Solutions > Archives > At Home in Oklahoma > SOUNDS AND STORIES
SOUNDS AND STORIES
By BECKY DIXON
Encore: Attending performances at
downtown Tulsa's Performing Arts
Center is a favorite pastime of many
Oklahomans,
including me!
From the beginning, the expansive spirit that propelled Tulsa into a vibrant oil town also fueled a rich cultural life. Today, our performing arts companies offer sounds and stories to delight all ages. Here’s a front-row look at what Tulsans applaud.
OPERA In the city’s early years, oil barons often returned home from their travels with ideas for extending Tulsa’s artistic horizons. As early as 1905, city leader J. Martin opined that Tulsa should have its own opera. His dream was finally realized when, in 1948, the Tulsa Opera Club was formed to present light operas and operettas twice yearly. In 1955, a production of Madame Butterfly featured imported professional singers, thus completing Tulsa Opera’s transition to grand opera and elevating it toward national prominence.
Today, Tulsa Opera ranks among the top ten regional companies in the U.S. Under the leadership of General Director Carol Crawford, the company presents three productions each season. One of this year’s highlights is sure to be their rendition of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.
BALLET Another cultural gem is Tulsa Ballet. Founders Roman Jasinski and Moscelyne Larkin – known worldwide for their style in the grand Ballet Russe tradition – strived for a company that would combine the beauty and joy of dance with the drama and entertainment of theatre.
Tulsa Ballet is currently celebrating its fiftieth anniversary with a season of special performances. Coming soon is Evolution, an evening dedicated to the evolution of American dance. As always, the company will conclude its season with a holiday tradition, The Nutcracker. Over the years, many of Tulsa’s young dancers have performed in this beloved ballet. Broken Arrow native and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth made her stage debut playing a rabbit in this production!
THEATRE Since 1922, Theatre Tulsa has also been central to our city’s culture. The oldest continuously running community theatre west of the Mississippi, Theatre Tulsa brings a rich legacy of music and melodrama, laughter and lightheartedness. Among this season’s offerings are the comedy Anne of Green Gables and the World War II drama Mister Roberts.
Like Tulsa Ballet, Theatre Tulsa is a venue for talented local performers. One noted actress who got her start with Theatre Tulsa is Jeanne Tripplehorn. Jeanne has since starred in numerous major motion pictures alongside the likes of Tom Cruise, Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, Kevin Costner, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
ORCHESTRA For those who love symphony music, there’s the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. Serving as the live orchestra for Tulsa Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty, the group earned rave reviews. In nearby Bartlesville, there is the OK Mozart Festival. Started in 1985, OK Mozart brings in the brightest musicians for over a week of world-class performances. The summer festival includes six concerts in the magnificent performing arts building designed by a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright and an outdoor concert at historic Woolaroc Ranch.
So, there you have it: a peek behind the curtain at some of Oklahoma’s performing arts. If you visit us, please treat yourself to a show! Do so and I think you’ll see that our rich arts scene is one reason many consider our state such a treasure.
