Silver Spring, MD (03/20/09)--Oklahoma, as a state, would have a hard time fitting in the auditorium. However, the musical Oklahoma! will fit perfectly as the Stage Company tries it on this spring.

Set in 1906, when Native American territory is becoming Oklahoma, the show focuses on two stubborn lovers named Curley and Laurey, while a secondary love triangle takes place in the background. Says junior Jacob Perry, who plays Curley, "My favorite part of Oklahoma!, besides its enchanting musical score, is the way the characters and the setting… develop and reveal more and more about themselves."

With only one month to get their act together, the Stage Company has to sacrifice a large chunk of their time. They practice from 2:30 to 5:00 every day after school until the first show. "Rehearsals the week before a show opens are usually the most time-consuming and physically demanding," says junior Becky Joiner, who plays Ado Annie.

Adds Perry, "The hours are long and tedious but the rewards of our hard work will be sweet."

The transition from serious musicals like Les Miserables to the lighthearted Oklahoma! was hard for some of the cast to accept. "I think we can all agree that doing this show is going to be really fun to watch and also to perform." says senior Lisa Staples, who also plays Ado Annie. "The musical promises to be just as technically stunning and musically entertaining as anything else we’ve done."

"For a production to be successful, the cast and crew have to be fully committed to the rehearsal process," says sophomore Ashley Larkin, who plays Laurey. This includes memorizing the musical score, the script, the blocking for scenes, and learning the dance numbers. They even have to learn a southern accent, which is new to many of the cast members.

The show is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm April 24, 25, 26 and May 1 and 2. "Everyone is important to the production," says sophomore Daniel Arias, who plays Ali Hakim. "If they all realize this, the show will be a smash."