1978-79

I guess our thinking was, “one good Rodgers and Hammerstein deserves another.” Whatever the reason, we decided that OKLAHOMA! would be the Guilderland Players’ 10th Anniversary Production. Considered by many to be the first modern American musical, OKLAHOMA! was another high profile show. We could be certain that most who came to see our production had seen the show before, either on stage or in movie form.

Once again we were faced with some very difficult casting decisions. I had a very strong opinion that the impact of the plot of the musical hinged on the believability of Jud as a real threat to Laurey and Curly. I had seen productions of OKLAHOMA! in which Jud was played in a comic manner or played with no sense of menace. When we announced our choice of shows, I don’t think it would be an exaggeration to say that most of the GP believed that Buddy Meagley would get the part of Curley. He was arguably the best male singer in the GP to date - just right for all those wonderful songs, “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning”, “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top”, “People Will Say We’re in Love” and “Oklahoma!” In the auditions, Buddy convinced us (unwittingly, I’m sure) that he was by far the strongest choice to play Jud, a character with one song. Thus, the problem. For the good of the production, Buddy was the clear choice for Judd and Paul DeAlleaume, who also auditioned very well, seemed just right for Curly, the lanky, young cowboy. The staff’s concern was the reaction of the actors involved and the GP in general to this unexpected decision.

Sometimes disappointment brings out the best in people: It certainly did for Buddy Meagley. When the cast list was posted, Buddy was obviously upset. As I recall he came to talk to me, and I explained to him that while we had several people who could play Curley, he was the only one who could do justice to the role of Jud Fry. He finally (and, I believe, hesitatingly) agreed to accept the role, and from that day on he never disappointed. He WAS Jud, and when the show was over, he presented me with a portrait he had painted of himself as Jud. It hangs on the wall of my study today. I often used this story in class and in first show meetings to illustrate what being a Guilderland Player is all about.

One of the outstanding features of the original Broadway production of OKLAHOMA! and the subsequent movie was the choreography of Agnes DeMille. The “Dream Ballet” is a landmark use of ballet in the American musical. We had our own “Agnes DeMille” in the person of Gigi Obloy. One of my fondest memories is that of watching our wonderful “Dream Ballet”, lighted in spectacular fashion by Michael Cusick and his crew, as it explored the inner fears of Laurey. To make it even better, the tradition of having doubles dance the major roles in the ballet was abandoned and all the appropriate principals danced in the ballet.

One requirement of OKLAHOMA! is a surrey, beautifully fringed around the edges of its canopy. Many people do not know what a surrey is. Ted Vickery not only knew what it was, but he knew how to build it. I can still see that surrey, both figuratively and literally. Not only can I see it clearly in my memory, but the scale model which Ted Vickery Jr. made for me sits on my bookshelf. I think the wheels from that surrey are still in storage and have appeared in many shows. When I saw the recent revival of OKLAHOMA! on television recently, I noticed a change from the original production - the surrey was motorized.

I don’t remember many incidents from the rehearsals of OKLAHOMA! , but I do recall our version of the “Chicken Little” story. One day in late winter, without warning, a small section of the house ceiling (concrete) in the auditorium fell into the seats (or was it the Orchestra Pit) as the result of water damage. No one was hurt, but it occurred to everyone that had it happened when the house was full, the result could have been very different. Easily handled, one would think. Fix the ceiling ASAP and move on. Not so in a public school system. First, the house was closed to determine the safety of other areas and the odds of more ceiling falling down. We could rehearse on stage, but not use the house seats, aisles or the pit area. Everyone was in a hurry to get the inspection done except for those doing the inspection. There was even talk of postponing (or canceling) the show. Eventually the problem was solved, although I don’t recall any work being done on the ceiling and I do remember seeing the hole in the ceiling for several years after. I still have a piece of the ceiling with a sketch a scene from the show on it.

The cast of OKLAHOMA! numbered 53. The orchestra numbered 22 with one adult. OKLAHOMA! was arguably our most elaborate show to that date. The Altamont Enterprise, while not exactly impartial, labeled OKLAHOMA! the GP’s “most outstanding production yet” and labeled Buddy Meagley”s Jud as “a showstopper.”

On April 9 a group of Players performed a one-act play, A HAPPY JOURNEY TO CAMDEN AND TRENTON by Thornton Wilder, at the Schenectady Community College One-Act Play contest. The play was well received although we did not win the contest. I have always had mixed feelings about theatre contests (It would be interesting if everyone were doing the same play!) but thought we should give it a try. Our effort starred Martha Hughes, Michael Roberts, Lisa Cartmell, David Nirenberg and Michaela Reilly. Debra McDermott directed and Jenifer Daniels was Stage Director. The acting tip of the day from one of the judges was, “Sex on your mind makes the voice lower.” (See why I don’t like acting contests.)

On May 16 the GP hosted two other schools from the contest (Berne-Knox and Corinth) in ”A Night of Theatre” at which three one-acts were performed.

A month after OKLAHOMA! was struck, Mike Cusick invited me to attend a jazz concert with him at the Best Western Thruway House on Washington Avenue. Much to my shock, the concert turned out to be a 10th anniversary reunion for The Guilderland Players, which for reasons I still don’t understand, was planned in deepest secrecy from one person in the world - me! Several hundred people were in attendance, and it was one of the most memorable evenings of my life. A song from each of the first 10 show was presented with the original cast members doing the honors. An award (a plastic Fred Flintstone bottle painted gold) was given in many different categories. And, for you tradition fans, The Guilderland Players’ Theme Song, words and music by “Aggie” Armstrong was sung by all. To my knowledge, this is the only time this song has been performed.

It was at this reunion that The Guilderland Players Alumni Award was created, and Buddy Meagley was named as its first recipient later in the Spring. Noted in the program for the reunion were many interesting facts. Among them was the estimate that 750 different students had participated in the GP at that point. Extrapolating from that figure, the current estimate would be 2625 Guilderland Players! How about a 35th reunion?

The GP Summer Theatre production, was MERRY FOOLS.