Well, what a great weekend we had! Theatre Tulsa, Theatre Pops and Odeum came together for 3 wonderful nights of ’8.’ The play was so special and we received rave reviews from those who saw it.

Well, we did it! We opened Oliver! It has been a huge undertaking, with a cast of nearly 50 in a small theatre. As I was watching the show from the technical booth last weekend, looking down at the actors whom I’ve gotten to know so well after the past few months, I couldn’t help but become a little emotional about it. This show is HARD! The choreography is HARD! The technical aspects of putting such a large show in a small space are HARD!

And, yet, there they were, down there on the stage, 50 beautiful people. Local, talented performers, dancing, singing, smiling, crying, loving, hating, giving it their all, on stage to together in this very passionate piece of theatre.

And this is why Theatre Tulsa is awesome. It is truly community theatre at it’s finest: People from all walks of life, all experience levels, coming together to share a love for theatre and to create something unique that will never exist again after the curtain falls this coming Saturday.

Something really special is happening this week in Tulsa. And your support and presence would make it even better! Theatre Tulsa is SUPER exited to present a truly unique theatrical opportunity for Tulsa, in partnership with The Tulsa Arts and Humanities Council.

Tulsa youth playwrights and poets have created an amazing performance piece called “PLAYLIST” under the direction of guest artist and award-winning playwright Idris Goodwin. The show is being presented at Vinyl Countdown this week on Thursday, Feb. 14th, at 4:30pm and Saturday, Feb. 16th at 7:00pm.

“PLAYLIST” is a beautifully written collection of poems, scenes and monologues created by our very own Tulsa youth writers. The theme of the performance is music (hence the name) and you will see humor, drama, love stories, poignancy and peotry that will leave you in awe of these young writers.

The New Drama League was developed out of the Louder Than a Bomb program in Tulsa and TT is thrilled to be a part of “PLAYLIST.” Director Idris Goodwin has a specific interest in blending spoken word performance and traditional theatre conventions, his goal for this performance is to meld the two into a unique aesthetic experience. And it certainly is!

Come see what we’re up to and support Tulsa youth artists and writers! It’s free and the show runs about 45 minutes. What do you have to lose?

Things are movin’ along over here at TT! We have just started week 3 of Oliver! rehearsals and it’s a little hectic as we all settle into the process, learn how everyone works and get comfortable with the material. It is A LOT of material. I didn’t realize how much of this show is music! Dialogue is only about 30% and the rest is this fabulous, inspiring score by Lionel Bart.

My favorite song changes from day to day. The other night in rehearsal, we were working the harmonies on “Who Will Buy” and I had chills. The actors sound so beautiful together! So, I quickly announced THAT was my new favorite song. But, today, I’m thinking it’s a “That’s Your Funeral” kind of day. It’s my new saying, as if to say “That’s Your Problem.” You want more money and you don’t have it? “That’s Your Funeral.” You ran out of gas because you forgot to refuel? “That’s Your Funeral.” You want fried chicken and you don’t have any? “That’s Your Funeral.”

So, I will continue to enjoy being swept away by different songs that speak to me on any particular day. This amazing cast makes it easy. They are all SO phenomenal! It’s going to be a great show, just by the pure talent on the stage. I surely expect that they will light up the Doenges Theatre in March! Don’t miss it! And if you do? Well, you know what they say…

Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman in “Les Misérables” (Photo: Universal)

So, I’ve been pondering the worth of my comments on the movie Les Miserables. I’m not sure they are that interesting or worthy of print, and what on earth does that have to do with Theatre Tulsa? Well, they do… and, I have to get them off my chest, so here goes: (SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU HAVEN”T SEEN THE MOVIE YET, DO NOT READ THIS!)

Well we did it! The first Toast ’22 event was a success thanks to so many people and businesses. We couldn’t have done it without the help and support of everyone involved! It was so fantastic!

The highlights for me were watching the TT Broadway Bootcamp kids belting out some amazing tunes, getting to talk to all the TT supporters old and new, and the excitement in the air.

I especially loved the last bit of the evening when a group of about 15 of us 30-somethings (ahem – give or take) were hanging out in The Atlas Grill, drinking down the last of the keg (Thanks Marshall Brewing!) and chatting away about the future of the theatre and all the things we want to do. It was a fantastic way to end the evening!

I thought we’d have a little bit of a break before the holidays, but – oh no way! We are not slowing down, not a bit! Lots coming up in the next few weeks as we approach the opening of “Tuesday’s With Morrie,” the beginning of some new classes, auditions for Oliver! and the awesome premiere of The New Drama League.

Stay tuned and hang on, it’s about to get even more thrilling!

Here are some fun pics from the night. Also check out our full photo album from Toast ’22 on Facebook.