Classic American musical has lessons for our times

“Oklahoma!,” the first collaboration between Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, will be presented by the Theater Department of Columbia College Chicago Dec. 6-16 in the Getz Theater, 72 E. 11th St.

Tickets are $10 to $14 each, with half price tickets for senior citizens and students. Not-for-profit cultural and civic organizations, social service agencies, schools and senior citizen groups can arrange for group tickets free of charge, pending availability. For a season brochure, tickets and further information call (312) 344-6126.

The production is directed by Columbia faculty member Estelle Spector. A veteran of musical theater, Spector has been teaching in the Theater Department at Columbia for 15 years and is the coordinator of the department’s musical theater program. She chose this show “because it’s a classic.”

“I wanted to deal with a show from the golden era,” Spector said. “It gives the students great exposure to what made this particular American art form great. And, working with 26 students to perfect a complex production teaches them important skills about cooperation and collaboration. Plus, it’s a really fun play!”

She also feels the ideas dramatized in the play are important. “Hammerstein’s main theme here is about people working together. The Couples must work together to make their relationships happen. The Farmers and the Ranchers must learn to live and work together and understand each other despite some very big differences. You’ve got two groups from diametrically opposed perspectives and it’s an absolute imperative that they learn each other’s ways and worlds and live together in peace for the greater good of the community. That’s always been a powerful lesson, but never more so than right now.”

Columbia faculty are pitching in to make “Oklahoma!” a success. Choreography is by Tammy Mader; musical direction by Larrance Fingerhut; fight choreography by David Woolley; lighting design by Emile Boulos; costume design by Frances Maggio; and voice coaching by Albert Williams. Student Lisa Bendrick is working as stage manager and student David Siegel is designing the sets.

The department’s Couch Potato program starts up again this year with an open dance class, led by choreographer Tammy Mader, after the Wednesday, Dec. 12, performance. See the show, then learn how it’s done. The dance class is free, but places must be reserved in advance by calling (312) 344-6104.