The cast of Roger and Hammerstien’s Musical OKLAHOMA, being performed at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, doesn’t get stuck on the lyrics of the overture of OKLAHOMA or any of the other memorable songs in the play. The Renaissance Player’s vocals are robust with every bit of energy one would expect from such an unforgettable play.

The story is packed with fun and romance, with lots of humor and of course singing and dancing. From the first notes of “Oh, what a beautiful Mornin” to the last refrains of “Oklahoma” sung by the entire ensemble, this play delivers an enjoyable evening of excitement and entertainment. This rendition of Oklahoma includes a collaboration with Nashville In Motion, a professional contemporary dance troupe, for a unique dream sequence ballet.

The story takes place before Oklahoma became a state but the tale is timeless: two guys after the same gal. Two plot lines, romance and comedy, make for a lively musical. Curly, the cowboy ( played handsomely by Dale McCoy) is smitten with Laurey , the farm girl (beautifully done by Jenny Norris-Light), but the hired –hand, Jud Fry (powerfully portrayed by James Reyome), has his heart set on making her his girl. In the mean time, fickle Ado Annie- a girl who can’t say no (delightfully delivered by Faith Kelm) can’t decide between her two suitors- Cowboy Will Parker (charmingly played by Luke Phillips) and the peddler Ali Hakim ( played with great comedic delivery by Jesse Davidson) who really doesn’t want to be caught. It is hard to know whether to laugh or cry when Curly describes what love Jud would receive at his funeral and sings “Poor Jud is Daid” while Jud is still alive and standing beside him.

With a cast of 50 performers, there is a lot to be said for what is delivered on stage. Most of the actors and actresses have been on stage at the Renaissance Center before but a few were newcomers for this play. Luke Philips, in particular, has fallen in love with what this Dickson theater has to offer and has high hopes of returning to act in future productions. The returning lead actors find the family atmosphere at the Renaissance Center to be quite conducive to good chemistry which produces great performances.

While the cast has its back stage fun to keep their acting fresh they admit that it is a group effort to make the performances so professional and sharp. From the Director, Pacer Harp, to the stage manager, Jon Kopischke and the highly praised talents of Clint Pilkinton, the lighting designer and technical director, and everyone back stage- the actors feel at peace knowing that on stage as well as off, they are all “family, working to make it all work”.

Live theater is exciting and special in that everything comes together to create a different presentation each night. Don’t think that your attendance is passive, the audience is the extra element that feeds the actors and makes a world of difference in the energy onstage. A gentleman to my right found the role of the peddler to be quite funny. Jesse Davidson, the comic relief, said that the laughter may come at different times during performances and that effects how he moves into his next lines which enriches the play.

The actors I spoke with confess that they are adults on stage using their imaginations while playing pretend and that they are making a living out of not growing up. It was mentioned that the Renaissance Center is a great place for kids and adults to learn, not only how to act but also about themselves.

Make a plan to see Oklahoma, an exceptional play, for your own enjoyment and to support the Arts in Dickson TN.

Show Times:

Friday & Saturday at 7pm, Saturday afternoon at 2pm, and Sunday afternoon at 2pm

Dinner is offered Friday & Saturday nights at 6pm with the show to follow at 7pm. Tickets are $35 which includes dinner, dessert, drink and the show. Gratuity is not included.

Lunch is offered Saturday afternoons at 1pm with the show to follow at 2pm. Tickets are $25 which includes lunch, dessert, drink and the show. Gratuity is not included.

Show only tickets are also available for all shows; $15 adults, $12 seniors, $8 children.

Oklahoma! is sponsored by RAI of Dickson, Woof! Pet Salon, Caris Healthcare, Horizon Medical Center and Mappes Orthodontics.

The Renaissance Center is an arts and technology education and performing arts center just 35 miles west of Nashville on Interstate 40 at exit 172. For more information, call (615)740-5600 or 1(888)700-2300. The Renaissance Center, 855 Highway 46 South, Dickson, TN 37055

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Susan’s mom, Doris walker ( played beautifully by Claudia’s mom, Jennifer Bennett), is plagued by the hassles of life common to every man or woman; trying to make a living and get the job done. In her harried and tainted life, Doris has no time or inclination to indulge in the fantasy that Santa Claus could be anything more than a nice man in a red suit. As the story unfolds not only is the very existence of Santa Claus on trial, so too is  childhood magic and wonder.

The curtain opens and there he sits, Kris Kringle himself. Kringle, Mike Lyttle, is as jovial and charming as you would expect– both in character and out. It was quite enjoyable interviewing Santa as well as watching him make the whimsy that is Santa come alive on stage. Full-bearded Lyttle makes it easy to feel drawn into the very belief that Kringle is who he says he is. Declaring that playing Santa is his favorite role, Lyttle enjoys working with all the children. He is amused that in the month of December children look at him a little harder and a little longer and seem to improve their behavior .

