September 20, 2019 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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fe g Serving ‘mw, _Western Oklahoma Uy | Since 1901 By Don Munsch, Editor Hadley Larson and Kelsey Zybach each had difficulty re- calling what they learned in kindergarten. “T was homeschooled in kindergarten, so I remember sit- ting at the kitchen table with mom,” said Zybach, 31. Larson, 17, recalls having a great teacher back then, when she lived in Denver, She does not have any specific memo- ries, but she remembers her teacher’s name. Life lessons from those early years of school will be ex- plored during Red Carpet Community Theatre’s rendition of “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” which runs Sept. 26-29 and Oct. 3-6. The musical will be at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26-28 and Oct. 3-5 and will have 2:30 show- ings on Sept. 29 and Oct. 6 at the theatre, 422 N. Jefferson Ave. in Elk City. “Kindergarten” is a musical based on the book by Rob- ert Fulghum, who worked with Ernest Zulia, director, and David Caldwell, composer, to bring the musical version to life. The book features a number of essays on a number of topics, including life, death and love. Among the life lessons Fulghum shares: “Share everything. Play fair. Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.” And then there are those From left, Ruth Larson, Anna Click and Ray Parkhurst react during hygiene practices that are ever-important, such as washing a scene from a rehearsal of “All | Really Need to Know | Learned hands before eating and flushing the toilet. in Kindergarten,” being performed at the Red Carpet Community “The book was just heart-warming, with simple, honest Theatre in Elk City in late September and early October. Right, tales about ordinary people, done with humor, done with honesty, and [the play] is in vignettes, and it’s not really like Emma Ferrero acts out a scene. Staff photos by Don Munsch. a whole lot of other plays,” “Kindergarten” director Nick Leadership graduation Sweet said. “It’s both presentational and representational. In other words, the actors are narrators and sometimes they’re left, Pam Muncrief, actors within the scene. I think we do like 17 vignettes, and Payton Hamm, Lisa I think seven or eight songs.” Dailey, Kyle Evans, Sweet said someone asked him why “Kindergarten” had not made it to Broadway, and Sweet replied it’s because the Billy Sizemore, Steph- material is too wholesome and just not edgy or hip enough anie Ellis, Tiphani for Broadway. Currell, Billy Smith, “{t’s just simple stories about ordinary people, done with Juli Kilhoffer, Christy humor, honesty and integrity, we hope.” Sweet said. Larson said “Kindergarten” is very “family friendly,” a Pollard and Sheryl production one could bring anyone to and that person would Ponce. Holding the enjoy it. sign are Terry Price “Tt’s made up of a whole bunch of short skits where the and Maddi Magers. story moves along well and it’s kind of comedy-slash-heart- felt stories about all the different stages of life, from kinder- Leadership Elk City garten to [adulthood],” Zybach said. endeavors to find “Lots of rites of passage,” Larson said. leaders and provide Just a few of the first scenes of the musical take place in them opportunities in kindergarten, Sweet said. The vignettes are “very touching, very poignant, but also a lot of them are very funny,” he bo \LA iat: Elk City, among other said. Members of the Leadership Elk City Class VI had their graduation objectives. Staff photo See Kindergarten page 2. Tuesday night at the Elks Lodge in Elk City. Shown here are, from by Don Munsch. Local theatre troupe looks at ‘Love’ more“It’sthanbeenagreat dozen company members and includes actors working with such a large cast,” Currell from Clinton, Elk City, Hobart and Sayre. See Untitled page 2. ~ titled Pop Up Theatre’s latest creation, “What If? Six Short Comedies About the Search for Love.” Untitled brings “What If?” to what its says is a unique promenade theatre experience to the Clinton area, Sept. 27- OBI calls on fans of 29. Partnering with local businesses, Blakeburn Studios and Café Clinton, UPUT presents the play, which was written OU, OSU to give blood by Jay D. Hanagan. Rehearsals have been held in Elk City Oklahoma Blood Institute doesn’t play favorites or take and Clinton. “Love, American Style,” which aired from 1969-74, pre- sides when it comes to the annual Bedlam football game a: between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, to be played this sented a number of romance-related stories with different year on Noy. 30 in Stillwater. characters, settings and situations. “What If?” is a collection vy ofvignettes about the many aspects of love, such as chance But OBI is partial to anyone who gives blood, and with the annual college gridiron clash between the schools as a meetings, awkward conversations and stolen moments, with backdrop, donors will receive T-shirts of their choice for laughter being the connecting thread that strings them all either OU or OSU. Misty Musick, left, and Carrie Stone act out together, production staffers said. The Bedlam Blood Battle will feature favorite coaches ascene from "What If? Six Short Comedies “The script lends itself perfectly to the promenade style on new Bedlam-themed T-shirts, free for Oklahoma Blood About the Search For Love." The show will be which invites the audience on a journey from one location to Institute blood donors. performed Sept. 27-29. Submitted photo. the next, following the actors or story,” according to a news. OBI’s upcoming Canute/ Elk City blood drives: release. “This UPUT production will also include a series Oct. 14: Canute Community at the Heritage Center, 12:30 By Don Munsch, Editor of guides to lead the way, sharing delightful bits of life and to 5:30 p.m. The old television sitcom “Love, American Style” serves love along the path.” Oct. 15: Great Plains Regional Medical Center, 11 a.m. as an inspiration, although maybe not purposefully, to Un- Directed by Katie Currell of Watonga, “What If?” features to 5 p.m. Oct. 15: Elk City Community at the First Baptist Church, Commission to revisit cemetery policies noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 22: Cimarron Apartments, 220 Ridgecrest Drive in By Don Munsch, Editor City Manager Lee Litterell said the cemetery board voted Elk City, Clubhouse, | to 5 p.m. The Elk City City Commission will meet soon with the to discontinue graveside services in part because of safety Anyone who is healthy and 16 years old* or older can city’s cemetery board to discuss Fairlawn Cemetery policies. concerns for city employees, as bad weather can wreak hav- makea life-saving difference for their fellow Oklahomans No action was taken on the agenda item at the commis- oc on tents. No graveside services would be allowed, Lit- by giving blood, according to an OBI release. sion meeting Wednesday, as it was for discussion only. Com- terell said. All donors will receive their choice of a free “OSU or- missioners discussed the issue with Kurt Kramer, cemetery “With an open hole — with a grave with an open hole, ange” T-shirt featuring the profile of Cowboys head coach supervisor, and Chris Whinery, a member of the cemetery Kramer said, clarifying what would no longer be allowed, Mike Gundy or an “OU crimson” T-shirt featuring a profile board. Listed in the agenda item were the cost of the cem- adding people could come by the graveside after the funeral of Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley. In addition, donors etery chapel and rules for graveside services. and after cemetery workers finished their work there. will receive a coupon from Whataburger for a free honey Effective May 1, the cemetery no longer allowed tent set- Commissioner Cory Spieker asked about military veterans butter chicken biscuit and be entered for a chance to win ups. Some commissioners wondered Wednesday whether or firefighters who like to have ceremonial burials. Burials Whataburger food for a year. the rule should be reviewed. See Cemetery page 2. See Call for blood page 2. Weather Vol. 117, No. 76 Mail delivery View online ‘ INL! MD A * tomorrow / 69 75 cents, 10 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com