subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Mon, Nov 23 2009 

Published: July 07, 2009 12:08 am    print this story  

CITY OF LOCKPORT: 'Oklahoma' comes to Palace Theatre this weekend

By April Amadon
E-mail April

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

A classic Broadway musical will hit the stage in Lockport this weekend, as Curtain Up Productions puts on a version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!”

Rehearsals are wrapping up for the show, which opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and continues through next weekend.

“It is the classic show,” Director Christopher Parada said. “Everybody knows it, whether you’re young or old.”

The musical, written in 1943 by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, is set in the Oklahoma Territory in 1906. The story revolves around cowboy Curly’s romance with farm girl Laurey, and the show includes songs such as “People Will Say We’re in Love,” “Many a New Day,” “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’ ” and the title song, “Oklahoma!”

The musical was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film in 1955.

The Palace show features musical direction by D.J. Pimm and choreography by Peter Schratz.

Behind the scenes, Parada said a lot of work has gone into the sets.

“It’s very big, very detailed,” he said. “The dance numbers are huge.”

For this production, Curtain Up staff traveled to New York City and held auditions for the part of Curly. They hired John Kownacki, a performer who was recently part of the East Coast tour of Cinderella.

It’s the first time the Palace has hired an actor from New York City, Parada said.

During the production, Kownacki has been living in Lockport and teaching at the Palace Theatre’s Performing Arts School.

“He’s very good, (with) a beautiful voice,” Parada said.

The cast also includes Buffalo natives Kelly Jakiel and Steve Copps. Parada said Jakiel has performed at Studio Arena and Artpark and came to Lockport to audition.

“People are traveling to come audition for these shows,” he said. “(Jakiel) heard of the reputation of the theater and the shows we’ve done. ... (The Palace) is starting to take shape of a more respected theater company.”

After “Oklahoma!” finishes its run, the theater has several shows planned. Next season, the stage will play host to productions of “Nunsense,” “Scrooge! The Musical,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Annie Get Your Gun” and the play “You Can’t Take It With You,” Parada said.

“It’s a very comedic season,” he said. “They’re all happy shows, kid-friendly.”

For more information, visit www.lockportpalacetheatre.com or call 438-1130.

Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.

print this story  

Photos


Andrea Clare/Contributor Lockport, NY - John Kownacki takes the role of Curly in the Palace Theatre production, Oklahoma. The play is scheduled to open Thursday. None/ (Click for larger image)


Andrea Clare/Contributor Lockport, NY - Kelly Jakiel plays Laurey and John Kownacki plays the role of Curly in the Palace Theatre production of Oklahoma. None/ (Click for larger image)


Andrea Clare/Contributor Lockport, NY - Jen Nevoni plays Aunt Eller and John Kownacki takes the role of Curly in the Palace Theatre production of Oklahoma. None/ (Click for larger image)


Andrea Clare/Contributor Lockport, NY - Matt Iwanski, far right, plays Will Parker a Cowboy in the Palace Theatre production, Oklahoma. None/ (Click for larger image)



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Featured Jobs

PHONE SALES
PHONE sales, great pay, exp. a plus, nice NT office, FT/PT, hrly. +, Pete or Mike, 694-1251...>MORE

Maintenance Technician
MAINTENANCE Technician, FT, exp. needed in electrical, plumbing, heating & cooling, Apply in person bet. 9 & 5 at 6751 ...>MORE


INSURANCE - CSR with Personal Lines exp., for Lockport area. $25,000 salary. 433-7504...>MORE

Warehouse
Warehouse, Assembly
Production & Cleaning
1st, 2nd & 3rd shifts
Sanborn, Grand Island
Amherst & Tona
...>MORE

DRIVER
Driver, light pick up & delivery, need own car, no WNY, valid NYS driver lic., good pay 694-1251...>MORE

Grill Cook
GRILL COOK & Waitresses, exp only, full time. Apply within 2021 Main St. Nia Falls ...>MORE

Cook
COOK full time.
Apply in person only,
Augie’s Diner,
2470 Military Rd.
...>MORE

Customer Service
CUSTOMER SERVICE:
Altitude Marketing is one of Dish Network’s top national retailers and has immediate FT customer
...>MORE

SHIPPING CLERK
Shipping Clerk, p/t, 30-35 hrs. wk., exp. in warehouse environment, knowledge of Word/Excel, data entry, UPS, freight ch...>MORE

Recreational Aide
Recreational Aide - Full/part time. Performs hand on activities to include crafts, cooking, recreational and social acti...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

Ford 1998 F150
FORD 1998 F150, standard cab, 4wd, excellent shape, $3495.
716-525-2889
...>MORE

Dodge 1993 Dakota 4x4
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE

Yamaha 1982, 750
YAMAHA 1982, 750, runs perfect,
low mileage, $895.
716-525-2889
...>MORE

Monte Carlo Z24 1998
MONTE CARLO Z24, 1998, runs good, average miles, excellent shape, $1800 , 990-2303...>MORE

Ford 1999 Windstar
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE

1996 Ford Escort
FORD 1996 Escort 4 cyl, 2 dr, exc cond in & out, no rust, 1 owner, only 61k orig mi, $2195. 523-7102...>MORE

Ford 2001 Taurus
Ford 2001 Taurus Station wagon, well maintained, 112,000 miles Siver ext. 4 dr, auto, asking $2800/BO. 716-772-2454....>MORE

1999 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 1999 Caravan, 33, V6, auto, A/C, 99k miles, good cond., runs great. $1950. 525-7796...>MORE

See all ads

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index