August 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre
brings Oklahoma! to Indianapolis
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s first collaboration now on stage
INDIANAPOLIS – An enduring all-American musical brings many fresh faces to Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre this month as it presents Oklahoma!, the very first collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. This high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys in Western Indian territory at the turn of the century is now on stage through Oct. 5.
The road to true love never runs smoothly. Two headstrong romantics: Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, find love's journey is as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road as they strive to make a new life together in a brand-new state.
Based on Lynn Riggs’ play Green Grow the Lilacs, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! first opened on Broadway in 1943 and has enjoyed numerous revivals since due to its popular and unforgettable score that includes “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” “I Can’t Say No,” and of course, the title song: “Oklahoma!”
More than half of the cast members are making their mainstage debuts at Beef & Boards, including Eric Morris as Curly, and Grace Anne Field as his love interest, Laurey. Other newcomers include Daniel S. Hines as Will Parker, Brian Sutow as Ali Hackem, Mary-Elizabeth Milton as Gertie Cummins, Jordan Moody as Shorty, and Leah DeWalt and Devan Mathias, who round out the ensemble.
Licia Watson, just seen reprising her role as Vivian Snustad in the Church Basement Ladies’ A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement, returns to play Aunt Eller, while Timmy Hays takes the role of Ado Annie. Beef & Boards audience favorites Jeff Stockberger and Doug King appear as Pa Carnes and Cord Elam, respecitvely, while Jonah Winston plays Jud Fry and Peter Scharbrough plays Slim.
Oklahoma! is on stage for 51 performances through Oct. 5 in the intimate space of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Tickets range from $38.50 to $63.50 and include Chef Odell Ward’s dinner buffet, prepared in-house for each performance, and select beverages.
For reservations, call the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664 anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more – contact the Group Sales Department for more details. For more information, including complete show schedule, visit beefandboards.com.
Oklahoma! is sponsored in part by National Bank of Indianapolis.
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Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Indiana’s only year-round professional dinner theatre,
has been serving up exceptional entertainment since 1973.
FACT SHEET
WHAT: Oklahoma!
By Richard Rogers & Oscar Hammerstein
Sponsored in part by the National Bank of Indianapolis
WHEN: August 21 through October 5, 2014
Weekday/Saturday Evenings
Doors open at 6 p.m.; Buffet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Show at 8 p.m.
August: 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
September: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30
October: 2, 3, 4
Weekday Matinees
Doors open at 11 a.m.; Buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Show at 1 p.m.
August: 27
September: 3, 10, 17, 18, 24
October: 1, 2
Sunday Evenings
Doors open at 5 p.m.; Buffet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Show at 7 p.m.
August: 24, 31
September: 7, 14, 21, 28
Sunday Matinees
Doors open at noon; Buffet from 12:15 to 1 p.m.; Show at 1:30 p.m.
August: 24, 31
September: 7, 14, 21, 28
October: 5
WHO: Director Elizabeth Stark Choreographer Doug King
Musical Director Kristy Templet Scenic Designer Michael Layton Costume Designer Jill Kelly Lighting Designer Ryan Koharchik
Starring
Eric Morris as Curly Grace Anne Field as Laurey
Licia Watson as Aunt Eller Daniel S. Hines as Will Parker
Timmy Hays as Ado Annie Jonah Winston as Jud Fry
Brian Sutow as Ali Hackem Jeff Stockberger as Pa Carnes
Mary-Elizabeth Milton as Gertie Cummins Doug King as Cord Elam
Peter Scharbrough as Slim Jordan Moody as Shorty
Ensemble: Leah DeWalt and Devan Mathias
WHERE: Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre
9301 N. Michigan Rd., Indianapolis, 46268
TICKETS: Available by calling the Box Office at 317.872.9664 between 10 a.m. & 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays. Tickets range from $38.50 to $63.50 and include Chef Odell Ward’s dinner buffet, fruit & salad bar, and select beverages. Discounts are also available children and for groups of 20 or more. Call for details.
WEB SITE: For more information or show schedule, visit beefandboards.com