UCO TO PRESENT MUSICAL VERSION OF TRUMAN CAPOTE’S ‘GRASS HARP’

The University of Central Oklahoma Musical Theatre Division will present the musical adaptation of Truman Capote’s “Grass Harp” at 8 p.m., Feb. 28 – Mar. 3, at the UCO Jazz Lab, 100 E. Fifth Street in Edmond.   

A semi-autobiographical piece by Capote, the musical follows an orphaned boy who goes to live with his two aunts.  Turmoil brought on by personality clashes between the two sisters leads to a few of the characters moving into a tree house, where the unexpected lessons are learned.           

“This musical – raw, quirky and full of heart – unconventionally redefines what family truly is,” said Greg White, Ph.D., director of the production and head of the musical theatre division.           

Considered one of the lost musical theatre treasures, “Grass Harp” was chosen by White due to its unfamiliarity.           

“It is a rare opportunity to see or work on a lost musical theatre treasure.  It has presented a nice challenge to my students who have focused on the lyrics and movement of the piece to add their own interpretation and not simply reference its previous performances,” said White.           

The cast of 14 includes freshman William Herndon in the leading male role of the orphaned Collin and upperclassmen Haley Jane Schafer and Bailey Maxwell in the leading female roles of sisters Dollyheart and Verena Talbo.           

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling the Mitchell Hall Theater Box Office at 405-974-3375.  Half of the proceeds will go towards music theatre scholarships and the rest will support Central’s School of Music.           

For a complete listing of UCO College of Fine Arts and Design events and performances, visit www.uco.edu/cfad/events.