The wind will come sweeping down the plain on Thursday, Oct. 13, as “Oklahoma!” opens at Sterling College. The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical will run Oct. 13-15 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 16, at 2 p.m. in Culbertson Auditorium in Spencer Hall at Sterling College.

“Oklahoma!”, a classic of musical theatre and romance, is set in a Western Indian territory around the time of Oklahoma’s statehood. As Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, fall in love during the rivalry between cowboys and local farmers, their relationship must endure many twists and turns as they begin to make a life together.

“We have had so much fun putting together this musical that I can’t wait to share it with the community. Joining some of our talented upperclassmen who are familiar to the Sterling College stage are several new faces, which always creates and excitement as the show approaches. I’m proud of this group and hope the community will come to see this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic,” said Mark Clark, director for “Oklahoma!” and assistant professor of music.

Ticket prices continue from last year at $10 for adults and $5 for students, children and seniors. Advance tickets are available until 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, through Ticketleap at sterling.edu/theatre. The box office will open at 6:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Doors open 30 minutes before the show.

The music for “Oklahoma!” was written by Richard Rodgers with book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is based on the play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs, and original dances were choreographed by Agnes de Mille.

Leading the “Oklahoma!” cast is Ben Millhouse of Sterling, Kansas, as Curly and Cassidy Woodard of Abilene, Kansas, as Laurey. The cast also includes: Ethan Long of Salina, Kansas, as Will Parker; Alyssa Hershey of Wichita, Kansas, as Ado Annie; Isaac Peña of Dodge City, Kansas, as Jud Fry; Micah Watney of Sterling, Kansas, as Ali Hakim; Katie O’Brien of Upland, California, as Gertie Cummings; and Bobby Foster of Sterling, Kansas, as Andrew Carnes.

Men’s Ensemble includes: Josh Williams of Saint Louis, Missouri, as Ike Skidmore; Micah Black of McPherson, Kansas, as Fred; Jon Harding of Washington, Kansas, as Slim; Landon Rhoadarmer of Clearwater, Kansas, as Cord Elam; Andrew Stansbury of Lorraine, Kansas, as Jess; Derrick Hogan of Rodeo, California, as Zeke; Seth Rogers of Peck, Kansas, as Mike; Andrew Percic of Lombard, Illinois, as Joe; and Brandon Peterson of Apple Valley, California, as Bo.

Women’s Ensemble includes: Kalie King of Corona, California, as Ellen; Jordan Himes of Eureka, Kansas, as Kate; Joannah Maxwell of Corona, California as Vivian; Abbey Pickering of Clearwater, Kansas, as Virginia; Courtney Swanson of Corona, California, as Sylvie; Kyra McGuire of Wichita, Kansas, as Armina; Rebecca Knauss of Abilene, Kansas, as Agnus; Hannah Pugh of Phillipsburg, Kansas, as Hortense; Rebecca Winsky of Salina, Kansas, as Ruth; and Dani Goldberg of Corona, California, as Dream Ballet Laurey.

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.