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Gisselman guides 'Oklahoma!' production

By Claire Carlson '12
August 24, 2011

St. Olaf Artist in Residence Gary Gisselman is currently directing Oklahoma! at the Bloomington Civic Theatre. Directing this show is a homecoming of sorts for Gisselman — he directed his first-ever performance there in 1964, and he grew up picking strawberries at his grandparents' farm a few blocks from the current site of the theatre.

Gisselman and other members of the production were recently featured on Minnesota Public Radio. In addition to providing interviews, cast members performed a couple of the most iconic songs on air, including Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin and People Will Say We're in Love.

Oklahoma! was Rodgers and Hammerstein's first collaborative effort, and their story of love in the wild Oklahoma Territory has since been considered a landmark work of musical theatre. Since the first performance in 1943, Oklahoma! has been performed thousands of times and received countless prestigious awards.

Performances at the Bloomington Civic Theatre will run through September 18.

Contact Kari VanDerVeen at 507-786-3970 or vanderve@stolaf.edu.