have a common thread of 1863/1963 and United States Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. 

The first work entitled Cenotaph was written by Jack Stamp and the title is a reference to memorials for people not buried there.  With its connection to both presidents, one is reminded of Washington D.C. and the Lincoln Memorial and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 

 The second work, is Elegy for a Young American by Ronald LoPresti was written following the assassination of President Kennedy, when many composers stricken with grief over the assassination poured out their emotions the only way they knew how—through music. 

The third work, Crystals is a contemporary work written by Thomas Duffy that is comprised of four sections that represents a different type of crystal—some that are formed by water (icebergs, glaciers), or sun reflecting through or off of water (prisms), stone (granite monoliths, Stonehenge, Big Ben), and the chemical type that can cause physical harm (cyanide and meth). 

The fourth work, which will be conducted by Assistant Director of Bands, Matthew Schoonmaker is entitled Gettysburg:  The Third Day by Jay Dawson.  This work depicts the gruesome battle of Gettysburg in 1863 and the carnage that resulted from that bloody battle during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency.  

 The final work Boys of Wexford is a march setting that was a favorite Irish folk tune of President Kennedy who requested an arrangement to be composed for performance at the White House.  The version the FSU wind ensemble will be performing is the version performed first by “The President’s Own” the U.S. Marine Band in 1963.  Kennedy enjoyed the work so much, that he proclaimed it as his “official” march. No one knew at that time, that just a few months later, “The President’s Own” would escort the President to his final resting place in Arlington Cemetery.

Prior to the wind ensemble’s performance, the FSU Percussion Ensemble and the African Drum and Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Matthew Schoonmaker, will perform full percussion ensemble works from composers Jared Spears, Chris Brooks and the legendary Phil Faini, former dean of the WVU College of Creative Arts.  The African Ensemble will perform traditional songs from upper Guinea and Mali which will incorporate African instruments such as Djembes, Dunduns, and Shakeres.  Members of the ensemble will also perform traditional African dances that are staged with the traditional songs.

 The concert is free and open to the public.

Collegiate Singers & Chamber Choir to perform “Majesty & Margaritas” this evening at 8 pm in Turley Center Ballroom

Battle of Puebla

The Collegiate Singers & Chamber Choir, under the direction of Dr. Samuel Spears, will present a concert, “Majesty & Margaritas”,  this evening, Wednesday, May 5, at 8 pm, in the Turley Center Ballroom.  The concert is free & open to the public.

The Collegiate Singers will open the evening’s entertainment with an anthem by Handel composed for the coronation of England’s King George II in 1727

The Chamber Choir will follow with a performance of two madrigals, one with lyrics from the English Renaissance, but with a modern treatment, and the other from the French Renaissance.  They will then move from the Renaissance to the 20th century with two jazz standards, one by Duke Ellington and the other by  Guy Wood, with lyrics by Robert Mellin.  The Chamber Choir will close with a composition by Julián Gómez Giraldo, derived from the melody of a Colombian folk song.

The Collegiate Singers will then return with two Latin jazz numbers in honor of the Mexican holiday, Cinco de Mayo,  which commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, and is celebrated on this date throughout Mexico and in Mexican restaurants everywhere.  They will then change pace somewhat to perform My Home Among the Hills, a regional favorite by E. W. James, and will close the concert with a piece by  jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges.