By Kate O’Hara (December 13, 2002)

"Oklahoma" usually conjures up images of farms, endless plains, and cowboys, but in Mason’s case, singing and especially dancing should come to mind. For the annual spring musical, drama director Frank Marino has chosen "Oklahoma," a timeless Rodgers and Hammerstein extravaganza. Auditions for the show will take place next Monday and Tuesday. 

"Oklahoma!" tells of fun, love and romance in the lives of the families living in the Oklahoma territory at the turn of the last century. Originally performed at the St. James Theatre in New York City, the show opened in 1943 and ran for an incredible 2,212 performances. The musical contains a number of songs that even non-Broadway enthusiasts can recognize, such as "OKLAHOMA!" and "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" and "People Will Say We’re In Love." Marino chose the show as somewhat of a last resort. "I had originally wanted to present ‘Grease,’ but we were refused the rights because a professional traveling version of the show would be performing in our area at the same time we would be presenting the show, so I went with ‘Oklahoma because it was on my original list, and I knew we could get the rights to perform it."

Drama director Frank Marino, here directing Opus Zero in last evening's "Winter Concert,"  announced yesterday that "Oklahoma!" and not the expected "Grease" will be the spring musical. Marino will hold auditions Monday and Tuesday. (Photo by Meri Kanashiro)

Marino hopes to include a large cast, with a number of complex dance scenes and the usual large choral numbers. He plans on relying on the talents of music director Ms. Mary Jo Webster and her orchestra. Marino said he has "high hopes" for the show and he looks forward to "a large turnout at auditions" on Monday and Tuesday.