Sasha Hutchings senses a different kind of excitement when she steps on the stage in the role of Laurey in the national tour of “Oklahoma.”
“There’s never been a better time to see a show,” said Hutchings.
Actors are grateful to be on the stage and touring again, and audiences are grateful to see live shows. That makes for memorable performances, she said.
“Oklahoma” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Bell Auditorium.
Hutchings knows a thing or two about exciting shows. The Macon, Ga. native was an original member of the show “Hamilton” and watched as that musical spread like wildfire as audiences flocked to see it.
She watched its formation and then took the stage as part of its ensemble as well as being the understudy for the roles of Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds, and audiences can see her perform in the Disney Plus version.
She said she’s not completely surprised with its success because “Hamilton” took a story people thought they were familiar with but told it in a new and modern way.
That’s a little like what’s taking place with the version of “Oklahoma” that will hit the Bell Auditorium stage – a story that people are familiar with, but with a new twist.
“It’s quite a bit different. It’s quite a bit the same,” she said. “The score is exactly the same; in the script nothing has change; nothing has been removed.”
Some of the differences include updated costuming – jeans, boots and cowboy hats for the cowboys and cowgirls.
Also, cast members are on stage throughout the entire show to build a sense of community, she said.
This production is the first time Hutchings has been part of “Oklahoma,” but she’s known the show in different ways.
Attending college in Oklahoma knowing the title song is a prerequisite she said. She had to perform it a few times.
And as a dancer, she said she was always fascinated with the famous dream ballet sequence in the show. Ballet and dance have always told stories but melding the technical form into a musical such as “Oklahoma” was different.
Adding to Hutchings’ excitement for the Augusta show is that it’s the only Georgia date on the tour, and it’s close to her hometown, meaning she’ll have a lot of audience support Dec. 1.
“My family is great,” she said.
Her parents regularly take trips to wherever she’s performing. They’ve seen her when she’s been tapped to play a role because the situation called for it – as understudies do. They’ve traveled to New York City and other locations on short notice.
Tickets for “Oklahoma” are $59.25 to $80.75. For tickets, visit aectix.com.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.ress.com
