Gallery Blog
Tarzan
Written by David Tamez today
Where in Oklahoma can you find actors off Broadway, singing apes, and music from Phil Collins? Only in Lyric Theatre’s production of “Tarzan.” We’ve been following Lyric Theatre for a Gallery segment about their 50th anniversary which will air in November. This week, we got a preview of their latest production.
The show is based on Disney’s animated movie “Tarzan” and features music from Phil Collins. Director Michael Baron is sure you will enjoy the show because there’s lots of excitement and high flying adventure. The show opens next week on Tuesday June 25th and runs through Saturday Jun 29th at the Oklahoma City Civic Center.
We sat down with Broadway actor Steve Blanchard who plays Kerchak in this production. Blanchard’s Broadway roles are extensive and include roles like the Beast in “Beauty and the Beast,” and The Phantom in “Phantom of the Opera.” Blanchard says he enjoys coming to Oklahoma and working with Lyric Theatre because Oklahoma City has a great pool of talent and the productions are fun, and well organized.
In addition to Blanchard, other Broadway stars are performing in this production. Nicholas Rodriguez will be playing Tarzan in this production. Rodriguez is no stranger to the role because he played the same role on Broadway. Felicia Boswell will be playing Tarzan’s Mom Kala. Some of Boswell’s previous Broadway roles include: Felicia Cover in “Memphis,” and Deena Lorell in “Dreamgirls.”
Many talented Lyric Theatre thespians are lighting up the stage; including: Heather Botts as Jane, Jamard Richardson as Terk, and Chad Anderson as Professor Porter. The Cast also includes 23 more accomplished Oklahoma adults and children.
For a Gallery preview on this story watch OETA’s ONR on Friday, June 19th at 7 P.M. To purchase tickets for Tarzan or to find out more information about Lyric Theatre visit www.lyrictheatreokc.com.
The Silo Art Project
Written by David Tamez on Wednesday June 12, 2013
The Gallery Staff has been following Rick Sinnett’s “Silo Art Project” since September of 2012; Sinnett has been raising money and brainstorming the project for over 2 years. His mural “This Land” is approximately 120 feet wide by 100 feet tall and covers the north and south sides of the grain silos of Rocktown Climbing Gym. “This Land,” is a colorful mural that includes Oklahoma icons such as: the American Bison, the Scissortail Flycatcher, Indian paintbrush flowers, wheat, the earth below, sun beams radiating overhead and the Oklahoma River- each figure speaks to an element of Oklahoma.
Driving down I-40 just south of Bricktown you can see that the project is well underway with coats of light blue paint covering most of the silo. To paint the base coat, Sinnett and his crew of volunteers handle a 5 gallon bucket of paint while hanging from a rope attached to the top of the silo.
Sinnett has a passion for public art. He believes it enhances life for everyone. He likes the idea of taking something that already exists and redefining it. He says, “The finished mural will be a gift to the Oklahoma community, to all passing travelers, and a destination for those who appreciate public art.”
Look for this Gallery story about artist Rick Sinnett and his Oklahoma project “This Land” in September.
Author: Janna Smith
The Silo Art Project
Written by David Tamez on Wednesday June 12, 2013
The Gallery Staff has been following Rick Sinnett’s “Silo Art Project” since September of 2012; Sinnett has been raising money and brainstorming the project for over 2 years. His mural “This Land” is approximately 120 feet wide by 100 feet tall and covers the north and south sides of the grain silos of Rocktown Climbing Gym. “This Land,” is a colorful mural that includes Oklahoma icons such as: the American Bison, the Scissortail Flycatcher, Indian paintbrush flowers, wheat, the earth below, sun beams radiating overhead and the Oklahoma River- each figure speaks to an element of Oklahoma.
Driving down I-40 just south of Bricktown you can see that the project is well underway with coats of light blue paint covering most of the silo. To paint the base coat, Sinnett and his crew of volunteers handle a 5 gallon bucket of paint while hanging from a rope attached to the top of the silo.
Sinnett has a passion for public art. He believes it enhances life for everyone. He likes the idea of taking something that already exists and redefining it. He says, “The finished mural will be a gift to the Oklahoma community, to all passing travelers, and a destination for those who appreciate public art.”
Look for this Gallery story about artist Rick Sinnett and his Oklahoma project “This Land” in September.
From the Vine
Written by David Tamez on Friday June 7, 2013
Gourd Art featured on OETA's Gallery
Lawton resident, John Hernandez passionately creates an uncommon work of art made from gourds. Hernandez turns a common gourd into a colorful creation. Gourd art is an artistic tradition that began ten thousand years ago. It is an ancient tradition among the indigenous peoples of the Americas, notably the central highland people of Peru, the Navajo, Hopi and Pueblo nations of the American Southwest. Gourd art is also a tradition in Africa and Asia, and the Nuxálk and Haida nations of British Columbia.
Hernandez uses paint and pine needles to make these organic gourd pieces. To help carry on this artistic tradition Hernandez also teaches gourd art classes at the Museum of the Great Plains in Lawton where he is the museum director. In addition, he travels around Oklahoma to teach classes to those who are eager to learn. As the Director of the Museum of the Great Plains, Hernandez continually promotes history and Oklahoma Culture.
Don’t miss Gallery 1307 airing June 13th featuring this unique artist.
"Capturing the Imagination"
Written by David Tamez on Tuesday October 30, 2012
One Artist from Seminole, Oklahoma is leaving her mark for all the residents of Seminole. April Jones was raised in Seminole and feels it a duty of hers to create art for everyone to enjoy. Jones’ current project has placed her high in the sky to paint a colorful and playful mural to welcome children and families into the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum. Some of Jones’ other work includes: several murals inside the museum which spark a child’s imagination, and a large mural downtown that tells some of the history of her beloved town. For her current project, April draws inspiration from the community, the museum, children, and especially her family.
Watch her story on the next Gallery! | July 18th @ 7pm
