January 26–28 • February 2–4 & 9–11
Actors Cabaret of eugene
996 Willamette Street
This musical, set in the Oklahoma territory of the early 1900s, tells the story of two pairs of lovers. Curly is a cowboy who has trouble admitting his feelings to Laurey, as she does to him, because of their stubbornness. Jud, a hired hand, doesn’t stand a chance with Laurey, but he’s got his heart set on her. A subplot involves boy-crazy Ado Annie, who is engaged to Ali Hakim, a traveling peddler and ladies’ man, who doesn’t want to marry her, while another man, Will Parker, desperately wants her to be his bride.
OKLAHOMA! was the first musical collaboration between Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein. The original Broadway production opened on March 31, 1943. It was a box office hit and ran for an unprecedented 2,212 performances. It also earned an Oscar for the 1955 film adaptation. OKLAHOMA! has been a mainstay in the category of classic musicals ever since.
For this production, we are looking for a large cast of performers who are strong singers. Dancing skills are helpful, but not required!
As OKLAHOMA! celebrates its 80th birthday, we are pleased to bring it to the Actors Cabaret stage!
Audition Information
• Online auditions can occur at any time by submitting through the Audition Form.
• In-person auditions are Saturday, October 14.
rehearsals
• Location: 435 Covey Lane, Eugene
• Begin: Saturday, October 21, 2023
• Choreography: Afternoons Saturdays & Sundays
• All Other Rehearsals: Are during the week and will be reasonable to accommodate work and school schedules. Holidays honored so cast members can be with friends and family
Cast needs: Strong singers
It would be helpful, but not required, to have dance skills.
LEADING, SUPPORTING, AND ENSEMBLE ROLES OF OKLAHOMA!
AUNT ELLER — Laurey’s Aunt, Aunt Eller is a respected authority within the community. She is good-humored but does not suffer fools. Aunt Eller keeps the peace while holding a protective eye over Laurey and Curly. She tends to see the good in everyone.
CURLY — A handsome young cowboy of great skill (and he knows it), Curly hails himself as the “best bronc buster” in the territory. He is in pursuit of Laurey and doesn’t quite understand why she hasn’t fallen instantly for him.
LAUREY — Aunt Eller’s niece, growing into a young lady, Laurey is at an age where she wants so many things. Independent and fiercely stubborn, Laurey questions social expectations. While her affection leans to Curly, she is attracted to Jud as well, though he scares her.
JUD FRY — Aunt Eller and Laurey’s farmhand, Jud lives in a smokehouse, where he displays farm tools and postcards of scantily clad women. A social outcast, he has a murky past. Lonely and misunderstood, Jud is desperate for connection, making his desire for Laurey both heartbreaking and potentially dangerous.
WILL PARKER — Charming and goofily thick-headed, Will is a prize-winning steer roper who just got back from the Kansas City Fair, where he won the $50 he needs to marry Ado Annie, his promised girl. Despite his poor judgment and comic inability to handle money, Will is determined to sway his gal. This is a dancing role.
ADO ANNIE CARNES — Playful and open-hearted, Ado Annie has just discovered what it means to be an attractive young girl. Promised to Will Parker, she nonetheless agrees to accompany Ali Hakim to the Box Social while Will is away. Which man does she prefer?
ALI HAKIM — A Persian peddler who has wandered into town, Ali Hakim is an opportunist, a shrewd businessman, and a bit of a player. Cornered into marrying Ado Annie, he must think and act quickly to reverse his fortune.
ANDREW CARNES — He is very protective of his daughter, Ado Annie. He doesn’t want Will Parker to marry her because he believes the cowboy’s life to be risky and unreliable. To prove this isn’t true he asks for Will to obtain $50 in order to have his daughter’s hand in marriage. He is a rancher, and doesn’t feel very kindly toward cowboys in general.
GERTIE CUMMINGS — From the next town over, she has eyes on Curly and isn’t waiting around for Laurey to say no to him. She has a unique laugh.
OTHER CHARACTERS:
IKE SKIDMORE — Owns the ranch where the Box Social takes place.
Fred, Slim, Cord Elam, Jess, Chalmers, Mike, Joe, Sam
Ellen, Kate, Sylvie, Armina, Aggie