UCO Presents Stephen Sondheim Musical ‘Saturday Night’

October 23, 2006

The University of Central Oklahoma's School of Music presents its fall musical theatre production, "Saturday Night," with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 through 4, and 2 p.m. Nov. 5 in UCO's Mitchell Hall Theater.

Set in the spring of 1929, a group of young men from Brooklyn risk everything on the stock market, attempting to make a difference in their lives and to find dates for Saturday night.

                                             "Saturday Night" stars Chelsea Weig as Helen Fogel,

"The story deals with the           Michael Reyna (center) as the plaza attendant and

commonplace working man's     Ryan Steer as Gene Gorman.

desire to achieve the American

dream of wealth, glamour and social status which they believe is waiting just across the bridge in Manhattan," said Billie Thrash, director of "Saturday Night."

"’Saturday Night’ is a funny, charming work with both clever and lovely songs that all audiences will love."

Thrash, a music theatre professor at UCO, has directed and or choreographed more than 50 productions for numerous theatres both locally and regionally.

“Saturday Night” is based on the play, “A Front Porch in Flatbush,” by Philip and Jules J. Epstein, the authors of “Casablanca.”

This production was Sondheim's first Broadway musical attempt before it was scrapped in the 1950’s and the lyricist began working on projects that would make him famous including; “West Side Story,” "Gypsy," "Into the Woods" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

This production is rated G for all audiences.

Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $7 for students.

For tickets, call the Mitchell Hall Box Office at (405) 974-3375.

Page updated 10/23/06