2008 neighborsgo Choice Award Winner!
Best Theatre Arts Venue
Dallas Morning News Southern Denton County

Greater Lewisville Community Theatre

Silver Celebration Season

Oklahoma!

Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Music by Richard Rodgers
Based on a book by Lyn Riggs
Directed by Connie Salsman

July 11–August 3

Oklahoma! was the first American musical where songs and dances grew out of the characters and their emotions rather than just the story or the need for singing and dancing. It was also the first musical with a “rural” theme and the first to have its score recorded. GLCT first brought Oklahoma! to Lewisville audiences at the Vista Ridge Amphitheater in 1992.

Tickets $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (65+) and juniors (under 18).
Showtimes: Friday & Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m., Sunday afternoons at 3:00 p.m.

Nancy Ewing Friedman (Aunt Eller), last seen as Miss Maudie for GLCT’s anniversary production of To Kill a Mockingbird, is happy to be back in another GLCT summer musical.  Previous appearances include Gypsy, Cabaret, Guys and Dolls, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Last Night of Ballyhoo, Dancing at Lugnasa, The Female Odd Couple, Damn Yankees, and The Sisters Rosensweig .  A native of Oklahoma, Nancy is happy to finally realize her 30 year dream of being in a production of one of her favorite musicals.  Thanks Connie.  Nancy studied theatre at the University of Oklahoma and would like to send her love to the stars of her life, Harry and Spencer. Kaitlin Lory  I is THRILLED to be returning to the GLCT stage to reprise her  role as Laurey (Trinity Troupe, 2005)!  A 2005 graduate of LHS, she is studying education/business at Oklahoma City University.  Love and thanks to all for their ongoing support.  Whether the weather!
David Ploof (Curly) is thrilled to be making his debut at GLCT.  His favorite previous roles include Jesus in Godspell, Dr. Caius in Falstaff, Starveling in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Masetto in Don Giovanni, and Gherardo in Gianni Schicchi .  He is a proud graduate of the U of M & BGSU.  A banker by day, David is excited to be singing some place other than the shower and now counts more music notes than money.  Hurray!  Thank you to my friends and family for all of your encouragement & support. Rachel Joy Robertson (Ado Annie) holds a B.A. in sociology and a minor in psychology from UNT. Her recent stage credits include Urinetown, The Full Monty, and Man of LaMancha . Rachel thanks her family for their support and encouragement. She sends her love to her boyfriend, Kyle, her best friend, Tim, and her agent, Benny Bojangles.
Eric Rodgers (Jud) is a long time performer at GLCT and is proud to be a part of the play, Oklahoma. Although theater is a great enjoyment of mine, I only saw the film of Oklahoma for the first time on Saturday before auditions! This is a challenging role as I am always cast as the nice guy. I hope you enjoy.  A special thanks to Connie Salsman, whom I have worked with in many GLCT shows, and always learn great things from. I would also like to send a special shout out to my two favorite people in the world, Kent and Valerie - Love you dearly! Charles Carroll (Will Parker) proudly makes his GLCT debut. He was last seen in the world-premiere of The Makeover as Keith. He has performed in other area productions.  Starting a new chapter in the fall, he begins law school at Baylor University. Joshua 1:9
Neil Ferguson (Andrew Carnes) is a fourth generation Dallasite and a Lewisville resident of 18 years with wife of 31 years, Jean. Featured yearly in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World for his pioneering research in theoretical mathematics, Neil works as a self-employed technology consultant. A member of the Musical Feast Choral Society of Lewisville, he is excited to be making his GLCT debut along with his daughter, Claire. An interesting note:  Neil’s father served in the Army Air Corp alongside fellow navigator Gordon MacRae, who stared in the original movie version of Oklahoma. Jennifer Atkins (Gertie) makes her second appearance at GLCT, appearing previously as Hannah the Irish maid in Little Women .  A longtime Lewisville resident, her love of the theater began in elementary school and remains to this day.  During her spare time, Jennifer teaches literature at Shadow Ridge Middle.  Jennifer thanks her loving husband Andy for letting her give so much of summer for this show, and dedicates this performance to her son Connor who helped her work on Gertie’s “silly, funny laugh.”  Much love to all friends and family!
Leslie Snyder (Ali Hakim) is proud to be the only returning cast member from GLCT's production of Oklahoma 16 years ago.  Leslie performs with community & church theater, has appeared with the Dallas Opera at Fair Park and is a member of the Murder Mystery Players Inc (Dave & Busters, Dallas).  His “real” job involves robots and computer chips for STMicroelectronics.  Apart from being a StarTrek nut, uh . . . ENTHUSIAST,  he enjoys video editing, frisbee golf, Renaissance Faires, and spending time with his wife Sheri and daughter, Reya. Victor Johnson (Cord Elam) debuts proudly at GLCT.  He played The Centurion in the Easter cantata of the same name -- made into a musical play.  He also played George Porter in The Footsteps of Doves .  Singing Bass in VFM (Voices of Flower Mound) and starting early retirement, he is looking forward to following his passions. 
Gary Glenewinkel, Jr. (Slim) returns to the stage after more than thirty years' absence, trading in his fifth grade HMS Pinafore Royal Navy uniform for a cowboy hat and boots.  Born and raised in east Texas, he developed a special, ah, appreciation for the folks over yonder on the north side of the Red River and is proud to pay tribute to the land of waving wheat, where tornados are kept as pets out in the back yard. Harry R. Friedman (Fred) is pleased to be back at the GLCT “summer camp.”  Last seen in Gypsy, he directed To Kill a Mockingbird for GLCT earlier this season and spent 6 years here as Artistic Director, producing more than 30 shows.  Harry has a BFA in theatre from the Meadows School of the Arts at SMU and has produced, directed, designed, and even acted on stages all over the metroplex.  It is particularly sweet to be able to do this show with his wonderful wife Nancy and darling son Spencer.  Love to them both.
