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OKLAHOMA! COMES TO TEMPLE THEATERS American Musical Classic On Stage Next Month

Philadelphia, PA – Temple Theaters opens its innovative 46th season with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, running October 9 – 20, 2013. This pioneering classic American musical about young love on the frontier is directed by Peter Reynolds and choreographed by Maggie Anderson, who previously collaborated on Temple Theaters’ Spring Awakening and Urinetown. Featuring a cast of thirty-five and a full orchestra from Temple’s Boyer College of Music and Dance, this production is a spectacular celebration of the 70th anniversary of this landmark American Musical classic. With memorable songs like “Oh, What Beautiful Morning,” “Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” and the title song, “Oklahoma!,” the show became instant hit when it premiered in 1943. This first collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II is celebration of love, patriotism and nostalgia. With a gifted cast of talented undergraduates and seasoned professionals, Temple Theaters’ Oklahoma! is sure to impress. The role of Aunt Eller is portrayed by Professor Donna Snow; an accomplished teacher, Ms. Snow is also a well-known regional actor, having appeared on stage at The Long Wharf, Arena Stage, and Walnut Street Theater among many others. This is her first on stage appearance in several years. She is joined by graduate student Robert Jason Jackson, who appeared last year in Temple Theaters’ Spring Awakening and The Crucible, as Ado Annie’s father, Andrew Carnes. Mr. Jackson is in his second year of the MFA Acting program; he has performed at the Public Theater, the Roundabout Theater Company, Shakespeare Theatre Company, and the Mark Taper Forum, where he won an NAACP Best Actor nomination for his performance of Bolingbroke in Richard II. Philadelphia native Garrick V. Morgan and sophomore Mary Guarnieri, making her Temple Theaters debut, portray sweethearts Curly and Laurey. Mr. Morgan was featured this past spring in the Abbott Center musical concert presentation of The Boys from Syracuse and is a senior Vocal Performance and Music education major in Temple University’s Boyer College. They are joined by undergraduate performers Josh Kachnycz (The Liar), Mike Nappi (The Boys from Syracuse), Cameron Scot Slusser (Spring Awakening), and Kendyll Young (Spring Awakening). As head of the musical theater program, director Peter Reynolds has directed numerous musicals for Temple Theaters, including Spring Awakening, Urinetown, and Sweeny Todd, in addition to working regionally at Drexel University, Act II Playhouse and the Walnut Street Theater. He is also the founding artistic director of Mauckingbird Theatre Company and recently directed their gender-bending production of The Importance of Being Earnest. Maggie Anderson is accomplished performer, educator, director/choreographer. A newly appointed assistant professor of musical theater at Temple University, Ms. Anderson’s directing and choreographing credits include Spring Awakening and A Chorus Line for Temple Theaters. Marie Anne Chiment, the department’s Head of the Design, is a nationally recognized scenic and costume designer. Her most recent credits include Temple Theaters’ Liverpudlian Sleeve and Mauckingbird Theater Company’s The Importance of Being Earnest. Third-year MFA costume design candidate Katie Dowse previous worked on Temple Theaters’ The Crucible, as costume designer, and Puddin’head Wilson, as make-up designer. Lighting designer and Temple University alumna Maria Shaplin is a Philadelphia-based artist specializing in experimental designs; she has worked with The Riot Group (NYC), The Berzerker Residents, and Applied Mechanics. Temple Theaters, now entering its second year as part of the Division of Theater, Film and Media Arts under Temple University’s new Center for the Arts, is pleased to celebrate its 46th season. Located on the northern edge of the Avenue of the Arts and just moments away from the heart of Philadelphia's thriving theatre community, Temple Theaters has established itself as one of the finest nationally ranked theater training programs in the nation. The department faculty and staff comprise a highly-trained scholars and notable working professionals with theater credits in Philadelphia, New York City, nationally and internationally. Temple Theaters 2013-2014 season continues with The Brother/Sister Plays by Tarell Alvin McCraney (November 13-24), Macbeth by William Shakespeare (February 12-23), Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical (March 26 – April 6), and the world premiere of Odd Girl Out: The Culture of Hidden Aggression in Girls, adapted and directed by Douglas C. Wager, from the book by Rachel Simmons (April 23 – May 3). With an eclectic mix of old, new, and emerging drama, the new season showcases the consummate artistry and creative talents of the Department of Theater’s talented and diverse student/faculty resident ensemble.

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Fact Sheet

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! Music by Richard Rodgers Lyrics and book by Oscar Hammerstein II Based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs Original Dances by Agnes de Mille

Wednesday, October 9 at 7:00 pm Friday, October 11 at 8:00 pm Saturday, October 12 at 8:00 pm Sunday, October 13 at 2:00 pm Wednesday, October 16 at 7:00 pm Thursday, October 17 at 7:00 pm Saturday, October 19 at 2:00 pm Saturday, October 19 at 8:00 pm Sunday, October 20 at 2:00 pm

The Production Team Director Peter Reynolds Choreographer Maggie Anderson Music Director Hana J. Cai Scenic Designer Marie Anne Chiment Costume Designer Katie Dowse Lighting Designer Maria Shaplin Sound Designer Susan Adelizzi Stage Manager J.T. Murtagh

Principle Cast Aunt Eller Donna Snow Laurey Mary Guarnieri Curly Garrick V. Morgan Jud Josh Kachnycz Ado Annie Kendyll Young Will Parker Cameron Scot Slusser Ali Hakim Mike Nappi Andrew Carnes Robert Jason Jackson

Tickets $25 General Admission $20 Students/Seniors/Temple Employees $10 Temple Students (w/ ID)

Box Office Information Tomlinson Theater Box Office 1301 W. Norris St. Philadelphia, PA 19122 215.204.1122 templetheaters.ticketleap.com