Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) Drama presented three performances of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma! Youth Edition” May 2 and 3 in the school’s auditorium. The 1943 musical was the first for legendary Rodgers & Hammerstein and set the standard for modern musical theater by integrating song and dance numbers as devices to advance plot and deepen characterization. “Oklahoma!” is based on an original play by Cherokee native Lynn Riggs with original choreography by acclaimed dancer Agnes de Mille. The BRHS Drama production was presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals, directed by Dr. Mary Miller with stage management and costuming (special thanks to Carousel Music Theater) by Susie Taylor. The show marked the final performances of four graduating seniors.

“I’m grateful to have done theater throughout my entire time at BRHS. I love the friends I’ve made and the laughs we’ve shared,” said senior Spencer Pottle. Pottle’s favorite role at BRHS was Damian in “Mean Girls Jr.” "I have so many fond memories, funny moments and experiences with the cast,” said Pottle, “it’s hard to leave but I’m excited for the future.” A staple talent for BRHS for many years, Pottle leaves big cowboy boots to fill as he leaves for Florida Southern College to study musical theater.

Jayden Coulombe and Afton Warren-Burden designed and constructed a set reflective of the Oklahoma Territory in 1906, the story’s backdrop. The musical dramatizes the courtship of a young farm girl Laurey (Hannah Hills) and a self-assured cowboy Curly (Pottle). Pottle’s acting was both perfect and playful, and his onstage chemistry with Hills was electric. The seniors have found themselves playing love interests before, as recently as last year’s "Beauty and the Beast" production. “'Beauty and the Beast' was my favorite production of my time at BRHS,” said an emotional Hills. “I’m going to miss performing here, alongside my friends. If I could say anything to the classes behind me, I’d tell them to believe in themselves. Don’t be afraid. Put it all out there on the stage and leave with no regrets.” Hills also shared the stage with her brother Bryan Hills, who played Fred in this production.

Of course, Laurey and Curly’s romance is complicated by another man Jud (Coulombe), a violent social outcast who works on Laurey’s aunt’s farm and is also interested in Laurey. Coulombe hit his acting stride in this role, leaning into the dark elements of the character and fully embracing the villain label. Coulombe’s dedication to developing range in his acting is impressive. He uses his voice brilliantly to project the harsh, brutal aggression of Jud as if competing with the booming thunder outside.

“Oklahoma!” wouldn’t be a timeless tale without Aunt Eller, played by senior Skyla Carrier. “I’m an aunt myself, and I was drawn to this character,” Carrier said. “I wanted an important role, one that delivers the story’s wisdom.” Fans of BRHS Drama will forever regard her as Donkey in “Shrek Jr.”, her favorite role in her time at BRHS. Said Carrier, “I’m very sad to leave BRHS, but I look forward to the theater department at UMaine-Machias,” where she will study nursing.

Imij Armstead, playing Vivian and a few other roles, is a graduating home-schooled senior who has graced the BRHS stage many times, including her favorite, “Newsies.” She estimates she has performed in 35-40 productions, and Saturday night’s show was sandwiched between her auditions for “How I Became a Pirate” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” She plans to continue her career in music theater and attend Aveda Institute for Cosmetology.

Never upstaged, Sophia Mansfield, Titan Lewis and Matthew Little (Ado Annie, Will, Peddler) enthrall the audience with a comedic subplot. Love-struck Ado Annie finds herself enmeshed with the hots for two men: Peddler, who does not want to marry her, and Will, a cowboy who has just arrived back in town, early, from Kansas City. The three sell their roles so convincingly, the audience probably would have bought aluminum siding from them had they asked. Ado Annie and Will are clearly meant to be together, leaving Peddler on the outs of the love triangle. But not to worry, Peddler marries Gertie (Allison Smart) whose whinny-nervous laugh-slasher film scream entertains throughout the production.

Elijah Smith (Andrew Carnes), Aubrey Holmes  (June) and Natalie Flagg (Ellen) deliver perfection in their supporting roles. Chloe Joneth was on curtains and box office. In all, 11 musical numbers, sung in thick southern accents, delighted the audience and hastened the pace of this abbreviated version of the musical. “I was so pleased to find a shorter version of “Oklahoma!” that keeps the integrity of the original, allowing a young cast to experience a bit of Broadway history,” wrote Miller. Special thanks to Manon Lewis, Chip Schwehm, BRHS maintenance and parents.