Natalie Hamilton (Vivian) is thrilled to be returning to GLCT.  Previously she performed in Gypsy as Agnes/Amanda.  She would like to thank her friends and family for their support and give praise to the Lord for all of life’s blessings. B. Michelle Nowling (Virginia) is a Montana native who is new to Dallas and theatre.  She holds a B.A. in History, is making her stage debut at GLCT and loving every minute of it!  Michelle would like to thank her family and friends across the country for their love and support.
Rachel Thompson (Kate) is happy to make her musical theater debut in Oklahoma!  with GLCT. She is thankful for the love and support of her family and friends. Maria Sosa (Ellen) is a music therapy major at Texas Woman's University and is excited to be making her debut at GLCT. She would like to thank her family and friends for the love, encouragement, and support!
Judith Bernstein (Chorus) is making her GLCT stage debut.  Usually an audience member, she played Sister Sophia in The Sound Of Music at Studio B.  A member of Voices of Flower Mound and the Musical Feast Choral Society, Judith has also been a cantorial soloist at Congregation Kol Ami.  She dedicates these performances to the memory of Mary Dolan, her elementary school music teacher Pam Lack (Chorus) is excited to be making her GLCT debut.  She was last seen in the Trietsch production of Just Beyond .  Pam attends Grace Community A/G and sings with their choir and praise team.  She would like to thank her husband Kent for his encouragement and support!
Dianne M White (Chorus) debuted on the New Jersey Community Theatre stages in November of 2001 and performed in Pinocchio, Jekyll and Hyde and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. You may have seen her onstage recently in Just Beyond at the Trietsch Memorial United Church in Flower Mound TX.  She is delighted to be in the chorus of Oklahoma. Claire Ferguson (Chorus) is debuting at GLCT. She was recently in the LHS North freshman production of 15 Reasons Not To Be in a Play .  An award winning pianist and cellist since the age of 5, she recently participated in All-Region and District orchestras and competed in state UIL on cello.
Cassie Kidder (Chorus) is very excited to make her GLCT debut. She has done numerous Talent Shows and competitions for singing. She just completed the 8th grade at Huffines Middle School, and will be a freshman at Lewisville High School. Cassie is very excited to learn about musical theater and be part of this wonderful production. Gary Glenewinkel, III (Trey) (Chorus) is proud to make his acting debut here at GLCT after several workshops at Dallas Childrens Theater and KD Studio Actors Conservatory. He enjoys sports and playing the drums.
Spencer Ewing Friedman (Chorus) is glad to be back here at GLCT.  Last seen as Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird, his first show was Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.  Spencer has also been seen in Taming of the Shrew, Guys and Dolls and Gypsy.  He enjoys fencing, video games and his 2 beagles.  All his love and thanks go to his mom and dad for first getting him on this stage.  Thanks Connie for putting me in Oklahoma. Marissa Centilli-Boyd (Choreographer) is very excited to be choreographing for GLCT. Marissa has been dancing since the age of 3, but isn't new to the theater. She was the Dance Captain in Godspell at TMUMC as well as a dancer in Jesus Christ Superstar. Marissa is currently the Assistant Director at Footlights Dance Studio in Lewisville/Flower Mound and is the Director of Footlights' Drill Teams. She and husband Jeff live in Little Elm.
Connie Salsman (Director) is thrilled to be directing her first summer musical.  She has worked on almost 40 productions at GLCT, including directing The Foreigner, The Rainmaker, My Three Angels, Lone Star/Laundry & Bourbon, and The Uninvited .  This cast and production team has worked so hard, it has been a rewarding experience.  As always, she is inspired by the support of her family and friends and is grateful for all they do to help, especially Rick and Aidan.  (And thanks again Rob, for your help on the backdrop!).
Erin Ball (Assistant Director/Stage Manager) is pleased to be back at GLTC after working as the scenic artist/design consultant on Proposals here last April.  Oklahoma! has always been a favorite musical of hers, so she was excited to have this opportunity to work on it.  Upcoming projects include set design and stage management of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change coming in September, and she will make her directing debut with Side Man at GLCT in April 2009.
E. Margo Dillard (Music Director) has been the organist at First United Methodist Church, Lewisville and has taught private organ and piano in Lewisville and Denton since 1981.  She is the accompanist for the Voices of Flower Mound and the music director and accompanist for productions ofTrinity Troupe at First United Methodist.  She has been involved in musical theater for over 35 years, for high schools and colleges in Alabama, Georgia, Lewisville, Flower Mound, the Colony, and Coppell, as well as the Poco Mas Players and the Columbus Opera House.  She is the mother of three cocker spaniels and a border collie and resides in Denton..
Becky Rankin (Costumer)   has enjoyed working with this director and cast more than any other in her 38 years of making costumes! She wishes to express her gratitude for everyone’s generosity and helpfulness at every turn. As usual, it was a great collaborative effort
John Damian Sr. (Lighting Designer / Facilities Manager ) has had the pleasure of working at GLCT for nearly ten years.  John has been an avid lighting designer for many shows including To Kill a Mockingbird, The Sound of Music, Cactus Flower, The Rainmaker, Nuncrackers, Enchanted April and 84 Charing Cross Road .   He has worked sets, lights and the many renovation projects for the theatre.  John realizes that without his wife and family’s support, he would not be able to continue to enjoy this wondrous adventure.

© 2008 Greater Lewisville Community Theatre