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Entertainment

(Cow)boy meets girl

The Art Center Theatre turns to a memorable love story for its first musical.

By JORGE SANCHEZ
Published July 8, 2005

A buggy-full of familiar songs accompanying a good old-fashioned love story makeOklahoma! an endearing musical to community theater fans.

"It's the first musical at the (Art Center) Theatre," said Patty Villegas, the show's director. "And it's fitting that we chose what I consider to be the definitive American musical."

At a venue that's known for producing dramas and comedies, Oklahoma! is a new venture for the Art Center Theatre, which is operated by the Citrus County Art League.

Villegas recalled when she and other actors approached the board of directors to pitch a musical.

"We said "First, why don't we try a small one, like Dames at Sea?"' Villegas said. "But they said, "No, if we're going to do one, let's go all the way."'

She said the theater is taking a financial risk in staging a high-budget musical in the summer. Musicals cost more due to higher licensing fees.

But it's time the theater showed what it can offer to music fans, Villegas said.

"Acoustically it's a great place," she said. "The songs will be wonderful, and we're using a real piano player."

She praised her lead actors, Michael Benson (Curly) and Danielle Flury (Laurey), for their singing abilities. The play requires a cast of about 40 people.

"One of the good things about this is that we've pulled actors from four different community theaters, and we're having a great time," Villegas said. "It's a real happy show."

Villegas has been in community theater as an actor and director for many years.

Acting is in her blood. She is the daughter of the late Bill and June Halavan, who were actors and directors at the Art League and other local community theaters.

Villegas recently retired from her job as a teacher in Warren, Mich., and is living in her parents' old home in Inverness, which she inherited.

She also has a claim to fame that she uses as an icebreaker during conversations.

"I was Eminem's ninth-grade English teacher," she said, referring to the rap star. "When he showed up for class, that is."

At a glance: The musical Oklahoma! at the Art Center Theatre, 2644 N Annapolis Ave., Citrus Hills. Show times are 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and July 14-16; 2 p.m. Sunday and July 17. Tickets are $15. Box office phone is 746-7606.

[Last modified July 8, 2005, 01:02:17]