November 4, 1998
"On Feb. 25, 1959, Pat and I had our first date and went to see a production of 'Oklahoma!' at McPherson High School," Seidel explained. "We've loved the show ever since."
Seidel was a senior at McPherson High School and his future wife had just moved to town in November.
"Pat moved to McPherson from Oklahoma in November of her senior year of high school," Seidel explained. "I first dated her younger sister, but decided I'd rather ask Pat out. That decision almost 40 years ago was a good one!"
The Seidels rarely miss an opportunity to see the show. In 1993, they attended a 50th anniversary production of "Oklahoma!" at Topeka High School, and a few years later, celebrated again when the musical was staged at Topeka West.
The KU production of "Oklahoma!," scheduled for 8 p.m. Nov. 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 15, in the Crafton-Preyer Theatre, is a joint production of the University Theatre and the KU Department of Music and Dance. The production involved more than 100 KU students as actors, dancers, orchestra members, or crew members.
John Staniunas, assistant professor of theatre and film, is directing and choreographing the production. Jack Roller, Tulsa, OK, doctoral student, is conductor of the 27-piece pit orchestra taken from the KU Symphony Orchestra.
The Seidels are attending "Oklahoma!" Saturday, Nov. 20. They are excited about the show and also about getting to see family friends performing in the production.
"Catherine Hesse (who plays Ado Annie) was one of our students at Topeka West," Seidel explained, "and Silas Hoover (Will Parker) is the grandson of one of our close Sunday school friends. It will be quite a night for us."
The Seidels have three grown children and four grandsons, who they hope, some day, will share their enthusiasm for one of the legendary shows in American musical theatre.
Story by Charla Jenkins, (785) 864-2684