OKLAHOMA! Begins 8/21 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

An enduring all-American musical brings many fresh faces to Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre this August as it presents Oklahoma!, the very first collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. This high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys in Western Indian territory at the turn of the century is on stage Aug. 21 through Oct. 5.

The road to true love never runs smoothly. Two headstrong romantics: Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, find love's journey is as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road as they strive to make a new life together in a brand-new state.

Based on Lynn Riggs' play Green Grow the Lilacs, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! first opened on Broadway in 1943 and has enjoyed numerous revivals since due to its popular and unforgettable score that includes "Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'," "Surrey with the Fringe on Top," "I Can't Say No," and of course, the title song: "Oklahoma!"

More than half of the cast members are making their mainstage debuts at Beef & Boards, including Eric Morris as Curly, and Grace Field as his love interest, Laurey. Other newcomers include Daniel S. Hines as Will Parker, Brian Sutow as Ali Hackem, Mary-Elizabeth Milton as Gertie Cummins, Jordan Moody as Shorty, and Leah DeWalt and Devan Mathias, who round out the ensemble.

Licia Watson, just seen reprising her role as Vivian Snustad in the Church Basement Ladies' A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement, returns to play Aunt Eller, while Timmy Hays takes the role of Ado Annie. Beef & Boards audience favorites Jeff Stockberger and Doug King appear as Pa Carnes and Cord Elam, respecitvely, while Jonah Winston plays Jud Fry and Peter Scharbrough plays Slim.

Oklahoma! is on stage for 51 performances through Oct. 5 in the intimate space of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Tickets range from $38.50 to $63.50 and include Chef Odell Ward's dinner buffet, prepared in-house for each performance, and select beverages.

For reservations, call the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664 anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays. Discounts are available for children ages 3-15. Discounts are also available for groups of 20 or more - contact the Group Sales Department for more details.

For more information, including complete show schedule, visit beefandboards.com. Oklahoma! is sponsored in part by National Bank of Indianapolis.