From The Great American Song Book: CAP Presents Oklahoma

The Chelsea Area Players’ (CAP) raised the curtain on Broadway’s most decorated team, Rogers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma June 12 – 14, at the Ron Mead Auditorium. Oklahoma premiered on Broadway in 1943, at the start of the golden age of musicals.

It is set in the early 1900s, telling the story of the conflict between farmers and the cowmen, one group growing crops, the other with grazing cattle. It also highlights the struggles that have existed for farmers for decades. It has been reported that in 2025-26, bankruptcies and suicides among farmers have increased. Director Rachel Slupe wrote, “this show is dedicated to those who find themselves in a lonely room. Please allow someone to open the door.”

Community Theatre:

There is a charm that is unique to community theatre that differs from professional productions. Community theatre extends opportunities to perform on-stage, regardless of talent. Backstage activities rely upon volunteers. CAP’s Oklahoma featured some audio issues, singers who sang sightly off-key and choreography that wasn’t perfectly coordinated. But that is the charm of community theatre. You see people who are volunteering their time, to do something for the love of doing it.

Meet The Cast:

Elijah Boye (Curley) and Lindsey Dodge (Laurey) singing Surrey With The Fringe On Top. Photo courtesy of Chelsea Area Players.

Elijah Boye, an EMU student, plays Curly, who is smitten with Laurey, portrayed by Lindsey Dodge. Both actors have strong singing voices and made beautiful music together. Dodge and Boye sing the memorable “People Will Say We’re In Love” in perfect two-part harmony. Boye sings “Surrey With The Fringe On Top” and “What A Beautiful Morning” while Dodge’s soprano voice filled the auditorium with “Many A New Day” and “Out Of My Dreams”.

They are joined by Pamla White (Aunt Eller), Crosby Slupe (Will Parker), Marla Moore (Ada Annie), Ryan Houle (Ali Hakim), Carrie Ausmus (Gertie) and Michael Cicirelli as the menacing Jud Fry.

Pamela White as Aunt Eller. Photo courtesy of Cheslea Area Players.

Michael Cicirelli as Jud Fry and Elijah Boye as Curley singing Poor Jud Is Dead. Photo courtesy Chelsea Area Players.

Foreground: Ryan Houle as Ali Hakim & men’s ensemble. Photo courtesy Chelsea Area Players.

Slupe and Moore have fun with “Kansas City”, “I Can’t Say No” and “All ‘er Nuthin”. Cicirelli plays a sullen, angry antagonist. He sings with Boye, the chilling “Poor Jud Is Dead”, then showing his internal desperation, sings “Lonely Room.”

Marla Moore (Ado Annie) & Crosby Slupe (Will). Photo courtesy Chelsea Area Players.

Ballet Chelsea & The Dream Ballet:

CAP has a unique partnership with Ballet Chelsea whose students were featured dancers in the production. What ranks as the highlight of the show is the “Dream Ballet”, part of the number “Out Of My Dreams.” Soledad Beck (Dream Laurey) was joined by Tommy Monroe (Dream Curley), Emily Schaefer (Dream Ado Annie) and Lucas Thacher (Dream Jud). The four put on a show for the ages, highlighted by backlighting that enhanced the dreamy quality of the number.

Emily Schaefer as Dream Ado Annie and feature dancers in Dream Ballet sequence.. Photo courtesy Chelsea Area Players.

Ms. Beck shined in her solo moments, demonstrating her superb ballet skills. All the dancers in the dream ballet sequence provided fifteen minutes of sizzling entertainment. Through their movement, the choreography highlighted the love story of Oklahoma as well as the loneliness and desperation, culminating in a sensational kick-line.

Soledad Beck as Dream Laurey with featured dancers doing a kick line in Dream Ballet sequence. Photo courtesy Chelsea Area Players.

Production Staff:

Rachel Slupe directed, with choreography by Meredith Nelson and vocal direction by Ken Davis. Kate Roebuck and Heather Scott were producers.

Oklahoma was far from a perfect musical, but CAP is community theatre as it was meant to be. With so many venues offering theatre, CAP remains a throwback to an entertainment style almost forgotten. Like Rogers & Hammerstein, the Chelsea Area Players represents the golden age of musicals.