Fairfield Ludlowe's Actors Head to 'Oklahoma!'

People might say that Allison Benko and Steve Autore are in love. But it’s just their characters that are getting together. Benko and Autore will take the stage in the lead roles in Fairfield Ludlowe High School’s performances of the classic musical “Oklahoma!” this Friday and Saturday.

The two play Curly and Laurey, young Oklahomans who fall in love but must deal with farmhand Jud Fry (played by Terence Edwards), who has his sights on Laurey. Another love triangle also develops, with Will (Matt Zilinyi) falling for Ado Annie (Cassie Carroll), but Annie develops feelings for the traveling peddler man, Ali Hakim (Amir Naeem).

Together, the young cast will perform the musical’s classic songs, including “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin,’” ”People Will Say We’re in Love,” “All ‘er Nuthin’” and “Oklahoma!” The first act will also end with a special Dream Ballet choreographed by Ludlowe alumna Simone DePaolo.

Rounding out the cast are Heather Hayes as Aunt Heller, Luke Baker as Annie’s Paw; Marianna Braganca as Gertie, a young girl trying to steal Curly from Laurey; Brendan Geiling as Ike Skidmore; Andrew Wysocki as Cord Elam, the sheriff; James Purcell, Sohail Sumra, Chris Browne, Grey Walker and Ian Foulk as Will’s Friends; and Tricia Sorresso, Margot Hibbs, Ryann Casey, Gillian Christian, Kaitlyn Carruthers, Madeline Tommins, Miriam Goldfield and Madeline Marone as Laurey’s friends. The Oklahoman Chorus includes Katie Barber, Nicki Brown, Katie Burns, Susanna Casey, Eve Korte, Caroline Lawlor, Sara Redeghieri, Sarah Roussel and Ashley Vazquez.

Working behind the scenes will be assistant director Lauren McCardle; apprentice director Katie O’Neill; student choreographers Cassie Carroll and Tessa Duke; set crew leader Kendall Smith; set crew assistant Mackenzie Murray; set crew members Sarah Arrigo, Chase Babikian, Lilly Boyd, Lauren Brown, Cassandra Condon, Jacob Jenssen, Rebecca Giraud, Charles Haviland, Noel Paris and Vanessa Ricchetti; light crew Connor Simcox and Morgan Moore; makeup artist Caitlyn Felner; hairdresser Lexi Criss; and costume supervisor Sonia Otharsson, with costume leader Elsa Johnson, costume crew assistant Kelsi Franzino and costume crew members Lilje Lawson, Madeline Marone,  Juliette Seaffer, Palace Shaw, Chandler Sullivan and Nia Thomas. The props leader is Erin McCarthy, working with props crew members Anna Dwyer, Ali Fable and Jennifer LaPonte. Publicity will be handled by Ian Foulk. The program and house manager is Carolyn Sohmer.

Ludlowe’s production of “Oklahoma” will take the stage Friday and Saturday, starting both nights at 8 at the Fairfield Ludlowe High School auditorium, 785 Unquowa Road. There is also a matinee show Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8, and are available by phone at 203-255-7201 or 203-255-7240, or by email to fkondziela@fairfield.k12.ct.us for information and reservations.

Are you planning on attending a school play this spring? Send photos and your own reviews to gcanuel@mainstreetconnect.us.

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