Will Parker, a cowboy, says to Ado Annie Carnes, a farmer’s daughter, “Now that I got that fifty dollars, you name the date.”
Ado Annie replies, “August 15th.”
Will asks, “Why August 15th?”
Ado Annie answers, “Because that was the first day I’se kissed!”
Will inquires,“Oh was it? I didn’t remember that!”
Ado Annie says, “You wasn’t there.”
These are just a few lines from Rodgers and Hammerstein II, “Oklahoma” That can be seen here at Mesa State’s Robinson Theatre, February 24-26; 7:30 pm, March 2-5; 7:30 pm, and March 6; 2:00 pm.
The audience can expect to see wonderful sets and great performers along with “singing, dancing, comedy and drama, everything a musical should be,” according to Alena Ruiz. Ruiz is a junior majoring in music theatre and she also plays the character Ado Annie.
Lane Heinz, a sophomore who plays Will Parker, says the audience can experience an “old fashion good time” and a “lot of fun.”
Twenty year old Heinz is also a music theatre major. Playing Will is his biggest challenge because this is his first major lead role. Heinz is enthusiastic to “act with other focused actors” in “Oklahoma.”
Ruiz states dancing is her biggest challenge in her role as Ado Annie, mostly due to the ballet scene at the end of the first act and other dance numbers that will be performed with accompaniment by a live orchestra. Ruiz has experience in about five other productions and this musical is a test of her talents of being a “triple threat.”
Ruiz has been teased by her acquaintances that she is similar to her character Ado Annie. Ruiz describes Ado Annie as, “comic relief, naïve and a flirt,” and Ruiz “loves” Ado Annie’s character.
Heinz said Will is a bubbly character and a little bit of an old school player. However Will does love Ado Annie according to Heinz. There are two love triangles in “Oklahoma” which makes it “more interesting and more entertaining,” says Ruiz.
Both Ruiz and Heinz are full-time students and work part time as well as putting in a minimum 20 hours of rehearsal a week.
Heinz explains he is happy to “wake up and do musical theatre,” when asked about his busy schedule.
Of the three types of dancing jazz, ballet, and tap the Heinz has trained in he enjoys tap the most. The audience will get to see him display this particular skill in one of Will’s scenes, “Kansas City.”
As a performer Ruiz intends to “go big,” and “strive for the biggest and the best” and “Oklahoma” is no exception.
To celebrate and honor the time period of when the original “Oklahoma” premiered one free ticket will be given to anyone who provides military identification. Otherwise ticket prices are $20 adults, $15 seniors, faculty and staff, and $6 students. On Feb. 24 and March 2 tickets are only $4 for students and $5 for faculty/staff. For tickets visit or or call the Mesa State Box Office.