May 25, 26, 31, June 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 1986
Rodgers and Hammerstein's big, bright musical, Oklahoma, set in the early days of the Territory, was the Players' 1986 presentation. Again Bob Nicholson directed. Robert G. Cooper was music director, Ken Michels was choreographer and Ruth Bradshaw the accompanist.
The "Surrey With the Fringe on Top" was pulled by a live horse—easier to manage in the outdoors. (see rear left in the picture above)
The Broadway musicals the Players enjoy often include dance numbers. Choreographers must devise dances that amateurs can perform on a dirt-floored, too-often wet stage. In the dance for "Everything's Up to Date in Kansas City," the men lifted the women to their hip level while the women tucked up their legs and extended one arm overhead. At a rehearsal, one pair of dancers, Douglas Winder and Christy Jensen switched roles, and Christy lifted Doug. Both director and choreographer thought it amusing and kept it in the show.
One rainy day during the dream ballet sequence, first one ballerina slipped and fell, then another and another on the muddy stage. They picked themselves up and gamely finished the dance despite the mud. After the show, audience members were overheard discussing the symbolism of this, how subtle clues were creeping in that this beautiful dream would, in fact, become a nightmare.
Total audience at the eight performances was 2,858
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