The Renaissance Players,under the talented direction of Nathan Brown, bring joy to this Christmas season in this lighthearted play adapted from the novel Miracle On 34th Street by Valentine Davis. Nathan’s favorite part of each production is the sense of community, “strangers become friends and friends become family”. Forty percent of this cast is new to the stage for this play. Working with veterans of the stage to newbeeies that have no training let alone experience – Nathan instructed on the basics –stage direction, body placement, projection– and counted on his long time actors to help lead and support those who needed extra direction in the 5 weeks he had to pull this group together. The actors and stage personnel in community theater are volunteers who often hold down full time jobs and children who attend school full time. And yet they learn their lines ( little Claudia was the first “off Book” which means she knew her lines), show up for practice and enjoy the process.

Fred Gailey-or Uncle Fred- is played by newcomer Jeremy Hudgens, but you wouldn’t know he was one of the new kids on the block just by watching his performance. As a matter of fact he learned about the production the day before the auditions from his wife who wanted moral support so SHE could audition for the play. Obligingly, Jeremy accompanied his wife and joined her on stage to support her through her first stage audition. One reading from him led to another and he got a starring role. He is a natural and easily endearing. His reply when asked if he would do it again- “absolutely!”

Many people associated with the play are related – if parents or siblings have to hang around for practice, they might as well have a part in the play or be a part of the production! A popular play, 96 people auditioned for Miracle on 34th Street, Brown incorporated more roles to accommodate as many actors as possible. Jennifer Bennett and Claudia presented strong and enjoyable performances on stage as mother and daughter. Reportedly Claudia showed a strong singing voice from the early age of 2, belting out Somewhere Over the Rainbow to the astonishment of her parents. Claudia’s first role was playing a mouse in Cinderella and has enjoyed performing since then!

Tom Whiting, who plays Mr. Sawyer, met his wife Trudy who plays Dr. Pierce, while performing with community theater . There is a general consensus that community theater is a great way to bring people together who may not have otherwise met.

From charming children to snappy seniors, the stage was resplendent with talented actors and vocalists.  Entertained by humorous mail carriers and moved by  a little Dutch girl’s song, each performer brought great enthusiasm to make the Miracle on 34th Street a delight for this patron. For 2 hours I forgot all about the bills that need to be paid and the gifts that need to be purchased and just enjoyed the innocence of the possibilities and joy that believing in Santa brings.

Do yourselves a favor, gather your children and friends and support our local community theater by attending this most enjoyable play. You may just walk away believing…………..

For times, dates and ticket information: www.rcenter.org

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Having read about the American Cancer Society’s  all night Relay For Life* in Dickson, I decided to check out the event, but not during the early hours, I wanted to see what was happening at midnight. To my great surprise, there was still plenty going on and lots of people in attendance!

I am afraid my dinky camera in competition with the stadium lights doesn’t give you the full effect of the carnival setting, but I hope the pictures help you see that many relay teams were still going strong. Teams from local businesses, churches and individuals were walking the track  in the middle of the night in the football stadium of Dickson County High School to celebrate survival and raise money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society.

I asked one relay team member why the relay was scheduled from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. and his reply was “because cancer does not sleep“**. The 28 teams walking all night had spent weeks raising money through car washes, bake sales, 5k runs etc. with the grand finally being the relay. I saw many booths still  raising funds  selling food (by 12:00 whole Pizzas were being sold for 5 bucks!), ice cream , jewelry, icees and cold drinks while other booths brought  contributions to the cause  with carnival games.

There was live musical entertainment in the main tent as I walked up and if my camera had not malfunctioned I would have been more than happy to share a picture of the winner of the Womanless Beauty Contest- he/she was beautiful! I did catch some of the Midnight Karaoke being performed by various individuals and relay teams which seemed to be offered to keep the crowd entertained but may have secretly been scheduled to keep the walkers awake. Some of the singers were great to listen to and some seemed to be performing because of a double-dog-dare-ya, but all in all it was quite enjoyable.

Luminaries lined the track and lit the way,  shining either in memory of those who lost the battle to cancer or in honor of those who have survived. It was powerful and emotional to behold. Each luminary bag was decorated by the purchaser with drawings, pictures, stickers and messages along with the name of the person being celebrated. The luminaries on the bleachers spelled out CURE although, I was told, earlier in the evening they had spelled out HOPE and were rearranged as the names  were read to the accompaniment of bagpipes during the Luminary Ceremony.

I understand, arriving when I did, I had missed many events including the Hula-Hoop Challenge, an auction, and an awesome sequential release of balloons that had been purchased by individuals in honor of a friend or loved one. Other activities scheduled throughout the night included a  Scavenger Hunt, the Not-so-Newlywed Game and the Redneck Relays.

Seeing people from my bank, local eateries and businesses as well as friends from various churches coming out to participate in the relay or support the American Cancer Society  made me realize once again why I like living in Dickson.

*As quoted from the Family Career and Community Leaders of America: “Relay for Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated. The power of Relay is that it allows a community to grieve for those lost to cancer and to celebrate the lives of those who survived. There is peace of mind knowing that together communities can face the challenges ahead.”

** The opening paragraph of a poem offered by the American Cancer Society, author unknown:

Cancer Never Sleeps

Relay For Life is an overnight event because “cancer never sleeps.” Relay For Life starts at dusk and ends in the early morning hours of the following day. The light and darkness of the day and night parallel the physical efforts, emotions, and mental state of a cancer patient while undergoing treatment.

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