Clymer’s community theater production company, Cast and Company — which has not done a musical performance in six years — will be returning this year with a performance of “Oklahoma!” set for the beginning of May. Performances will take place in the Student Performance Center of Clymer Central School, 8672 East Main Street, beginning at 7 p.m. on May 8, 10, 16 and 17. Tickets are currently available in Clymer at Neckers Company General Store, the Clymer Hardware and the Clymer-French Creek Library, and will also be available at the door on performance nights.

Cast and Company’s production of “Oklahoma!” is directed by Debby Schurman, with other leadership including musical director Daland Perry, Choreographer Jen Beal and Assistant Director Molly Brown.

The cast includes; Evangeline Johnson as Laurey Williams, Noah Skarzenski as Curly McLain, Josh Hesier as Jud Fry, Molly Brown as Aunt Eller, Luke Hurd as Will Parker, Alexis Heiser as Ado Annie, Ashley Scarem as Gertie Cummings, Cameron Collins as Ali Hakim, Jeffrey Perry as Cord Elam, Mark Humes as Ike Skidmore, Chris Heslink as Andrew Carnes, Barry Neckers as Amos Carnes, Hayden Heiser as Fred, Matthew Redlecki as Sam, Bryce Skarzenski as Slim, Jackson Wells as Joe, Vienna Durfey as Vivian, Vanessa Lutton as Armina, Brayten Lutton as Mike, Solki Martin as Kate, Milka Woodrig as Sylvie, Kara Collins as Virginia, Harleigh Faulkner as Ellen, Alyssa Pratt as Alice, Sara Holthouse as Aggie, Laurie Holthouse as Lottie, Alice Cook as Mabel, Carol Fielding as Rachel, Meredith Kenyon as Hilda, Monica Jones as Alma, and Halle Jean Raven, Leah Jackson, Anika Collins and Natalie Kenyon as townspeople.

“Oklahoma!” is set in the farm country outside the town of Claremore, Indiana Territory in 1906 and tells the story of farm girl Laurey Williams and her courtship by two rival suitors, cowboy Curly McLain and the sinister farmhand, Jud Fry. At the same time, a secondary romance between cowboy Will Parker and the flirtatious Ado Annie makes up another part of the story.

Luke Hurd is pictured practicing Will Parker’s song “Kansas City” along with Molly Brown as Aunt Eller during practice for “Oklahoma!” P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

Following Cast and Company’s six year break, which came mostly because of the Covid-19 pandemic and some participation concerns, one challenge faced with this year’s musical, director Debby Schurman said, was losing a lot of kids that used to be interested and participate every year while in high school, who have now graduated and left the area. She acknowledged that a lot of the cast this year is made up of new people, but that many others were lost during that break, though she added that those that stayed in the area continued to participate in the musical as adults.

Cast and Company board president, Beth Collins, said the board is excited to be able to bring back the community musical this year.

“It’s great to bring back a community tradition and involve the full town again,” Collins said. “It’s a rebuilding year of getting new blood while leaning on those who’ve made the shows so great in the past. It’s so much fun to be back on the stage again.”

Cast and Company’s newest board member and veteran of many Cast and Company musicals — including the current one — Laurie Holthouse, agreed with Collins, saying she was also excited to be back and that audiences should be ready for “another great production that we have been known for.”

Musical Director Daland Perry agreed that Cast and Company has gathered a good reputation for their musicals in the past, and that this time will be no different.

Pictured are Luke Hurd, Matthew Redlecki, Hayden Heiser, Bryce Skarzenski, and Brayton Lutton during practice for Cast and Company’s “Oklahoma!” P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

“People should flock with passion to see this show because of Cast and Company’s past productions and how professional they were,” Perry said. “We are compared to Broadway and off Broadway shows in this little town of Clymer, NY. It is truly a community event and production incorporating talent from this area of the state.”

Additionally, Perry said that “Oklahoma!” is a great story about life and human relationships, something he said remains important in today’s world.

Collins added that audiences should be interested and excited to come to see “Oklahoma!” as it is a classic musical that many will know.

“It has humor that spans the ages and catchy songs that can’t help but draw you in and cheer for the various roles — and villains — of the play,” Collins said.

While Cast and Company is celebrating their return after a six year hiatus, this musical is a bittersweet one for Schurman, as it will be her final one as a director.

“It’s definitely bittersweet,” Schurman said. “I’ve been here since 1995, that’s 30 years. I’m still using props that we built in 1995. I really do love doing this job. It’s very rewarding. My biggest reward is being able to have an impact on the ‘littles’ and also to see the camaraderie and great friendships that develop on the stage. This experience will always be remembered. I am grateful for all the adults who keep coming back and their crazy antics. I will definitely miss being the director, but I’m not leaving town and I will be available to help if needed. It really truly takes a village to do these musicals and I am grateful to have been involved in them.”

Even with Schurman leaving — and with Perry saying this might possibly be his last performance as well — the Cast and Company board has every intention of returning in two years during the off-year of Clymer’s Tulip Festival as they used to do in the past. It was noted that the Cast and Company community musicals could not function without community members to be in it, sponsor it, and come be a part of the audience.

“Community Musicals continue to operate because of the support of the audience and the community,” Collins said. “It takes many to make these happen, and Clymer is blessed with the best.”

Perry added to that, saying that Cast and Company productions include a unique blend of students and adults in a very familiar atmosphere, putting on a show to entertain the community.

“The bonds and friendship stays with all of those involved throughout the years,” Perry said. “Theater brings everyone together. Skills learned through doing a show help people in their future. Theater for life.”

For more information on Cast and Company’s production of “Oklahoma!” visit Cast and Company on Facebook.